The ocean is flat, Lake Atlantic! We have another great day ahead tomorrow before conditions turn sour on Sunday. The LBI surf temperature is holding in the mid-60s and anglers are finding a mixed bag of fish along the beaches. Recent catches include kingfish, blowfish, bluefish, brown sharks, a couple striped bass and out-of-season fluke. Kingfish and tautog are two of the better species to target right now. Also it’s surprising how many fluke are still hanging around the bay, inlet and surf. Striped bass action remains spotty, but there have been a few notable catches. One standout was a 52-inch striped bass caught by Greg O’Connell during last Saturday’s ASAC tournament hosted by the Long Beach Island Fishing Club. Round two takes place tomorrow, hosted by the Merchantville Fishing Club.
Boat anglers are doing better with bass in the bay, inlet and ocean. Captain Dan aboard Hog Moon Fishing Charters out of Forked River shared this photo with us this morning. Captain Dan is in the center holding the striped bass with Coach Jeff Stoutland (former Eagles offensive line coach) on his left side. Each day we get more reports of nice striped bass. Dan runs a Parker 21SE out of Barnegat Inlet so he couldn’t be too far.
On the bait front, the mullet run appears to be winding down or possible done. Maybe we see a few stragglers. We’re also seeing a transition from spearing to bay anchovies along the Jersey Shore beaches, including LBI. For anglers heading out, we’ve got live eels (great striped bass bait), live green crabs (great tautog bait), live sand fleas (everything eats them from tog and sea bass to striped bass, kingfish and much more), fresh bunker (chunk for striped bass or blues) and plenty of quality frozen mullet (fish whole or chunk for striped bass, bluefish, kingfish, fluke, etc) available at the shop.
It’s a beautiful fall weekend to get outside and enjoy Long Beach Island! The LBI Kite Festival is in town as well as another ASAC surf fishing tournament tomorrow and we are in the middle of the LBI Surf Fishing Classic which runs until the end of November. The weather looks great for enjoying the beach, fishing, crabbing or clamming. For those looking to get out clamming, we have a great selection of quality USA-made clam rakes from KB White and Killer Clam Rakes, along with more affordable imported options too.
Earlier this week here at Fisherman’s Headquarters we received our fall apparel orders so we are loaded up on beanies, hats, hoodies and t-shirts.
Here are two recent video reports from this week…
Notice to Mariners: There is an active dredging operations in the western area of Oyster Creek Channel between the 37 – 41 cans (green). Mariners must pass on the north side of the dredge. Pass between the white poly ball and the dredge. Use VHF channels 13 / 16 if needed.
We have received a lot of calls and messages asking about the Long Beach Island beaches after the storm and more specifically “How are the 4×4 beach access ramps?” So… Yesterday I took the time to check out all of the Long Beach Township Ramps between Ship Bottom and Beach Haven. Before reading any further be sure to read the disclaimer at the bottom of this page!
Due to the recent powerful coastal storms, the Long Beach Island’s beaches experienced erosion ranging from mild to severe. Since things have settled down many of the beaches have rebounded through natural accretion. Also a lot of work has been done by the municipal crews working bulldozers and front-end loaders. They deserve a big thank you!
The following chart is to share an update based on my inspection (10/13/26) of nine 4×4 beach access ramps between Ship Bottom and Beach Haven. I can also add that Ship Bottom as a whole offers good size beaches and good 4×4 beach access.
The photo above is detailing 66th street beach access ramp in the town of Brant Beach. I listed it as a good ramp with moderate slow but a short beach.
The below photo show 13th street in North Beach Haven which I listed as a ramp in bad condition with steep slope and washed-out ramp leading to a short beach. In the photo a pile of sand can be seen which looks like it was placed there by municipal crew to block public 4×4 access for safety.
DISCLAIMER – Beach Conditions Can Change Rapidly: This report reflects firsthand observations I made on October 13, 2026. Beach access conditions may change without notice due to tides, wind, waves, storms, erosion, and municipal maintenance. A ramp listed in good condition is not necessarily perfect and good for all vehicles. It is just a helpful, general rating. Always use caution! Always walk a ramp to visually inspect if unfamiliar with the area.
