With the passing of Erin, it’s time to get out on the water. Now, as to what we’ll find when the captains and anglers get to fish the reefs again remains to be seen. Will the fluke, sea bass and triggerfish that have fueled our summer fishing still be there? Only time, and the opportunity to fish those areas, will provide the answers. Let’s see what the early returns say.
Captain Chuck, from the Sea Star III, reported that the week that Erin passed was basically a lost week. The weather, and building waves and swells, kept them and others tied up at the dock.
Saturday was the first day Captain Chuck got back on the water, and the anglers aboard were forced to deal with a big swell. The result was that the “fluke did not like it.” Sea bass and croakers were around and biting, and this allowed Jack Auxer to be the first post-storm pool winner with a 1.7-pound sea bass.
Sunday again saw croakers and sea bass providing most of the action, but there was one keeper fluke caught. It was a nice 5-pounder that easily won the pool for Kevin Nelson. Hopefully, this is a sign that fishing will return to what it was before the storm. We’ll be watching eagerly to see how things develop.
As the week progressed so did the fishing. By Tuesday, the swell was dropping down and more fish were being caught, and that scenario moved on to Wednesday, where the situation continued to progress, as one angler even got his fluke limit. Captain Chuck reported that fluke, sea bass, croakers and even a small bluefish were being caught on both of the days mentioned.
Captain Mike, on the Miss Chris, is sailing two trips daily at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. He has been fishing between the Cape May Point area and the local reefs. They are catching a mixed bag, depending on the location they are fishing, of fluke, sea bass, weakfish, croakers, kingfish and triggerfish.
The Atlantic Adventure, and Captain Adam, are back at it after the storm. They are fishing for fluke, sea bass and triggerfish at the local reefs and also running their new, and popular, ribbonfish trips. In addition to their different fishing options, they also offer diving trips through Atlantic Divers. Reach out to Captain Adam at atlanticadventuresnj.com.
The Miss Avalon and the Avalon Lady continue to fish for fluke, sea bass, triggerfish and croakers. Ocean or back bay and inlet fishing is available depending on which boat you choose and what you’re after.
Moran’s Dockside Bait and Tackle reported that fishing is good around the rock piles and sea walls in the Avalon area. These areas seemed to have been a place where the fish congregated, and the anglers took advantage of that.
Highlighted catches of a big tog and some nice sheepshead were made by Christian, Eric, Charlie and Vincenzo. Frozen sand fleas were the bait of choice that these fish fell for. And let’s also send out a happy birthday wish to Ethan, who recently celebrated his big day.
The Starfish, from Sea Isle, announced that on every Wednesday in September they will be running 8-hour flounder fishing trips. They will leave the dock at 8 a.m.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle reported that an angler, Ken, stopped by to get some green crabs for a post-storm outing. On the first crab he dropped in the water Ken caught a 24.75-inch, 8.55-pound sheepshead. That’s a good return on his investment.
The Sailor’s Delight back bay fishing fleet was back on the water not long after Erin left our area. They found water described as “filthy” but the bite was there, albeit slow to start, but then reported as slowly improving. Flounder, both throwbacks and some keepers, were reported during that first trip back on the water. That obviously is a good sign. As the changing tides flush out the fouled water, it would seem that decent fishing should follow.
After more trips over the following days, more keeper flounder, plus bluefish, kingfish, spot and croakers were being caught. The fishing is improving as hoped for and should only improve as we move along.
The Starlight had a nice Wednesday trip to the reefs as Captain Paul took the wheel. Those aboard landed some nice fluke, showing that Captain Paul still has the touch. Also, before the storm passed through, Captain Ernie was getting it done as he too put his patrons on some nice fluke. As the water calms and becomes cleaner, the good fishing hopefully will follow suit.
With fishing rebounding after the storm, and with a shorter holiday reporting time, we had a lighter column this week. The holiday weekend should provide more fishing opportunities, so hopefully the good results we had earlier in August will return as we roll into September. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
