It was another week where the fishing was good, if not great. The water warmed towards the weekend and a few more fish were caught, but the water temperature, and the corresponding action, should both be higher than they are right now. Keeper fluke are still being picked from the back, while the local reefs are highly subject to the ocean temperature. Let’s check things out.
The Avalon Lady is sailing in the backwaters where they have caught some keeper flounder recently. The young anglers who are in fishing camp, as well as the anglers on the open boat trips, have enjoyed the flounder action and also catching croakers and kingfish. The best action has been on the incoming tide.
The Miss Avalon is sailing every day and their patrons have been catching sea bass and flounder. Two anglers were also able to each land a keeper blackfish while the water was still cold.
The water warmed a little, and with that a few more keeper fluke started to show up. The first triggerfish of the season was also caught which is another bonus for local anglers.
The Starfish sails twice daily for sea bass, flounder, and other summer species that visit our reefs. They sail at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Cameron, from Boulevard Bait and Tackle, reports that now is the time to get to the beach if you like kingfish. The action is described as “the best kingfish bite we’ve seen in years.” All you’ll need is a light-weight setup, some small hooks, and Fishbites or bloodworms to get in on the action. Some tasty fish tacos won’t be far behind.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle reported that Kristen and Tim have experienced “some awesome” nighttime striped bass fishing recently. The recent evening high tides, and some 4-inch paddle tails, have been the key ingredients in the equation to catching fish. Also reported was a good trip for Scott and his crew who took a four-hour inshore trip with Relentless Fishing NJ. The anglers had a good outing catching bonito.
First Fish Adventures was out on a recent morning and was targeting Mahi-mahi. The family group of the three PB’s made the most of it as the youngest, Paul, led the way. He caught the first of the day, as well as the largest. Good job, PB3.
A morning trip later in the week produced a nice catch of bonito for an unnamed, but photographed, charter.
The Sailor’s Delight is busy with their regular trips, micro trips, and crabbing trips. All are doing good, but it’s the keeper fluke that draws the most attention. The anglers aboard are still pulling keeper “mud marlin” from the back, and also adding some croakers and weakfish to the coolers. The backwaters, and all the sea life there, has been providing a lot of action, and practice, for those aboard. As an example, a recent three-hour trip, with nine anglers, caught 167 fish and had a fun, busy time.
The Cape May Lady is sailing at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily and is catching kingfish, croakers and weakfish. Stop down and hop on.
The Starlight, which sails at 8 a.m., 1 p.m., and 7 p.m., has seen their patrons catching kingfish, croakers, and weakfish. You can book a trip online at starlightfleetnj.com.
No Bones Bait and Tackle reported a good crabbing trip for some of the local mates, their employees, and regular customers, the Deckers, recently. They returned with over 200 legal crabs and, needless to say, a feast was had by all.
Capt. Chuck, from the Sea Star III, reported a week with steady action on the summer flounder, but with most being throwbacks. There were some keepers mixed in, though, as well as some fine sea bass action.
Pool winners from the past week were a mixed bag. Joe Venezia won with a 1.25-pound kingfish, while Kim Gallagher (1.75 pounds) and Bill Lahr Jr. (2.0) won with sea bass. Fluke claimed the rest of the daily pools with the winners being Linda “Loo” Martin (4.25), Joe Yannul (4.3), Frank Servocky (2.95), and Linda Orsati-Wiker with a 4.25-pounder.
Capt. Mike, aboard the Miss Chris, reported that they had a good week of fishing on both the day and evening trips. His patrons filled their trips by catching croakers, weakfish and kingfish.
Ashley Grob won one of the daily pools with a 16-inch weakfish, while Anthony McElhaney finished his trip with some croakers and two throwback flounder. Janine Houser went home with 16 croakers and was planning on having “a fish taco party.”
The Miss Chris had the pleasure of having the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Program, hosted by Hall of Fame goalie Bernie Parent, aboard for a recent trip for the young members of that program. The kids “took home plenty of fish and had a blast.”
Cape May Bait and Tackle reported encouraging news as better flounder reports have started to roll in. The cold water and hard south wind made flounder fishing tough so some good news is welcomed.
The Cape May Reef area had flounder, and some bluefish, being caught. Bluefish were also at the 5-Fathom Bank where trolling Clarkspoons was successful.
The local beaches have seen flounder, mostly shorts, plus kingfish, croakers, and weakfish being caught. Minnows, spearing, and Gulp on a small jig head work best for the flounder, while Fishbites, bloodworms, and nightcrawlers, on small hooks, work for the others. The beaches have also given up some small bluefish that favor cut mullet or bunker, but will also chase small metals.
Small stripers are being caught at sunrise and sunset, or during the dark of night, on top-water lures or swim shads.
Special thanks to Cheryl Bulifant for submitting a report and pictures from a recent trip aboard the Y-Knot with Capt. Joe Gillen. Lorenzo Castiglione, 9, caught a nice Golden Tilefish while Matthew Bulifant, 10, landed a nice Mahi.
With reports of some warmer water making its way into our area, we can only hope that good fishing follows. That’s been the pattern so far, so let’s hope it continues. Fish are being caught, but it would be nice to see an uptick in the level of action. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
