RJ
08-15-2009, 08:01 AM
Overview: Whoever said summertime fishing in Central Jersey is for the birds needs to get their head checked! Anglers are hitting just about every fish species, except stripers. Between bonito, Spanish mackerel and bluefin out deep, any offshore bandit would be in blue water heaven. In close to shore the fluke action is going out with a bang as doormats are becoming more and more frequent as the days pass. Brown sharks and kingfish are swarming around in the surf while weakfish and crabs are abundant in Berkeley Island Park.
Manasquan and Point Pleasant: Not much has been said about striper fishing in these two areas, but fluke fishing has been more then accommodating. Anglers are fluking up fish to 10 pounds on whole California squid and large Gulp patterns. 65 feet of water is the magic number if you heading out from a boat. South of the Axel Carlson anglers are nailing fluke up to 11 pounds on larger baits. Bonito and false albacore are also being taken from the beach with football sized bluefin taking hammer and diamond jigs. Sea bass are also doing well offshore on whole spearing.
Short bass were caught by the Mantoloking Bridge on the day and night shift. Snapper blues are also by the bridge, but no fluke seem to be feeding on them. The Manasquan River is loaded with blues, but the action was better in the beginning of the week. Look for the Thunderbird to be a nice spot to catch keeper fluke. Fish by the humps in that area for nice, fat doormats. Anglers are using whole California squid for bait and fishing by the Shrewsbury Rocks for fluke. The Manasquan Ridge is loaded with false albacore and bonito so stock up on Jap Feathers.
Manasquan and Point Pleasant: Not much has been said about striper fishing in these two areas, but fluke fishing has been more then accommodating. Anglers are fluking up fish to 10 pounds on whole California squid and large Gulp patterns. 65 feet of water is the magic number if you heading out from a boat. South of the Axel Carlson anglers are nailing fluke up to 11 pounds on larger baits. Bonito and false albacore are also being taken from the beach with football sized bluefin taking hammer and diamond jigs. Sea bass are also doing well offshore on whole spearing.
Short bass were caught by the Mantoloking Bridge on the day and night shift. Snapper blues are also by the bridge, but no fluke seem to be feeding on them. The Manasquan River is loaded with blues, but the action was better in the beginning of the week. Look for the Thunderbird to be a nice spot to catch keeper fluke. Fish by the humps in that area for nice, fat doormats. Anglers are using whole California squid for bait and fishing by the Shrewsbury Rocks for fluke. The Manasquan Ridge is loaded with false albacore and bonito so stock up on Jap Feathers.