Fishing Report: 7/23/20

Hello! This is the OCNJ Daily 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. The "What" Flounder 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 in Ocean City: Beach fishing (where allowed), the 5th St jetty, Corsons Inlet and the north end of the island near the Longport Bridge are excellent locations. Bridge/Pier fishing: Longport Bridge fishing pier, 9th St Bridge fishing piers (there are 4). Bay fishing: 12th St pavilion, and any street end that is open to the public. Notes:

1. 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.
2. For the 2020 NJ recreational fishing regulations, go to:

njfishandwildlife.com Back Bay This past week, with the heat wave and west winds we saw the water temperature fluctuate from the upper 70's, down to the upper 60's, then back up again (currently 78 degrees), which chased some of the "exotics" (Sheepshead, Triggerfish, Blowfish) back in to the ocean. However, anglers are reporting lots of activity on the summer standards: flounder, kingfish, and blues! The summer Flounder bite has remained strong. Lots of catches with some good keepers mixed in. Some reports of 7 - 9 pounders being hooked! That's what we call "doormat" Flounder. Striped Bass continue to bite in the inlets in the evenings, especially on the incoming tides. Sea Robin Bluefish, Sea Robins, and Oyster Toad Fish are present in our local waters. 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 - 2 pound range are still hooking up in the bay on cut bait. Early morning and night  fishermen have still been hooking Striped Bass using surface lures on the sod banks, and live Eel in deeper water. For those inclined, the Blue Crab season is looking good. A great way to spend the day: fishing and crabbing for a family dinner! Good spots to catch all these fish mentioned is the Longport Bridge fishing pier, Corsons Inlet on the south end of the island and one of the fishing piers on the Rt 52 Causeway. The fishing pier at the end of 12th St is also a nice little spot. Piers and Bridges The fluctuating water temperature reduced the variety this past week, but Flounder, Blues, Sea Robin, and Oyster Toad fish were all reported catches this week. Flounder can be caught using squid or minnows as bait on smaller hooks (#4 or #6 hooks), and also pink or white bucktails. Cut bait (bunker or squid) for Blues and Sea Robins. Oyster Toad fish will bite on just about anything! Surf Kingfish, Kingfish, Kingfish, Weakfish, Kingfish. That's the surf report. The fluctuating water temperature didn't seem to bother these guys at all. Many Kingfish are being taken in the 1 - 2+ pound range. Bloodworms on an over/under rig are the bait of choice. Weakfish are mixing in nicely, and on the same bait & tackle. Stripers (including some keepers) are being caught in the surf and (more often) in the inlets - usually in the evenings.  Fresh clam is the bait of choice. Sunset, at the top of the tide is the best time. The sun is shining, the water is warm, so get out there and fish! [gview file="https://accessglobal.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/siteimports/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NJFishandWildlfie.pdf"]