September 21, 2026 - 10:33:14
At Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven the report was of 1- to 3-pound bluefish becoming more frequent as metals, poppers and cut baits are working to get bit. Expect to see a few more bluefish weigh-ins this season in the LBI Surf Fishing Classic. Some kingfish are still milling around on the sandbars sucking up Fishbites baits, there’s enough of them around to put a decent meal together. Fluke are still the standard catch up and down LBI in the late summer, with larger fish seemingly around Barnegat Inlet or Holgate.
September 21, 2026 - 10:33:03
Steve from Jingles Bait & Tackle was in an upbeat mood when we made contact early Sunday afternoon. While he acknowledged that snotty weather precluded boats getting to the mid-range and offshore areas, he saw a silver lining. Said Steve, “The nor’easter this week is going to push water around. Hopefully some good water moves up from the south and gets into the Hudson. If that happens, I expect the fishing for yellowfin and bigeye to get going.”
September 21, 2026 - 10:32:57
Steve at Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven said the LBI Surf Fishing Classic recorded its first striper weigh-in of the season, with Danyaal landing an 8.15-pounder measuring 29.5 inches on a plug. Steve is looking forward to the fall run getting into full swing, with plenty of fluke, kingfish, and smaller bluefish showing up in weigh-ins throughout late September. Pat Conti weighed in a 1.65-pound bluefish measuring 16.5 inches, caught on a lure, while Pat Gallen brought in a .7-pound, 12.75-inch kingfish caught on Fishbites. Lisa Conti also checked in a solid 2.2-pound fluke measuring 18-3/8 inches, caught in Holgate on Gulp.