Marine and traditional forecast looks great for this Saturday, so we are going to run an Open Boat trip for tuna. 6AM to 3PM. Without the benefit of any reports, we are headed to the Mud Hole area. Going on the drift and chunking up a storm in hopes of finding bluefin. Bait fishing mostly, but we are prepared to jig and throw poppers if the opportunity is there. I plan on running the shipping lanes in hopes of some bluefin that should be making their way south from New England with these first few weeks of colder weather. To be clear, not headed out to any known bite, going out on the hunt, loaded for bear, fishing where the fish should be.
Saturday, October 10. 6AM to 3PM. $375 person. 4 people max. All fish are shared by the passengers. Call to reserve a spot.
We are starting to book striper charters from now thru November.
After a gnarly Nor’easter hammered Long Beach Island with big surf, flooding and serious beach erosion, things finally settling down a few days back… And what a difference a few days can make! Now kicking off October today with some great weather and good post storm fall fishing here on Long Beach Island. Here’s the updated fishing report for Long Beach Island and the surrounding waters. Directly below is my most recent fishing report video from Monday September 28, 2026 and then below the video is a text fishing report to recap the fishing activity over the past couple of days.
Pre Storm Fishing Info
Before the worst of the storm arrived, we had encouraging signs of the fall fishing. Mullet were moving around Barnegat Inlet and Fish Head staffers Emmett and Paul were catching bass on metal lip plugs. Dante from Magictail also got into fish with a buddy, and South Philly Fred (below) reported some nice striped bass catches too. There were also a few bluefish. The inlet was the place to be but not for the faint of heart! Rough and dangerous!
The storm was a doozie! It took a big bite out of dunes in many towns and reshaped our summertime sandbars. Here in Ship Bottom, we have a pronounced outer bar now with a long shore trough inside of it. It looks like a classic Ship Bottom winter beach profile which can offer great fishing.
Ship Bottom Beaches are open to 4×4 access with permit. The current beach conditions in Ship Bottom are good given the severity of the storm. The beach is surprisingly flat and hard. The ramps at 5th, 11th and 17th look good. Here’s more details on LBI 4×4 Beaches Access. Local angler and LBI Fishing Club member shares, “I drove north from 31st in Ship Bottom to Harvey Cedars. Ship Bottom and Surf City were fine. North Beach and Harvey Cedars will be challenging around high tides, possibly not accessible.” Derek Correia shared some beach condition updates after checking out beach buggy entrances in Long Beach Township, ” South 34th and 117th are both good but unless you are driving big foot, 13th Street is no go with a 8′ drop.”
Post Storm Fishing Report Update
This work week started out slow but reports got better each day. Many of those who got out found fish. On the surf there’s a few kingfish (south end report), sparce croakers and blowfish as well as out of season fluke. Barnegat Inlet has tog.
As shared in the video report, the ocean temp dropped from the summertime warmth. On Monday the Long Beach Island (mid-Island, Ship Bottom) surf temp was 64.7°F at the water’s edge. This was a major change from the 70+ degree water we were fishing just a week ago. The storm churned things up and also the days are getting significantly shorter. It’s exactly what we needed to get the fall fishing fired up! Looking ahead it seems like we will get a quick cold snap after the weekend. Tuesday morning I’ seeing a low of 46 degrees. Usually by mid October we have some great striped bass opportunities. Are you ready?
Here’s a nice bayside striped bass catch from Dante Jr. He went out Tuesday after school with his dad.
August and much of September were disappointing on the rocks compared to the past couple of years. But the recent the temperature change has also helped to wake up the Barnegat Inlet tautog bite. Store staffer Steve-o scored on a quick strike mission to the North End bulkhead. He caught a 2.8# tog on green crab and took the led in the LBI Classic Tournament. More on the Classic below…
Yesterday (Wednesday) Dante from Magictails (was out after school again) and his son caught four keeper size tog in less than an hour window. All on green crab. All you need is a simple hi/lo rig or a single drop rig baited with green crab or sand fleas.
So far post storm mullet run as been dismal. There’s still time for another trickle. If not this year’s mullet run was a bust. Only time will tell. I’m optimistic we’ll see some moving one of these days.
Sea Bass fishing is good right now at many of the inshore reefs and wrecks. We got a few reports from customers fishing 50-70′ of water both bait (clam & sand fleas) and jigs. There are also triggerfish in some of the same areas.
