The “What”
Kingfish
Here is a list of fish (some common, some not as common) found in New Jersey waters: Blowfish, Bluefish, Croaker, Flounder, Kingfish, Ling, Oyster Toad Fish, Perch, Sea Bass, Sea Robin, Shad Sharks, Sheepshead, Skate, Spot, Striper(Striped bass), Triggerfish, Weakfish, Black Drum, Red Drum and many others.
The “Where”
Some suggestions for locations on Absecon Island:
Beach fishing (where allowed), the Longport jetty, and the Ventnor Pier (small fee) are excellent locations.
Bay fishing: The point in Longport, ski beach in Ventnor Heights, sea glass beach in Margate and any street end that is open to the public.
Notes:
- Tide-forecast.com or any reliable tide app on your smart phone will help you fish at the right time of day. I suggest a few hours before and after high tide.
- For the 2020 NJ recreational fishing regulations, go to:
njfishandwildlife.com
Back Bay
Flounder
The ocean water temperature rose and fell a few times this week with the storms. Current ocean temp is 74 degrees. The fluctuation didn’t cause a whole lot of damage, with the exception of, it appears that the larger Summer Flounder have finally moved out to deeper waters.
Summer fishing is in high gear, with lots of variety and lots of action. Local anglers are reporting catches of Flounder, Croakers, Blues, Snapper Blues, Sea Robins and Oyster Toad Fish. This week saw an uptick of Sheepshead (mostly under the bridges) and Triggerfish!
The summer Flounder catch has remained strong. More keeper-size being reported as they mature. Reports of 7 – 9 pounders are being hooked!
The main take right now in the bay are Flounder being taken with minnows, cut squid, and bucktails (Pink is the HOT color this week!).
Good spots to catch all these fish mentioned are the at the inlet in Longport, and ski beach in Ventnor Heights.
Piers and Bridges
The variety has expanded with the warmer water this week; including Flounder, Blues, Croakers, Sea Robin, Snapper Blues and Oyster Toad fish. Some Triggerfish as well. The Sheepshead catch has really been exceptional around the bridges – being taken on fiddler crabs on jig heads. Flounder and Triggerfish are biting on squid and minnows – on smaller hooks (#4 or #6 hooks). Cut bait (bunker or squid) for the Blues, Croakers, Sea Robins, Snapper Blues and Oyster Toad fish.
Surf
Croaker
Beach fishing is very good right now! Kingfish, Croakers, Weakfish, Flounder, Snapper Blues, and even some Spanish Mackeral are all being hooked in the surf. The Kingfish bite is strong, Flounder bite is strong, and the Weakfish bite is strong. It’s a good summer for anglers!!
Bloodworms on an over/under rig are the bait of choice for all of these species. Cut bait and clams on a weighted rig will also work.
The sun is shining, the water is warm, so get out there and fish!
