The “What”
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”
Croaker
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
After last week’s storms, the ocean water temperature dipped for a day or two, then settled in the mid 70’s (currently 75 degrees). That puts us in very good summer fishing conditions!
There’s a wide variety of species in our local waters, with anglers hauling in some real nice fish. Local catch reports include Flounder, Croakers, Blues, Kingfish, Snapper Blues, Sea Robins, Oyster Toad Fish, Triggerfish and Sheepshead. This week, a young angler landed a 30 pound Black Drum (off the Longport Bridge pier).
Summer Flounder fishing has been very good, even with the larger Fluke moving offshore to deeper waters. Still, we’re hearing reports of keeper Flounder being hooked daily with a few up to the 9 pound range! That’s a fine fish!
Flounder being taken with minnows, cut squid, and bucktails (Pink remains the HOT color). Cut or live bait on the incoming tide is sure to land you a good variety.
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, Triggerfish and Sheepshead. The Triggerfish and Sheepshead catch has been exceptional around the bridges, with many of Sea Robin, Snapper Blues, and Oyster Toad Fish mixed in. The Triggerfish and Sheepshead are biting on fiddler crabs (on jig heads). Flounder (and Triggerifsh) 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
Kingfish
No summer doldrums on the beach right now! Beach fishing is very good! Kingfish currently rule the surf – another great summer for Kings! Also being taken are Croakers, Weakfish, Flounder, Snapper Blues, and even some Spanish Mackerel. An occasional Blowfish may be hooked as well.
Bloodworms on an over/under rig are the bait of choice for Kingfish, Weakfish, Snapper Blues and Spanish Mackerel. 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!