LBI Surf Fishing Classic
The Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic is rolling through Week 5. There’s fish on the board and anglers are wining great prizes while having fun fishing. If you want to join there are lots of prizes to win during the 13 week event. For the live results, leader board and additional info…. https://www.lbisfc.com/lbi-fall-classic-surf-fishing-tournament
Last week I participated in a two-day Recreational Sector Separation Stakeholder Workshop in Baltimore hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) where recreational mode management for black sea bass, summer flounder, scup and bluefish was discusses. While the workshop was called “sector separation” it was really based around the topic of mode split. Meaning private and for-hire modes may be split to offer each mode better satisfaction.
Think Bluefish… NJ private anglers get a 5 fish bag. NJ anglers fishing aboard For-hire vessels get a 7 fish bag. Last year it was 3/5. This is real life separation or mode management. While we are experiencing a difference in bag, it could be a different season and/or different minimum size or a combination of the three. For example, maybe headboats get less days to fluke but they get a 1″ smaller minimum size. Imagine a shore based angler get a shorter fish similar to the current regulation that exists for fluke at Island Beach State Park. Just for clarification there is already existing mode splits in other states too.
While this may sound great to some and it very well may be, I feel it is a slippery slope. We must be careful to ensure that mode management does not unnecessarily divide the recreational fishing community and create competition between modes/groups that ultimately share the same harvest limit.
Percent Change Approach will still be used and the process will still compare the combined harvest estimate of the entire recreational fishery to the RHL (recreational harvest limit). So there’s only one pizza pie.
The more a pie gets cut, the more crumbs are lost. But I believe there is reason to explore the possibilities. One look at Long Beach Island’s headboat history and current state shows it’s obvious the local boats and the region’s fleet needs help. There’s only two headboats left here… Miss Barnegat Light and Miss Beach Haven.
Among many topics we explored and commented on permitting, limited entry, tiered permit system, minimum requirements for participation as well as enhanced state level reporting. I also made sure to share my perspective that private boats and some six-pack for hire charters have a huge advantage over traditional headboats. These smaller boats are nimble and much more effective at catching fish with a tackle and technology edge. I’ll mention just a couple; speed, trolling motors. Letting every six pack charter operation join the mode may turn into chaos hence the topic/discussion on a two tier permit system (with criteria requirements and thresholds) and/or a letter of authorization program.
Right now it’s really all about exploring the process and guidelines to see if improvements can be made and how stakeholders feel about these needs and concern. The Council’s consideration will be later in 2026 and early 2027. It was a two day workshop so there’s far too much to share here, but I want to encourage all anglers to follow the MAFMC for updates.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Friday, September 18, 2026 — President Trump announced the “Restoring America’s Saltwater Angling and Recreation” Executive Order in the White House Rose Garden Thursday night. The order establishes a national policy to elevate marine recreational fishing in federal fisheries management and directs federal agencies to pursue better data and more modern management approaches, strengthen State-Federal partnerships, remove unnecessary barriers to access and advance innovative solutions for American anglers.
“This Executive Order is a historic recognition of what millions of American anglers and coastal communities have known for decades: marine recreational fishing deserves a management system built for the way Americans fish,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “By prioritizing better data, stronger state partnerships and modern management approaches, President Trump’s order builds on our conservation gains creating a path to more reliable access and opportunity in America’s oceans.”
“The American Sportfishing Association thanks President Trump for this decisive action to improve management and data collection for America’s saltwater fisheries,” added Glenn Hughes, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. “This Executive Order will have long-term benefits for the sportfishing industry and America’s 15.5 million saltwater recreational anglers.”
Under the Executive Order, federal agencies are directed, consistent with existing law, to:
Modernize recreational fisheries data collection by evaluating outdated survey methods, expanding electronic and mobile reporting and incorporating real-time catch, effort and observational data into federal fisheries management;
Strengthen State-Federal partnerships and improve the use of state data, including consideration of more precise state recreational catch-and-effort data in federal management decisions;
Improve recreational fisheries economic data so the economic value of recreational fishing, for-hire fisheries and shoreside businesses is more fully considered in federal fisheries management decisions;
Advance technology-based approaches to marine mammal avoidance, including directing NOAA to work with the private sector to integrate new technologies that can improve marine mammal detection and avoidance;
Fast-track artificial reef and habitat creation, including establishing a federal Reef-in-Place Program for eligible offshore structures and streamlining permitting for qualifying artificial reef projects, and
Address shark and pinniped depredation and their impacts on recreational fishing by improving research and coordination among federal and state fisheries managers, anglers and the recreational fishing community and advancing management strategies to reduce harmful interactions.
