Southern New Jersey Fishing Report- July 13, 2023

Bluefin tuna are riled up in the mid-shore region, yellowfin and bigeye are caught on chunks and on the troll, and fluke are biting well around ocean reefs and wrecks.

by Captain Brett Taylor

The bluefin tuna scene exploded over the past week with a number of sushi-grade tuna caught within a few miles of the beaches.  Anglers trolling spreader bars, feathers and jigging have been catching them during the early morning hours.  Flounder fishing has hit the “on” switch in the ocean as most of the wrecks, snags, and reef sites have numbers of fish on them.  It seems from most of the tackle shops there is plenty of life on the reefs, but you have to work for keepers.  The bay fishing took a slight dip in numbers of keepers, but there has been good amounts of shorts, dogfish, rays, and weakfish.  Anglers interested in pelagics are finding decent numbers in the canyons with bigeye, yellowfin, and some deep drop tilefish.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             


Here is this week’s rundown: 

Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River said the crabbing has been very good along parts of Good Luck Point and areas south.  The east side of the bay has had some small snappers off of the docks.  The majority of the flounder fishing has been further south around the “BI” and “BB” markers.  Island Beach State Park has been good for fluke and small bluefish off the beaches.  The Barnegat Inlet has small stripers hitting plugs and poppers during the first hour of sun-up. 

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said there was a solid fluke bite at the “BI” and “BB” markers, otherwise it’s been mainly ocean bite at the reef sites.  The tires had some nice fish being landed to 8 pounds.  There are some spike weakfish around during the late evening tides.  Bluefin tuna have been in the 3 to 8 mile range East of Barnegat Inlet.

Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown reported another busy week running double charters every day.  The skipper has been averaging 6 to 7 keepers per 4 hour bay trips.  The crew ran their first 5hr ocean charter and boxed 6 keeper fluke to 23 inches, a limit of sea bass, and triggerfish.   

The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been running charters for bottom fishing and the skipper has been putting customers on sea bass and flounder.  The boat will be running offshore for yellowfin in the coming weeks. 

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin had a good word of bluefin being landed a few miles outside of Barnegat Inlet along with a few sightings of cobia.  Yellowfin tuna have been at the southern canyons.  The inshore reef sites from Barnegat to Little Egg have been holding good numbers of fluke and sea bass.  Anglers working squid and minnows have been scoring on some larger fluke.   

Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported a good number of short fluke in Great Bay and points south, but keepers to 6 pounds have been in the mix.  The deeper channels have been producing on the incoming tides.  Bridges and some of the marshes have been the choice spots for sheepshead.  The shop said to drop down crab in 5 foot increments next to bridge structure to find them.  The canyons have been hopping with yellowfin and bigeye tuna which have been caught on the chunk and troll.

Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point weighed in a solid bigeye tuna at close to 205 pounds and it was caught in the canyons over the past few days.  The pelagic bite has been very good offshore as well as several bluefin being found inshore.  The reef sites have been producing better numbers of keepers as compared to the bay.  Anglers working 3 to 4 oz bucktails tipped with Gulp has been the ticket for larger fluke.  There have been plenty of toothy critters off the beaches to keep the night-time  

Badfish Charters in Ocean City has been running charters and putting clients on summer flounder.  The bays have been good for shorts while keepers have been on the tougher side.  Capt. Brian has openings in the coming weeks for charters, so give him a call. 

The Cape May area reported flounder and sea bass being caught from the reef sites with the Wildwood and Reef site #11 producing the best results.  Anglers working jigs and Gulp have been producing the best results.  The Delaware Bay has good numbers of weakfish, croakers, and sheepshead from some of the structured areas.  The beaches have had a pick of small bluefish, flounder, and kingfish.  The Fortascue area had a pick of bluefish and keeper flounder to 20 inches.  Offshore action has been very hot as yellowfin and bigeye are hitting in the canyons. 

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

The best bet for the weekend would be to hit the reef sites that lie off southern jersey as most are peppered with fluke and sea bass.  Bucktails or jigheads from 2 to 6 oz tipped with Gulp or fish bellies will do the trick.  Squid and spearing or killie combinations will work also, so don’t count them out.  I would suggest bringing a larger class rod and reel equipped with a jig or bucktail as there have been numerous cobia around.  Don’t count out a bluefin tuna in the mix.  Just make sure to have a NMFS tuna permit if harvesting them.  Surf fisherman have excellent opportunities to work the beaches for fluke, kingfish, and small bluefish.  Night tides are best for the toothy critters which should be quickly released.  Another option for the weekend would be to jump on a larger vessel and take the ride to the canyons for pelagic tuna, but it doesn’t look like a great weather window.  Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines! 

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