New Jersey & Delaware Bay - Northern New Jersey Fishing Reports

Fishing along the northern coast the week before the Fourth of July saw some good catches but fewer fishermen. One observation I got from several people I spoke with was that it’s a good possibility that some people were saving their fuel for Independence Day activities. Which could well be true as the high price of fuel is taking its toll on most Americans and fishing is no different. When it comes to the fishing fluke got the number one billing with some better numbers of flatties being seen in Raritan Bay and in the ocean. In the bay warmer water temps and bringing in more fish and some of the bigger fluke are moving into the deeper water. As to the ocean most of the better fishing is over rough bottoms in the deeper water. Bluefish also saw some better numbers of cocktails supplying the fishing in the bay and slammers from cocktails to 10 pounds being caught in the ocean. Porgy catches really took a big jump with scup to 17 inches being caught along the north side of the bay and off the Rockaways. The addition of two sea bass a trip is giving bottom fishermen a few more fish for the freezer and crabbing is picking up along the south side of the bay and in the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers. A big thresher was caught this past week and some stripers are being caught after dark in the back bay waters. Last but not least reports on the tuna were scarce this past week, but rumors of tuna being spotted off the Hook were also heard.