Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - May 14, 2020

Above: Fisherman’s Headquarters reported a nice pick of bigger striped bass this week with most being caught on the troll.  

“The big bass are here!”  This was the sentiment from most of our South Jersey shops as many anglers practicing social distancing found Striped Bass up to 46 inches.  The majority of the action was on wire-line bunker spoons or braid mojo setups.  Most of the bass were in the 50 to 65 foot range.  Bunker schools should start to show with more regularity as the water warms and schools migrate up the coast.  Another exciting development will be the official opening of the Sea Bass season, but unfortunately New Jersey has not opened up charter or party boat fishing as of the writing of this report.  So recreational anglers with sea-going vessels are the only participants in the party as of now.

Here is this week’s rundown:

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had decent Striped Bass reports for anglers trolling around the Seaside pipe and pier area with most of the action occurring on chartreuse mojos.  Some of the bass were in the 40 to 48 inch range.  The North jetty of the inlet is producing smaller, school sized stripers with consistency on 3/4 to 1oz jig heads tipped with soft plastics.  Crabbing in the bay is getting much better over past week, especially in the warmer back lagoons.  Anglers working clam baits and chum are finding decent numbers of Blowfish with the areas from BB to Route 72 bridge producing the best.

Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown / Barnegat Light continues to scout and run family  trips as all charters are waiting for the Governor’s green light.  The skipper has had a good amount of time on the new skiff and has christened the vessel with Striped Bass and Fluke on the fly.  The crew is booking trips for opening Fluke (May 22nd) and beyond as they await the state’s decision and trips are fully refundable if still not permitted to sail.

The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light is waiting as all party, head-boats, and charters are unable to run due to COVID-19.  The boat is booking trips for the end of May and June if New Jersey permits charter and head-boat operation.

Fisherman’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island reported a nice pick of bigger Striped Bass this week with most being caught on the troll.  Some anglers were able to find a few isolated schools of bunker for snag-n-drop action. Blowfishing has been very good in the bay for boaters working the chum slick with clam.  Surf fisherman are reporting Striped Bass during the morning and evening tides with plugs and poppers.  There has been a few Bluefish caught around the bridges and also picked up trolling between the BB and 42 markers.

Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon had some quality reports of Striped Bass to 42 inches picking up baits off the sands and boaters picking up bass to 46 inches on the troll.  The back-bays still have plenty of smaller bass with a few keepers mixed in.  The sods, sedges, and openings of the tidal creeks are the places to look at.  Sea Bass opens tomorrow and anglers should have good catches at the local reef sites.  The shop is open for limited participation in the store and curbside pickups.

Offshore Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City reported outstanding fishing at the AC inlet on weakfish up to 24 inches.  Bloodworms and soft plastics have been the hot lures or baits of choice.  Striped Bass are also around with some nice fish to 35 inches.  The shop is open and has a wide variety of baits, including fresh clam perfect for the Sea Bass opener.

Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported decent catches of Weakfish in the back bays and Corson’s inlet  along with Striped Bass to 32 inches.  There has even been some Fluke caught as by-catch which bodes well for next week’s opener.  Anglers working the troll along the 3 mile line have reported some bass to 40+ inches on Stretch plugs, Mojos, and spoons.  The local reefs should be loaded with Sea Bass for tomorrow’s opener and the shop has received fresh clam baits.

Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters reported that a few post-spawn fish from down south are moving through the nearshore waters of South Jersey right now. In the bays, the flats continue to load up with smaller baitfish, and more fluke are keeping fishermen busy between stripers on the flats.

Sea Isle Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle is operating at their regular hours 6am to 6pm seven days a week and the fishing has been very good in the area.  Anglers are scoring on Weakfish around the inlets with bloodworms and soft plastics.  The shop just received a fresh load of Bunker as the Striped Bass bite has been heating up on chunked bunker from the beaches.  Sea Bass opens tomorrow and anglers should be able to box limits.

Avalon Hodge Podge in Avalon had some good reports of life around the Avalon and Sea Isle area with Striped Bass being caught from the bridges and inlets.  In addition to the bass, there were some nice Weakfish mixed in.  The shop is stocked with plenty of clams for the Sea Bass opener and they recommend hitting the local reef sites.

Jersey Bait & Tackle in North Wildwood is still closed and there have been no news on when the shop will re-open for the season.

Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Court House is fully open for business and has bloodworms as they have been the hot bait this week for Striped Bass and Weakfish along the jetties, inlet and Cape May Ferry terminal.  The Drum bite has been very good the last 2 weeks and should continue as more fish move in.

Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May has been taking clam orders as the DE Bay Drum bite has been on-fire.  Most of the usual sloughs are producing quality Drum, especially around the moon phases.  The inlet and jetties are producing some Striped Bass and boats working the 3 mile line have reported some nice Striped Bass.  Sea Bass opens tomorrow, so give the shop a call for clams.

Greenhorn Outdoors in Bridgeton reported anglers cashing in on Drum on the Delaware closer to Cape May area and Striped Bass are being caught along most of the bay.  Bunker is the bait of choice as anglers are chunking them from the surf and boats.  There are still plenty of shorts in the rivers for light-tackle action. 

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

The best bet for this weekend is to either target “trophy” sized Striped Bass on the troll or look for nervous bunker schools for snag-n-drop action.  With the new Striped Bass regulations, most of these bigger fish will be catch and release so hold them gently, get a pic, and return to them to the water as quick as you can.  The bays are still alive with bass and some nicer Bluefish are starting to trickle in.  I personally would work areas in the 4- to 6-foot range with yellow and white poppers as blues are a blast to catch this time of year.  Sea Bass is open and anglers should work wrecks in the 55- to 80-foot range to put a quick limit in the boat.  Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!