With summer on the wane and local fishing is slow, the Jersey shore is a viable alternative

With kids back in school, the last super moon is waning and Labor Day is the next holiday, it appears summer is about over. And the final confirmation that summer is over is that Lowe’s has Halloween decorations out. But that doesn’t mean fishing season is over. In fact, late summer may be good as waters begin to cool. 

Locally, angling action is slow. Leaser Lake is only producing a few bass and Minsi is not much better. Ontelaunee Reservoir in upper Berks County was good a few weeks ago but Lilly pads have overtaken most of the lake that makes fishing super tough, even with snag less frog lures. But Jersey shore action remains productive if you don’t mind the drive. 

Last week in northern New Jersey shore points brought a hint of fall and a bounty of bonito. These tasty hardtails were found over a wide area that were mixed in with bluefish and false albacore according to our reporters from On the Water Magazine. 

There were also reports of albies on the beaches in Long Branch and close to the Manasquan Inlet. Decent fluke fishing was also reported on most local reefs and wrecks. Charter boats were mainly docked due to remnants of Hurricane Ernesto, but when they did go out, they found keeper fluke on the bite. 

Mark Fuduli at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said anglers are catching all the bonito they want. He added that ocean fluke action improved with a lot of quality fish being caught. For those he recommends live spot for bait. Stripers too are still being caught by drifting live eels. Blackfishing was also good in the rockpiles. 

Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said, fluke fishing is probably the best of the season. He also reported loads of spot and croakers around Raritan Bay with good fluking off Sandy Hook beaches.  

Joe Julian Jr. at Julian’s Bait & Tackle in Atlantic Highlands, has been getting good reports of bonito and bluefish action off Long Branch. Fluking picked up and there’s a lot of bait in Raritan Bay, especially peanut bunker. Crabbing in the bay and rivers remains excellent in the area. 

Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright, said surf fluking is heating up with bigger fish in better numbers. One customer landed a 6.5 pounder on Gulp and another angler used BaitFuel for a 4.5 pounder. Bluefish up to five pounds are showing up in the Rip at Sandy Hook and the rivers are loaded with peanut bunker.

Tim Rizzuto at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar, said fluking in the Shark River has been good with more keepers being hooked by anglers using live spot for bait. Party boats are doing well on blues and bonito. 

Capt. Rich Falcon of the Golden Eagle out of Belmar, reported excellent fishing for blues, bonito false albacore and Spanish mackerel. Anglers are catching buckets of bonito and limits on bluefish by using two and three-ounce diamond jigs. He added that jumbo sea bass are also helping fill the coolers. 
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If you can escape for the weekend, the Jersey shore appears to be the place for tight lines.