The Fishing Line

Fall fishing is a wonderful thing, if the weather holds out. Hurricanes come and go, and when they go, the fishers will be out there.
Ron Flemming, Cape May Bait & Tackle, says that around Cape May Point, croaker action remains steady with increased size and numbers caught. Last weekly prize-winner is Andrew Cannuli with a 19 ¼ inch-1 ½ pound fluke (caught before the deadline).
A few snapper blue blitz’s were reported with most fish between 10 and 12 inches. Weakfish to 18 inches were caught around the Point jetties at sunrise and sunset, using Gulp, minnows, and bloodworms for bait.
Small stripers seem to be on the increase along the beaches, and even more around the inlets and sod banks. Small plugs, crystal minnows, and clam work best.
Grassy Sound Marina reports small sheepshead being caught, along with kings, weakies, and bluefish. Sea bass are keeping the kids occupied and some nice stripers were weighed in.
Kevin Mitchell, Wildwood, and Michael Harbora, Marlton fishing their secret spot had nine stripers with two keepers to 31 inches using eels.
Dave OBrien, Voorhees, caught shad, croaker, and lots of sea bass fishing off the Grassy Sound Fishing Pier and George Gunning, Plymouth Meeting, Pa., fishing on a Grassy Sound Marina rental boat caught a sheepshead, sea bass, and a short striper.
Sterling Harbor reports that croakers kingfish and weakfish have been up at Cape May Point. Spot have invaded the beach and are being caught all along Wildwood beachfront on fish bites or bloodworms.
Small stripers are along the back-bay sod banks on top water plugs, mainly on the high tides.
A few bluefin tuna are being caught near the Lobster Claw while chunking, jigging and trolling, but the bite is slowing down there.
Bluefin are being caught while trolling near the Elephant Trunk. Scott Nave of Wildwood, weighed in a 91-pound bluefin caught near there while trolling a blue and white Ilander lure and Ballyhoo on the Big Bully II out of Wildwood. (photo on SeeMyBigFish.com)
Charter Coordinator at South Jersey Marina, Charlie Langan’s recent reports include the Big Game with six yellowfin and one bluefin that weighed 135 pounds; Slammer brought back nine yellowfin; and Top Shelf with two nice yellowfin and an 18-pound dolphin. Most of these were caught around the Elephant Trunk.
Slammer, on an overnight trip, had a giant tiger shark and a blacktip shark up to the boat and released. They also had a 90-pound bluefin and two dolphin that they brought back to the dock. (Photo on SeeMyBigFish.com)
Croakers on the inshore trips have become abundant and they’re all a real nice size. Several boats have brought back coolers full of them. Call Charlie at 884-3800 for reservations.
Hooked Up II, also out of South Jersey Marina, continues a great season. They recently found the ‘mother lode’ of big bluefin, all in the 100-160 pound range. Captain John says they could not put a jig in for 30 seconds without getting slammed by a bluefin. They were 15 miles closer to Cape May and even caught some nice 40-pound yellowfins caught at this location.
Captain Brook Koeneke of the Duke O’ Fluke has dropped Tuesdays and Thursdays from his weekly schedule of half-day fishing. It’s always best to check with for revised schedules.
Recent entry in the Cape May County Fishing Tournament: Bob Falck of Erma, Fluke, 8-pounds 4-ounces caught at Hereford Inlet.
Ocean City Fishing Tournament, Saturday, Sept. 20, along four miles of beach. Registration 5:30 a.m.-6:30 a.m., Ocean City Intermediate School, 18th Street and Bay Avenue., teams up to six anglers $50; individuals $10. Fish from 6:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Locations chosen by a drawing at registration, Bill Daley at 609-398-5625.
Surf Fishing Clinic, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park, no experience needed, women only, at least 18 years old, equipment and bait provided, $15. Space is limited. Registration form at njfishandwildlife.com/njoutdoors.htm. Fee will be refunded at the class.
Clinic for the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament, Oct. 5, $10. Equipment supplied but participants responsible for bait, 748-4347 or karen.leskie@dep.state.nj.us.
Pennsauken Surf Fishing Tournament, North Wildwood, Oct. 4, 856-231-9110 or 856-486-9180.
Other News:
NJ DEP offers “Know the Bear Facts” seminars to learn common-sense methods to discourage bears from entering a property, and how to react if one encounters a black bear, free.
Schedule a seminar for your group, Michelle Ruggiero, 908-637-4125 or Michelle.Ruggiero@dep.state.nj.us.
All photos submitted to The Fishing Line are on SeeMyBigFish.com. Be sure to send your fish stories and pictures and Be My Guest reporter. Send info to cmiller@cmcherald.com.