The order also directs federal agencies to streamline permitting, remove administrative barriers to recreational fishing and habitat projects, improve the delivery of Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration funds, and strengthen coordination of habitat restoration efforts.
The order builds on a bipartisan history of presidential support for recreational fishing. President Bill Clinton issued Executive Order 12962 in 1995 establishing recreational fishing as a federal policy priority. President George W. Bush strengthened that order in 2008 by explicitly protecting recreational fishing as a sustainable activity on federal lands and waters.
This Executive Order recognizes the significant economic contributions of America’s outdoor recreation, noting that the sector generates more than $1.2 trillion annually, supports 5.2 million jobs and accounts for 2.4 percent of U.S. GDP. Recreational boating and fishing are the nation’s largest conventional outdoor recreation activity, contributing $38.4 billion in value added to the U.S. economy. Saltwater recreational fishing alone generates $145.4 billion in sales impacts and supports nearly 700,000 jobs nationwide.
“President Trump is sending a clear message that America’s saltwater anglers matter. Better data, modern management and stronger state partnerships can deliver what anglers and coastal communities have needed for years: healthier public fisheries and more reliable access to them,” Angers continued.
“Recreational boating and fishing are the foundation of America’s outdoor heritage and an important driver of our nation’s recreation economy,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “Today’s actions further reaffirm the importance of ensuring Americans can access and enjoy our nation’s waters. Access supports American manufacturing, jobs and small businesses across the country. Thank you to President Trump and his administration for recognizing the value of outdoor recreation and the American industries and communities it supports.”
“We’re grateful the Administration has taken this opportunity to emphasize the social and economic importance of recreational fishing,” said Pat Murray, president and CEO of Coastal Conservation Association. “State-based management has never been more important for our federal fisheries, and we applaud this critical need being highlighted in this Executive Order.”
“America’s anglers were among the nation’s first and most dedicated conservationists, and this Executive Order recognizes that commitment while charting a path towards increased access to healthy fisheries,” said Jeff Crane, president and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “We thank President Trump for elevating recreational fishing as a national priority and look forward to working with the Administration to turn these directives into meaningful results on the water.”
ASA and our partners have long advocated for federal fisheries policies that recognize the distinct nature of recreational fishing, improve the quality and use of data, promote innovation and provide meaningful public access to sustainably managed marine resources.
We have had some good fishing inshore and offshore lately. I have to give a lot of the credit to the live peanut bunker that’s been working on both fisheries. On Saturday, I headed out with Paul Perpiglia Sr and Jr from PA, and a livewell full of peanut bunker, for bonita and albacore. After catching a few on jigs we switched over to live peanut bunker and then things heated up. We caught a bunch of each, bleeding and slushing the bonita for some very cold tuna-ish loins for everyone to take home. We even sliced one on the cutting board for everyone to try some chilled sashimi with the Ponzu soy I packed for just such an occasion and it was delicious! Ponzu is a citrus infused soy by Kikkoman that is perfect for this. We used light spinning gear for these speedy powerful fish and it was a blast.
Yesterday, Tuesday, I was not sure if we were going to be able to get offshore. I had Jim Hutchinson, editor of The Fisherman Magazine, Mike Viviano from Galloway Twp, NJ and John Korn from Washington, NJ. The wind was forecasted to drop down to a lower velocity, but it was NE with a few days of NE momentum, so I wasn’t hopeful. I castnetted a bunch of peanut bunker for whatever we would wind up targeting. On board I had a pail of spearing to chum the bonita and albies, squid for tuna bait, live shedder crabs to try the back bay for weakfish and the variety of species that eats that bait, and 18 rods ranging from 6 lb blowfish rods to 30 class conventional setups, and everything in between. I just didn’t know how far we would get and what we would be fishing for. We got to the inlet and the wind had not yet dropped, and the sea condition was a little more than I like to start out in for heading offshore. The tide was just right to cast lures at the inlet jetty. Halfway in to the incoming tide and the water was turbulent on the North Jetty. And the terns were picking and squawking. It was going to be a turkey shoot. I was partially right, the only other boat fishing there boated a bluefish on each drift while we watched and caught bupkus for a solid hour. Scratching my head, I opted for a new plan. Let’s go inside and try fluking. We dropped down our rigs baited with the live peanuts and for the next two hours we had the best fluke fishing I have had all season, boxing six keepers up to 6 pounds, and releasing countless respectable throwbacks between 15″ and 17 7/8″.
