NJ Fishing Reports on FishinJersey.com
Throwback Ratio Still High on NJ Fluke…Sea Bass Season Closed Until October 22nd…
Snappers in Bays and Rivers…Sharks on the Beaches…Blue Claw Crabs Action Still Steady
The NJ Fishing Reports page on FishinJersey.com contains NJ saltwater fishing reports from our advertisers and staff for all saltwater species and also freshwater reports when available. Below our own NJ fishing reports, will be additional links to other NJ fishing reports. FishinJersey.com wants to be your “one stop” web site for tides, weather, fish identification, features, techniques, recipes and especially fishing reports.
Tom Vassallo, FishinJersey Owner/Creative Director holds two nice fluke taken in Barnegat Bay.
The hot weather that took hold last week really improved the fluke fishery. However, the throwback ratios being reported by party boats, charters and individual anglers are very high. In five trips to Barnegat Bay and Barnegat Inlet in the last two weeks, Tom Vassallo (FishinJersey.com Owner/Creative Director) reported a total of 80 fluke caught with only 3 keeper fluke at 22″, 19″ and 18.25″. That really isn’t much different than the ratios experienced last year. The good news is that there are a lot of fish in the 15-17″ range and they are fat, healthy fish. Remember to handle undersized fish with care when returning them to the water.
The closing of the black sea bass season will put a lot of the wreck fishing on hold until the fall, especially since the Tautog (Blackfish) limit will stay at only 1 fish until November 16th. Some captains should now switch over to fluke trips, which may help locate more keeper fish.
Snappers are being reported in New Jersey bays and rivers. These are great fish to start out young anglers on. Use spearing or killies. They will also hit just about any piece of fish on a small spoon or spinner.
August is triggerfish time. Matt Brown of Manahawkin reports good catches of triggers in the Barnegat Bay. Best baits for triggers include clam and raw shrimp chunks. Look for triggers around docks and other structure.
Night time in the surf is still seeing a lot of shark action…especially on sand bar sharks. If you are not experienced with shark fishing, you should fish only with an experienced shark angler. Sharks require special equipment, care and handling. Check NJ regulations as many sharks are protected.
One sure thing in the hot Jersey weather is crabbing action. The action has been good, but the crabs are running a bit on the small size. Remember, crabs must be 4 1/2″ from point to point on the carapace. Again, return young crabs carefully to the water.
The editors also ask that you make your own NJ fishing report by adding your comments on our page. We would love to have you send us photos as well. See our contact page to email us at FishinJersey.com. Instead of searching the web for outdated fishing reports, use our NJ fishing report as well as the selected links below, which our editors consider to be up-to-date and location specific:
On the Water – North Jersey Fishing Report
On the Water – South Jersey Fishing Report