August 31, 2026 - 10:58:22
Our first report from the central portion of the state comes from Amanda over at Jersey Hooker Outfitters At the top of her list was the good bass fishing in the deeper water on the edges of the sunken trees in Manasquan Reservoir. On the other hand the waters just above the timber is giving up some good catches of crappies on small jigs tipper with Gulp and plasticbaits. Local ponds and lakes such as Lake Carasaljo, Lake Riviera, Lake of the Lilies and Spring Lake are supplying some decent crappie and panfish, along with some bass on small jigs tipped with live minnows, Plastics and one inch Gulp fished under floats in the evening. Lastly she told us pickerel fishing has also picked up the nearby cedar waters on live lined killies.
August 31, 2026 - 10:58:14
“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.
August 31, 2026 - 10:57:55
Rich at Jersey Hooker Outfitters said the inshore fluke bite has been a mixed bag, with some anglers struggling through mostly shorts while others are putting together impressive catches of keepers. The Axel through the Garden State North Reef has been fishing well, with productive water ranging from 30 to 50 feet from Sandy Hook down to Barnegat Light also holding bluefish and bonito. The river continues to produce fluke, while crabbing in the creeks has slowed as the crabs appear to have moved out into the bay. Anglers are still finding plenty of them in the bay, however. Blowfish are also showing up around the mouth of the canal on the Barnegat Bay side, giving anglers another option for some fast-paced action.
August 24, 2026 - 10:24:06
We received some hopeful word from Amanda over at Jersey Hooker Outfitters as she said water levels were also decent in the middle of the state; hopefully we will have more sporadic rains to keep down the fire threat in the Pine Barrens. She said pickerel fishing in the cedar water should get an early start in mid to late September. Manasquan Reservoir which had a great summer should continue to produce good fishing for bass and crappies in September. Most of the local lakes and ponds have good quality water and were fishing well for bass, crappies, pickerel and panfish, especially Lake Carasaljo, Lake Manetta, Lake Riviera, Trilco and Lake of the Lilies.
August 24, 2026 - 10:24:00
Amanda from Jersey Hooker Outfitters says it’s been on again-off again with bluefin in the Bacardi area. Not much happening with yellowfin, but it’s been steady with mahi on small chunks and jigs around the mid-range and canyon pots.
August 24, 2026 - 10:23:50
Rich at Jersey Hooker Outfitters said blowfish are beginning to show in greater numbers throughout the local bays and rivers. The Manasquan River is holding plenty of fluke, although anglers are having to work hard and sort through the shorts to find keepers. Ocean anglers are also pushing farther east in search of better-sized fluke. Crabbing remains excellent in Barnegat Bay, while snapper blues are growing larger and providing increasingly spirited action. Larger bluefish are seemingly everywhere, from the surf out to 35 feet of water, giving anglers plenty of opportunities to tangle with hard-charging fish.
