Action is picking back up across Jersey coast

Let’s begin by saying that big lull in the action we reported on last week has run its course. Salt water fishing in most areas has picked back up and things are getting back to normal. One possible buga-boo might be a warm front that moved in this past Wednesday, producing some big southwest winds that make fishing and boating difficult, at best.

The canyons finally have opened up and there are excellent reports of white and blue marlin and yellowfin and bluefin tuna. The Wilmington, Spencer and Lindenkohl seem to have plenty of them. And, if the bill and tuna fishing happens to slow, there are more than ample mahi gathered around pot flags and assorted other flotsam and jetsam. Even Massey’s Canyon showed some signs of revival after last week’s almost total shutdown.

If making a canyon trip is not on your agenda, give a shot at some of the inshore spots, such as the 20 Fathom Fingers and the East Lump. There are plenty of smaller mahi, occasional wahoo and false albacore.

There is a special breed of offshore angler and that is the tile fisherman. Tile fishing is a deep water sport, really deep water. Imagine cranking up a 20-pound or larger fish from 400 feet, even with an electric reel, and you’ll get the idea. Anyway, word coming from some of the boats that specialize in that sort of thing is that it is turning into a banner tile season.

Among the areas that do not seem to be coming to life are the artificial reefs, especially those north say, Wildwood.

I spoke to a friend who was diving with his crew on an unnamed wreck this past Sunday. They came back with some large seabass and, of course, some big lobsters. Unfortunately, even with my saddest expression they did not offer to share their lobster bounty with me!

Along the beaches and in the back bays the good times are rolling. Sitting on my deck on Tuesday we could smell the peanut bunker as it was getting chewed up by snapper blues and who knows what else. Back bay bait is no problem this year.

There are some verified reports of doormat flounder coming in the bays behind Margate, Ocean City, Avalon and Wildwood. However, more than likely you will find yourself engaging dozens of throwbacks before you get one that meets the state’s minimum size requirement.

I have seen it and I’m sure you have too. Someone catches an undersized fish or one they consider “trash”. They unhook it and then toss it high into the air. Don’t do that. Unhook the fish and gently place it back into the water. Who knows how many fish that would have survived perished because of that big flip.

How does an 11.75-pound sheepshead sound to you? Well, there was one of that size taken last week in the waters behind Avalon. Kingfish are in abundance, especially along the beaches. There even was a huge 19-pound bluefish caught in the 59th Street surf at Sea Isle City. Striper fishing mainly is a night activity and those being caught tend to be undersized. of, Weakfish have turned up in Absecon Inlet and in Delaware Bay but remember there is a one fish bag limit. And, each day beings more and more spot into the area waters. Spot are good eating but they also are way more than good bait for everything from flounder to sharks.

And, we can’t forget the crabbing. This has to be one of the best blue claw seasons we have seen in years. Even my local grocery store is advertising chicken necks with the tag line “Makes great crab bait”.

The 39th Annual Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Clue Overnight Billfish Tournament is underway. It runs through the 19th so next week’s report should have some good information on the quality of the canyon fishing.

ACROSS THE BAY

If you ever have fished in Florida, Georgia or the Carolinas there is a good chance you picked up a grouper or two. Those of us whose fishing is confined to Jersey or Delmarva waters can fish everyday for years and years and never see one. That’s what makes a 35-pound snowy grouper special. This baby was caught about 35 miles off Ocean City, MD during a tilefish trip. The fish hit a sardine.

As is the case in New Jersey, the spot are invading Delmarva. They are mixed in with the blues, flatties and kingfish. If it is sea bass you crave, head for Massey’s Landing. Leave the Lewes Canal alone for a while because warming water has pretty much shut it down for the fish.