Southern New Jersey Fishing Report- October 26, 2023

Cue the scary music – “They’re here!” We head into the weekend prior to Halloween and the ghosts and ghouls make their annual appearance as the first schools of striped bass enter our southern waters. Striped bass over 40 inches have been released off beaches from Lavallette to Long Beach Island, but a good portion of the action is 15-30 miles northward. However, it won’t be long before they reach our area, especially with passing of October’s full moon and next week’s forecast of cooler weather. Tautog fishing has been outstanding in terms of action with lots of small fish in the mix, but we are hearing anglers having to work a bit for keepers from land. Sea bass fishing is still going through this weekend, but be prepared to run further out as most of the inshore pieces have been picked over. I only heard a smattering of offshore reports this past week, mainly due to the poor sea conditions over the weekend. 

Here is this week’s rundown:
 
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River said there was better action on striped bass from Island Beach State Park over the past few days as more fish are moving down.  Chunked bunker is the top bait, followed by fresh clams and most of the bass are too big to keep. The inlet area had some small bluefish being caught on metals and anglers fishing north-side rocks of Barnegat Inlet are finding some keeper tautog. 

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported spotty striped bass action along the surf of Island Beach State Park and Long Beach Island. Bunker chunks, large plugs, and darters have been catching some of the 40+ inch striped bass. The bay has been fairly good for striped bass in the main channels and anglers got a few on swimshads from the “BI” to the “BB”. There are lots of tautog 10 to 13 inches along the Barnegat Inlet rocks, so if you plan on going bring lots of crabs. 

Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown was out mid-week plying the backwaters on a night-time striped bass charter. With strong tides and south winds, the crew worked poppers in the dark to release a few striped bass. Most of the bass were 18 to 22 inches. The crew will be out this weekend working artificials and live baits for striped bass. 

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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light had a tough go with trips as the forecast cancelled their scheduled canyon tuna trip with Southern Regional Fishing Club. The school club is supposed to go out this upcoming weeknight for an overnight yellowfin and mahi trip.

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin said the striped bass fishing north of Barnegat Inlet has been excellent. Anglers swimming live bunker are hooking up with forty-plus inch fish from Mantoloking past Manasquan inlet. The shop is also hearing of great surf fishing for striped bass off the beaches of Sandy Hook. Areas closer to home are better for tautog with Barnegat Inlet producing good action off the jetties on short tog. The backbay channels have some striped bass for anglers drifting eels during the night tides and spot by the day. Artificial shad bodies also producing hook ups along the beaches and jetty. With the warm weather forecasted for the next couple of days, blue claws will still be able to be harvested from the western areas of Barnegat Bay. 

Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City said the backbay has some striped bass around, especially along some of the river mouths like the Tuckahoe and Mullica. Live spot, swimshads, and Berkeley Gulp Nemesis lures are taking most of the bass. There are a good number of bass under the 28-inch mark, but it makes for good action. The shop recommends looking for points and depth changes to locate striped bass. The inshore wrecks, jetties, and bridges are alive with short and some keeper tautog. Jigs and rigs are producing with equal success. 

Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received a new shipment of tackle for the shelves with flutter spoons and tog jigs. The tog bite in the Somers Point and surrounding waters was excellent over the past few days. Tog from 16 to 18 inches are being caught amongst quite a few shorts. Striped bass fishing is best in the deeper channels with anglers drifting or working live eels and spot. The sod and marsh banks have a few smaller fish around which are fun on poppers. 

Badfish Charters in Ocean City has been working the bays as the skipper has it dialed in on striped bass. The charters have been striking on some solid bass action on light-tackle soft plastics and poppers. A few charters working the flies to produce some nice action. 

The Cape May and Fortescue area reported good sea bass fishing for the rockpiles and wrecks 20 to 35 miles out. Dunked clam worked the best for the bass, but some of the bigger ones have been landed on jigs. Offshore reports were a little sparse for the week, but the ones that I received said yellowfin are still very thick in the canyons. Inshore tog fishing has been very consistent with the closer wrecks and jetties producing the best on action. The beachfront has been somewhat quiet with a few dogfish and the occasional striped bass being landed. Crabs are still in the backwaters and this may be the last weekend with good weather to hit the blueclaws behind Cape May and Wildwood.  

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

The best bet for this weekend looks great for pretty much any type of fishing you want to try. We finally have a nice weekend with good fishing and boating weather. Striped bass are mainly north, but if you want to take a ride to the beaches south of Sandy Hook the percentages are excellent for a jumbo. Tautog is another solid, consistent option for anglers in our region as it seems they are loaded on every inshore wreck and jetty. Green crabs or sand fleas are the top bait choices. Backwater anglers have good shots at drifting baits for striped bass and anglers casting plugs around the sod banks are another solid ante on stripers. If your cards are right and you have the means, jump on a bluewater boat to box a few yellowfin as the canyons are in full play this weekend. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!