Southern New Jersey Fishing Report- August 3, 2023
As we officially enter August it still sounds like a broken record, but fishing continued it’s excellent action over the past week. Ocean fluke fishing continued being very hot off the reef sites. Meanwhile, cobia, spanish mackerel and bluefin tuna produced a solid bite along the inshore ridges. Offshore fishing produced some solid yellowfin action at the canyons and several mahi to 20+ pounds were reported from various shops. The only negative has been the bay fishing as warmer water temperatures has increased the keeper ratios to 10-12 to 1. Sheepshead, triggerfish, and tautog are available at most south jersey bridges, pilings, or underwater structure. The surf fishing scene was tougher over the past week as the winds and sea conditions made it tougher for anglers.
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reported a very good bite on bluefish and some spanish mackerel along the beaches of Island Beach State Park. The park is also good for fluke off the beaches. Bayside has still been solid for blowfish, kingfish, and some fluke off the main channels.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown in Waretown said the bite in the ocean is very good, but the issue has been the winds for most anglers. Bay fishing is showing keeper ratios of 10 to 1, but the action is decent. Blowfish has started to pickup over the past week around the areas of the “BI” and “BB” markers. Offshore fishing has been solid for yellowfin and mahi, while the inshore bite on bluefin was hot.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown continued to pick at fluke in the bay as several booked ocean trips turned into bay trips due to the winds. Bay action has been decent with 10 to 1 ratios. Most bay trips are seeing 40 to 50 fish and 4 to 5 keeper fluke along with some weakfish to 18 inches.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light continued to work the bottom for fluke and sea bass with several parties doing well on both species. The offshore trips have scored decent yellowfin and mahi.
Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin said the inshore bluefin bite continued to show decent fish from 5 to 15 miles out. Trolling or using fresh baits to drop on the schools has been the ticket. The offshore bite has been very good on yellowfin, bigeye, and mahi at the canyons. Inshore fishing on the wrecks and reef sites has been producing fluke, triggerfish, and some sea bass.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported good action in the canyons on yellowfin and mahi up to 25 pounds. Anglers deep dropping have been finding several nice tilefish along with a sword or two. Inshore fishing at the area reef sites has been the best spots to find keeper fluke over the past week. 3 to 6 oz bucktails tipped with large strip baits or Gulp has been working. The bays are more challenging in terms of keeper fluke, but the bridges have been consistent for sheepshead, tautog, and weakfish at night.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point had excellent reports on sheepshead to 12 pounds off some of the backbay snags. Anglers reported good action on tautog off the jetties and bridges. The shop weighed in a solid fluke close to 9 pounds this past week caught by angler Joe Robb. The beaches were alive with fluke, kingfish, croakers and spot. The shop has lots of green crabs for anglers targeting tog off the jetties.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City reported excellent flounder action over the past week with charters able to release 40+ fish while keeping a few for the table. The skipper has openings in August for bay fishing.
The Cape May area had solid reports of kingfish, croakers, and cocktail bluefish off the beaches. Small pieces of squid, fishbites, or clam has been working. Flounder fishing continued to be hot off the Cape May reef site and Reef site #11. Large bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp or strip baits has been the ticket to keepers. Anglers working the early or late tides have been finding a few weakfish along parts of Delaware Bay. The offshore scene was red hot on yellowfin, mahi, and bigeyes over the past week with boats running to the canyons. Vessels running to the southern canyons found some billfish action. Bay fisherman said there are a good number of short fish in the bay and along some of the main channels, but slower on keepers.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the upcoming weekend would be to hit the area reef sites as most have been on fire for ocean fluke. Depending on current and winds, 3 to 6 oz bucktails tipped with large strip baits has been the ticket. The wrecks have produced some nice keepers up to 9 pounds and this should continue for the rest of the season. The beaches are another good area to hit for a variety of species. Spanish mackerel and bluefish have been very good along the Island Beach State Park and LBI beaches. Casting small epoxy jigs or metals are excellent with target these species. Fluke are along the troughs and fan-casting a small bucktail tipped with Gulp is perfect for these lie and wait predators. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
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