Southern New Jersey Fishing Report- July 20, 2023

Triggerfish and sheepshead bite around the bridges, quality fluke and sea bass are caught around ocean reefs and wrecks, and cobia make their presence known.

by Captain Brett Taylor

We are hitting the doldrums of the summer as hot temperatures, high humidity, and afternoon storms have become the norm.  The bay fishing became a bit tighter this past week with better bites occurring around the colder, incoming tides.  The outgoing temperatures have been in the low 80’s. Unfortunately keeper flounder are not too fond of the warmer water.  Amberjack, lookdowns, and even some cobia have made their way into the some of the northern inlets.  Triggerfish and sheepshead have invaded the inshore wrecks, inlets, and backbay bridges.  Offshore action continues for pelagic species: yellowfin tuna, bigeye, mahi, and even some billfish at the canyons.  There are some major pelagic tournaments over the next several weeks.

Here is this week’s rundown: 

Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River mentioned there was some cobia activity at the Barnegat Inlet along with some small striped bass during the top of the incoming tide.  Blowfish has been better south of the Route 37 bridge along with some kingfish.  The beaches of Seaside Park and Island Beach State Park have been good for fluke action off the surf as well as small bluefish on metals and small bucktails tipped with Gulp. 

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said the bay fluke bite slowed down quite a bit in Barnegat Bay over the past week due to higher bay temperatures and dirty water caused by the winds.  Anglers have been catching some shorts, but keepers have been tough to come by.  Blowfishing has officially started with some numbers between the “BI” and “BB” markers.  Ocean fishing has been good at some of the offshore wrecks south of Holgate and keepers have been up to 7 pounds.  Bluefin tuna continue to be around at the inshore to nearshore fishing grounds. 

Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown reported another week of solid fishing through the weekend with 4 hour charters boxing up to 8 keeper fluke.  With warmer bay temperatures, the crew will be turning towards more ocean trips to target doormat fluke and sea bass. 

The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been sailing for inshore tuna during the weekends and bottom fishing for fluke and sea bass during the week.  The boat has been finding some yellowfin tuna on the offshore trips. 

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin said the bay fishing has become a tad tougher over the course of the past week with warmer water and stronger tides.  Anglers working the ocean reef sites have been faring much better in terms of keepers along with some nice sea bass.  The canyons have been loaded with yellowfin, bigeye, and some mahi off the pots. 

Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported a large number of quality sheepshead being caught along some of the Great Bay bridges.  Fiddlers, sand crabs, and mud crabs tipped on small jigs have been the top choices among bay anglers.  Local reef sites continue to be the best for keeper flounder and sea bass.  Anglers fishing on the Ocean City and Townsends site reported a few cobia in the vicinity.  Surf fisherman reported good numbers of kingfish, flounder, and some small bluefish off the suds. 

Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received positive reports from the Atlantic City and Ocean City reef sites for quality fluke and sea bass.  Bucktails tipped with Gulp and fish bellies were the top baits.  The backbays had a much harder go at keepers, although there are a good number of shorts around.  The bayside bridges of Somers Point, Ocean City, and Avalon have been solid for large sheepshead and some weakfish on the night tides.  Croakers and spot have been circulating around the bays and beaches which can easily be targeting with small pieces of clam or Fish-bites.  

Badfish Charters in Ocean City continued to work the backwaters and inshore waters to put his clients on flounder, weakfish, and some schoolie striped bass.  The skipper has openings for the month of August, so give him a ring. 

The Cape May area reported a good number of mahi in the 15 to 20 mile range as the water has been warmer offshore.  Buoys, pots, and floating debris are excellent places to try for summertime mahi.  Yellowfin and bigeyes have been reliable at the canyons with night-time chunking and early morning trolling producing the best results.  The inshore reef sites have been solid for flounder, sea bass, and triggerfish.  Wrecks in the 70 to 100 foot range have been holding good numbers of flounder.  Reef Site #11 produced some nicer flounder over the past week.  There was word of some nice cobia around the inshore lumps, so be sure to bring some heavier setups.  There has been plenty of variety as spot, croaker, weakfish, flounder, and bluefish are being caught along the beaches of Wildwood and Cape May.   

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

The best bet for the weekend would be to hit the surf fishing scene along our southern Jersey beaches or jump on a boat to work the Atlantic.  The suds have been productive with a variety of species being caught which makes it perfect to introduce kids to fishing.  Basic two-hook rigs tipped with clam, squid or Fish-bites is working for kingfish, croaker, and spot along the beaches.  Anglers working small bucktails tipped with pink-shine or chartreuse Gulp or flounder rigs are landing a large number of fluke and bluefish.  If you have the chance to jump on a boat, the inshore reef sites are great spots to start to box a few keeper fluke and a sea bass.  2 to 6 oz bucktails or jigs tipped with Gulp or strip baits are the perfect combination for larger fluke.  There have been a quite a few cobia sighted, so don’t forget to bring a larger spinning reel rigged with a jig or bucktail.  Large cobia put up excellent fights, and also are great on the grill.  Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines! 

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