Hello! This is the Downbeach fishing report. This report will give you the where, when and how of fishing our local waters. We hope this information will help you catch the big one!
Suggested bait and tackle in this report can be obtained at any of the local fishing shops.
Always check the local NJ fishing minimum size, possession limits, & seasons guide. https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2021/maregsum21.pdf
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, Perch, Sea Bass, Sea Robin, Shad Sharks, Skate, Spot, Striper(Striped bass), Weakfish, Black Drum, and Red Drum.
Currently in season:
Black Sea Bass May 15 – June 22
Blufish
Porgy
Striped Bass
Summer Flounder May 22 – Sept 19
Weakfish
See summary for full details and specifics on each species:
https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2021/marseasonschart21.pdf
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.
Back Bay
Anglers are reporting lots of activity all over the back bay. Flounder are plentiful and getting bigger. Summer Flounder are in the back bay and have not moved to deeper waters offshore yet. The “hot” bait has been white bucktails. Catches are also reported on minnows, Gulp (shrimp), pink bucktails, and squid.
If you are a flounder fisherman, NOW is the time to be out there!!
3 lb blues are plentiful, along with dogfish and little brown sharks – these will bite on just about anything you throw at them, but prefer cut bait (bunker). Big schools of blues churning the surface chasing peanut bunker can be seen occasionally.
Reports of good size Striped Bass taken from sod banks and docks. Grass shrimp and cut bait are working on Bass.
Piers and Bridges
As we wait for the water to warm and bring more variety, mostly flounder, blues, brown sharks, and dogfish are being taken from the piers/bridges. An occasional striper is hooked in the early morning or evening, and mostly at the top of the tide.
Surf
The Kingfish bite is just beginning! Last year was exceptional for kingfish, and anglers are hoping for the same this year. Bloodworms or clam on an over/under rig has been most successful.
Stripers are being caught – most in the schooly size (under 24 inches) but bigger, keeper size are here and being caught in the surf and (more often) in the inlets. Live eel and clam are the bait of choice. Top of the tide and at dawn & dusk is the best time. Plenty of dogfish and bluefish in the surf as well.
The sun is shining, so get out there and fish!
