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"
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:
Back Bay
Oyster Toadfish
The water temperature stabilized this week, currently at 80 degrees. We are now in the full summer fishing swing, with lots of variety and action. Anglers are reporting lots of activity on the summer standards: flounder, kingfish, and blues; plus lots of activity on some of the more "exotic" catches like Sheepshead and Triggerfish.!
The summer Flounder bite has remained strong, with some good keepers landers. Some reports of 7 - 9 pounders being hooked! That's what we call "doormat" Flounder.
Bluefish, Sea Robins, and those ugly Oyster Toad Fish are being hooked daily.
The main take right now in the bay are Flounder. Minnows, cut squid, and bucktails (white or pink) with Gulp tails are all good working bait. Bluefish in the 1+ pound range are still hooking up in the bay on cut bait.
The Blue Crabs are getting bigger with more keeper size being netted. A great way to spend the day: fishing and crabbing for a family dinner!
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, Flounder, Blues, Sea Robin, and Oyster Toad fish mixing in with Sheepshead and Triggerfish.
Flounder, Triggerfish and Sheepshead are biting on squid and minnows - on smaller hooks (#4 or #6 hooks). Cut bait (bunker or squid) for the Blues, Sea Robins (and Oyster Toad fish).
Surf
Kingfish
While the Kingfish bite is still very strong (another good year for Kindfish in the surf), the consistent and higher water temp (currently 80 degrees) has brought a variety of fish in to the beaches. Weakfish continue to mix in nicely. A little surprise this week is Spanish Mackeral being taken off the beach! We normally see them more off shore.
Kingfish have been consistently taken in the 1 - 2+ pound range. Bloodworms on an over/under rig are the bait of choice for Kingfish, Weakfish, and Spanish Mackeral.
The sun is shining, the water is warm, so get out there and fish!
