New Jersey & Delaware Bay - New Jersey & Delaware Bay Offshore Fishing Reports

“The yellowfin really haven’t settled in yet, but some are being caught on butterfish and sardine chunks the canyons, deep,” shared Jorden at Creekside Outfitters. The inshore pots, flotsam and weed mats are hosting solid numbers of chicken and a bit-bigger mahi. Light tackle fun. Live peanuts and killies, and epoxy jigs all icing the mini dorado.

Tyler at Fisherman’s Headquarters advises probing the Hudson, Lindenkohl and Spencer for reasonable shots at yellowfin and the occasional bigeye. Trolling still the gig, but he’s anticipating September’s transition to the chunk. Pot hopping is producing good counts of various size mahi that are glomming Hogy epoxy jigs, chunks o’ butters, and sardines. Some nice cobia being caught around the pots as well.

“Tough. It’s been tough,” lamented a frustrated Jason from Fishermen’s Supply when we briefly made contact early Sunday afternoon. The yellowfin quarry was few and far between, but there was some rod bending being had via the green 19-inch ChatterLures side tracker. He figures the fish are on the move, prognosticating that from the Dip to the Lindenkohl could offer the best opportunities for contact. Mahi of all sizes ready and willing to whack at the pots and flotsam in the Glory Hole and Chicken Canyon.

Our source at Gabriel Tackle Company points to the Monster Ledge when it comes to encounters with marlin and mahi. Bluefin are being hit here and there on the 19- and 26-inch ChattterLures side tracker at the Monster Ledge and shipping lanes. He shared that color pattern did not matter.

“Mahi as close as six miles. Hearing about big numbers around the lobster gear at the Shark River Reef, the Oil Wreck, and around the Klondike,” relayed Capt. Rich from Jersey Hooker Outfitters. He noted that the mahi were finicky and offered that live killies are the choice when the bite is tough. ChatterLures side trackers are taking bluefin in the shipping lanes, and the lumps and bumps.

Capt. Cool Ray Lopez from Miss Liane Sportfishing says there are yellowfin out along the shelves, but it’s a hit-or-miss scenario. “But,” he adds, “if you hit it right, it’s lights out fishing.” Trolling is still the main game, but chunking will soon be in full mode. An open boat trip once a week; call for updates.

Ted at the Reel Seat was enthusiastic talking mahi. From chickens to 15-pound gaffers, it’s been lots of rod bending when tossing pink Hogy epoxy jigs and cut baits. Some bluefin being nailed around the windmills and along the Manasquan and Barnegat ridges on spreader bars and chains. Look to the East Wall and the 100 Square in the Hudson for Sterling Tackle and ChatterLures tracker opportunities at yellowfin.

Justin from Fin-Atics had intel about scatterings of yellowfin from 40 to 60 pounds being hit on 18- and 36-inch Sterling wide trackers and also ballyhoo for those putting in the time between weather and conditions. What has the place jumping is the traffic chasing the cobia 5 to 6 miles out. A former employee and buds picked a window in the gnarly weather and went 5-for-5 on fish to 40 pounds. All were caught on live eels.

“The mid-range pots are loaded with mahi in the 18- to 36-inch class. Lots of fun on light tackle,” enthused Nick at Hands Too Bait & Tackle. Sardine chunks putting fish on ice. He’d heard of a few yellowfin being caught on the troll, but he’s of the opinion that many have moved north. Tilefish action remains hot, with mixed size goldens being caught around 450 feet, and bluelines around 300-350 feet. Salmon belly strips continue the top tile taker.

Jason from South Jersey Marina points to the Lindenkohl and Washington where “A whole lot of white marlin are being caught on ballyhoo,” he said. Manic mahi activity is happening around the lobster balls. Dorado ranging from chickens to bulls are waxing pitched sardine chunks, small jigs, and trolled small ballyhoo. Jason had one weighing 35 pounds brought in. Not to be overlooked is the stellar deep dropping for mixed size golden tiles in the canyons.