Available every day for charter. Looking like bay and inlet fishing for a little bit, as the marine forecast has some wind for a stretch. As soon as it subsides we will add some offshore fishing dates. Fluke/Blowfish combo would be a good trip right now.
Final Days Of Fluke, Bluefish Blitzes, Moving Mullet & Pompano
The days are getting shorter, mornings are getting cooler and fall is in the air, but the ocean hasn’t gotten the memo yet. Long Beach Island’s surf remains exceptionally warm for mid September, measuring 75°F on the Ship Bottom surf this morning. That warm, clean water is keeping plenty of late summer fishing opportunities alive while the first pieces of the fall transition are beginning to come together. Mullet are moving, spearing and bay anchovies remain abundant, bluefish are feeding aggressively and bonito and false albacore continue to chase small bait. Summer officially ends September 22, but from a fishing standpoint we’re currently enjoying a great overlap between summer and fall. Here’s the Fisherman’s Headquarters Fishing Report Video from Wednesday September 16, 2026.
LBI Surf Fishing Report
Surf fishing hasn’t been great recently, but there are definitely fish to pick at while enjoying some beautiful September beach weather.
Kingfish remain an option and will be available for at least a few more weeks if the warm water sticks around and no big storms churn it up and sweep them out. Fish Head staffer Paul fished the north end surf yesterday and caught a couple kings on Fishbites. Bloodworms are the number one bait. Fishbites, sand fleas and small pieces of fresh mullet can all produce too.
There are also still fluke on the beach. Anglers only have until September 25 to target them before New Jersey’s season closes. Wayne Smith reported short fluke chewing Gulp this morning.
For these final days of surf fluking, keep things simple. A single jig is one of the most effective presentations. On calm days without excessive current, sweep or swell, a 3/8 to 3/4-ounce lead head paired with a Gulp Jerk Shad covers most situations. Pink Shine and Chartreuse Pepper Neon are two of the most popular colors.
The Jerk Shad is an especially good match right now because of the small, slender baitfish (particularly spearing) along the LBI surf. Unlike a Gulp Swimming Mullet or Grub, it doesn’t have a curly tail creating its own action. Fish it with subtle pulses and twitches to bring the bait to life.
Pompano Are Back on the Radar
Here’s an interesting report: Pompano!
Joe from Keeper’s Liquor Store in Barnegat Light reported a pompano caught recently in the north end surf on a small jig. We heard more pompano reports around this time last year and while one fish doesn’t make a bite, where there’s one there could certainly be more.
Pompano can be targeted much like kingfish with small hook rigs baited with bloodworms, Fishbites, sand fleas or small pieces of bait. They can also be caught actively fishing micro jigs.
We have two good options at Fisherman’s Headquarters: the JYG Pro Mycro Jig and Buccaneer Pompano Wiggler Jig with Stinger. With 75-degree, clean surf water, pompano are certainly a species worth keeping on the radar over the next couple of weeks.
Mullet Are Starting to Move
This might be the most important development to watch in the coming days and weeks.
We’re now waxing toward the first quarter of the Harvest Moon and mullet movement has increased. We’ve had reports/catches of mullet on both the north and south ends of Long Beach Island, and Fish Head’s staffer Emmett is keeping our coolers stocked with fresh baits.
While on the topic of local baits… there are still plenty of spearing and bay anchovies along the beachfront. These small baits have been abundant in the bays throughout the summer and for a few weeks (or more) long the surf. These guys make up an important part of the surfside action right now attracting bonito and bluefish. Albies could be showing up to the party anyday.
When these fish are feeding on small rainbait, match the hatch. Small epoxy jigs, compact metals, diamond jigs and other slender presentations are excellent choices. The Yo-Zuri Hydro Shot is another productive option.
As September progresses, watch for the forage base to gradually shift. Spearing and anchovies are important right now, but increasing mullet movement could be the spark that pushes us further into fall fishing. Our fingers are crossed some bunker will school up this fall, but we aren’t holding our breath.
UPDATE: Here’s a photo of Mark Sparks with a 34″ striped bass he released fishing Thursday evening (9/17/26) fishing Barnegat Inlet.
Bluefish Provide Some of the Best Action
Fluke and bluefish are probably the two best local opportunities right now.
Bluefish remain around in a variety of sizes and we’ve heard several reports over the past few days of fish balling up bait and breaking loose with feeding frenzies.
