As you have undoubtedly heard by now, last Saturday marked the end of the 2014 summer flounder season. For many in the Garden State, where flounder is king, this can be a very sad time of the year. And with closures or reductions of other bottom feeding species like black sea bass and tautog this year, one has to wonder what options are left on the menu. For those of you who do not limit their endeavors to one venue or species, it is definitely not panic time. There are plenty of opportunities left to choose from. The waters are still teeming with bait and are slowly moving into the target range in regard to temperatures. Provided Mother Nature doesn’t throw us a curve ball, we should be able to close this season out in style. And our job at On the Water is to keep you on the fish. We try to stay proactive, tell you what is coming down the pipe not what has already passed us by. It’s time to get the big gear tuned up and let us keep an eye on the water for you. We spend a lot of time developing a trusted scouting team. All you need to do is train for the fight. Let’s look at what we see on the horizon.
Absecon Bay
Starting in my backyard, I dropped in and spoke with Captain Dave Showell of Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center who is always monitoring the bait in the area. For those of you hoping for a spot showing, they just aren’t there. Dave has some but has been importing them from points south of Delaware Bay. There are some nice striped bass in the bay still, Dave has been nailing them in the holes of Broad and in the Main Marsh.
Atlantic City
Captain Mike on the High Roller thanks his patrons for a great fluke season. Right now, Mike and crew are waiting for the striper run to get going before he resumes sailing.
Brick
Manasquan River is giving up short bass on eels reported the crew at Jersey Hooker Outfitters in Brick. Tog fishing is good in the Point Pleasant Canal, but keep in mind, the limit is still 1 fish per day. Crabbing is very good in the creeks. The snapper blues seem to be on the move, with many heading for the inlet getting ready to make their fall migration.
Egg Harbor Township
Albies are biting well on Barnegat Ridge reported Brian at Tackle Direct. The northern canyons are holding good numbers of yellowfin tuna and dolphin Brian said, but expect to deal with a lot of weeds out there. In the surf, Brian says the kingfish bite is on.
Manahawkin
The beaches are alive with bluefish in the 4- to 5-pound range. Striper fishing is slow in the surf, but there are short fish being caught in Barnegat Inlet. In the bay, the blowfish bite is on. Boats are catching unfathomable numbers of puffers by chumming and fishing with small bits of clam.
Point Pleasant
The Voyager hit the dock with 61 tuna from their recent canyon run. Most were 60- to 80-pound yellowfin, but there were a few longfin in the mix reported Jason at Fishermen’s Supply Co. The Mud Hole is producing bonito, albies and small mahi for trollers. Bottom fishermen working the same waters are doing okay with ling.
On the beaches, 20- to 28-inch bass are being caught. In the river, soft plastics and plugs are producing 18- to 22-inch stripers. Some fishermen are scaling down their tackle and catching hickory shad. These fish are very aggressive and jump like crazy when they feel the hook. Jason also mentioned that the BI and BB Buoy is holding good fishing for puffers.
According to the crew at Reel Life Bait and Tackle, the Point Pleasant Canal is loaded with blackfish and small stripers. In Manasquan Inlet, small bluefish are biting metal lures. There have been some larger bluefish lurking around the schools of adult bunker moving around the ocean side. Longfin are biting well in the canyons, and swordfishing is pretty good for overnight boats.
Seaside Park
John at Betty and Nicks said the surf is loaded with 18 to 24 inch bluefish. The blues are taking metal and fresh mullet. Stripers are also running the beach. Metals are working for them as well, as are clams. John thinks these stripers are the resident fish that spend the summer in New Jersey, rather than the first wave of the fall run.
Word from The Dock Outfitters is that the bluefish bite in the surf is lit up. One fishermen caught more than 50 one day this week. Clams and bunker are taking a few short bass, and seem to be working better than mullet or artificial lures.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Get some light tackle, some metal and get after the bluefish in the surf. Hopping on a party boat that’s headed for the canyons would be a great option as well, with the tuna bite red hot right now.