Barnegat Inlet and the north end of LBI have been particularly productive. Steve Cammann reported bluefish crashing bait recently and Rob Crossley took his daughter out after school and found another round of feeding blues.
Above: 9/19/27 – Saturday morning tournament weigh in from Fred Finger. Fred caught this 3.42# bluefish on a lure fishing Barnegat Light.
These yellow eyes provide outstanding light tackle fishing when they’re chasing bait. Small metals, epoxy jigs and small plugs are all excellent options.
As increasing numbers of mullet begin moving toward and eventually out of Barnegat Inlet, hopefully these bluefish stay right with them. That’s one of the classic ingredients of our early fall fishery.
Barnegat Bay Fishing
The blowfish bite has improved considerably compared to what we saw through much of the summer. The last several reports have included better numbers of blowfish in Barnegat Bay, providing another fun option for anglers looking for steady bay action.
There are also still fluke available in both the bay and Barnegat Inlet during these final days of the season.
Weakfish have been part of the September mix as well, particularly smaller spike weakies. That bite is another one worth targeting as we move deeper into the month.
Sheepshead & Tog
Sheepshead are still here and fishing has been good. Fish Heads alumni Willie Davis recently stopped into the shop to load up on Bottom Sweeper Jigs and reported good sheepshead fishing. With the water still extremely warm, these fish should remain available for several more weeks.
Tog are a different story. The local inlet tog bite has been slow. The better (not great) fishing has been further out on the jetty. The warm water certainly isn’t helping. In the low to mid 70’s on the surf, we’re still well above the cooler conditions normally associated with improving fall tog fishing around the inlet rocks.
As water temperatures eventually cool, we expect that bite to improve. Anglers will soon catch with green crabs and sand fleas. October is historically a great month for land base anglers fishing the rocks at Barnegat Inlet.
Nine Days Left to Fluke Fish
The clock is ticking. New Jersey’s fluke season closes September 25, leaving just nine days from this report to get in those final trips.
There are still fluke on the surf, in Barnegat Bay, around Barnegat Inlet and on the inshore wrecks and reefs. The ocean has produced some quality fish this month, so don’t put the fluke tackle away just yet.
Summer Water, Fall Fishing
September is a transition month, and right now we’re seeing that transition happen in real time.
Get out and enjoy the final days of summer and the final days of fluke season. Keep an eye out for working birds and nervous water, have a small metal or epoxy jig ready for hardtails and blues, and start paying close attention to the mullet run.
Fisherman’s Headquarters is open daily, year-round in Ship Bottom. We’re fully stocked with bait and tackle for the surf, bay, inlet and offshore fisheries. We’re also a full-service rod and reel repair shop specializing in Penn and Van Staal service and parts.
We have one spot available for tomorrow’s (Saturday, Sept 12) Open Boat Bonita-Albies-Bluefin trip. We are departing at 4AM and running right to where the hottest fishing grounds are. They caught again today. Lots of big bonita and albacore on light spinning rods. There is another spot that is producing bluefin in the 27 to 30 plus inch range which we are going to beat up as well. Maybe even hit that first, it’s on the way. We will call an audible in the morning. It’s going to be a great day of light tackle fishing. I spent all day icing up, acquiring the best chum, and cast netting live bait.
You don’t want to miss this one!
4AM to 2PM $375 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared among the passengers. We provide everything for you. Just bring whatever you want to eat and drink. If you have a favorite rod, bring it, but just know that we have more than enough rods and gear for everyone.
We are also sailing Open Boat for this same fishery Monday Sept 14 and Tuesday Sept 15.
September fishing is underway on Long Beach Island and while the calendar says fall is getting close, the water is still holding onto summer. Warm and relatively clean / clear waters are present on the LBI surf with plenty of bait (spearing and other micro minnows). This has kept a diverse mix of fish around the LBI suds. Here’s my recent fishing report video from Tuesday morning 9/8/26, followed by a test report below…
Variety On Tap For Those Fishing LBI
Fluke, kingfish, weakfish, blowfish, croakers and small bluefish are all in the mix, while bonito and false albacore continue to offer opportunities when they find the schools of spearing along the beaches or inshore waters. Tog fishing as well as crabbing and clamming are also options too!
Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Seminar 9/12 9AM
This Saturday September 12, 2026 from 9am to 12 noon the LBI Surf Fishing Classic presents their annual Surf Fishing Seminar at the Ship Bottom Fire House. This year it’s $5 at the door but registered tournament anglers are FREE. It’s $40 to sign up for the 13 week tournament which runs from 8/28 to 11/28/26. Sign ups are available at the door. There will be coffee and doughnuts as well as door prizes from AFW. Everyone in attendance will get more than $5 in quality tackle from AFW plus the sweets (coffee and doughnuts). If you have attended in the past you already know! See you there!!!
The Late-Season Fluke Countdown
There are only 15 days remaining in New Jersey’s 2026 fluke season, which closes September 25. Now is the time to make those final fluke trips count!
Surf fishing continues to produce fluke, with plenty of shorts and a few keepers mixed in. The inlet remains a great location, while the best opportunity for numbers and quality fish continues to be the ocean wrecks and reefs.
Store staffer Sam recently fished one of the inshore wrecks with friends and reported a four man limit along with a pile of shorts. His best was a fish around five pounds. That’s a great example of the action available when conditions cooperate.
More recently (the past couple of days), strong current has made ocean fluke fishing challenging. With the upcoming full moon Friday, expect that current to eventually back down. If the weather cooperates, bottom fishing could get back to firing later this weekend and into next week. We could be looking at an excellent final stretch of the 2026 fluke season.
For ocean fluke fishing, keep it simple. Gulp, strip baits and appropriately sized bucktails or jigs are all excellent choices. Carry enough weight to stay in contact with the bottom, especially during periods of stronger winds / current.
Weakfish Reports Are Picking Up
One of the more encouraging developments over the past couple of weeks has been an increase in weakfish reports.
Store staffer Emmet reports plenty of spike weakfish on the west side of Barnegat Bay. Salt Sam also recently got into a serious weakfish frenzy while surf fishing for fluke. He had then turn on late in the day, into sunset and the dark.
He started the trip targeting fluke with a small lead head and Gulp Jerk Shad, catching several shorts and one keeper fluke. Then the trip completely changed gears when the weakies. He got into a pile of spike weakfish and his fluke trip into a weakfish whacking.
Small soft plastics and lightweight jig heads are perfect for this fishing. When weakfish are feeding on small bait, there’s no reason to overpower the presentation. Small metals and a teaser also work great. Fish light tackle, keep the bait moving naturally and pay particular attention to low-light periods and slower current winds which weakfish love.
Blowfish Finally Showing Better
Blowfish reports have also improved. We’ve heard more positive reports during the past two weeks than we did for much of the summer.
They certainly aren’t everywhere but there are enough reports now to make them worth mentioning and targeting. The bay is also holding croakers and small bluefish, creating the classic late summer/early fall mixed bag fishing that can be a lot of fun for families and anglers looking for action.
On a recent nearshore trip with the kids, we caught a complete smorgasbord that included triggerfish, sea bass, small porgies, blowfish, spots and croakers. If the warm water remains warm we will continue to have a variety of species. But expect them to wane once October comes, he days get significantly shorter and temps fall.
LBI Surf Fishing: Fluke, Kingfish & Hardtails
On the surf, fluke and kingfish remain two of the most dependable targets.
The wild card is the hardtail fishing. Bonito (more) and false albacore (less) have been around, along with small bluefish, and they should remain possibilities all month.
There are plenty of spearing around right now. When the hardtails find them, the action can happen quickly. Small epoxy jigs and other compact metals that imitate 1-4″ slender baitfish are ideal. Keep a rod rigged and ready because these fish can appear and disappear just as fast.
Kingfish remain another excellent option from the beach. Small pieces of bloodworm, Fishbites or cut mullet on a small hook hi/lo kingfish rig will produce.
The Bait Transition Is Beginning
The bait situation is something to watch closely over the next few weeks.
Spearing are still a major part of the current picture, but eventually that will transition toward mullet and peanut bunker. There are already mullet in the bay, and as September progresses we should see more bait begin moving.
Shorter days, cooler nights, moon phases and weather systems can all help push that transition along. Sometimes a good northeast blow gets things moving.
Once mullet become more abundant along the beach, they become an important factor for surf side bluefish, striped bass and fluke. Fresh mullet fished on a traditional mullet rig is a longtime LBI fall favorite, while smaller pieces and strips can also be excellent for fluke and kingfish.
Porgies & Black Sea Bass
Don’t overlook the changing September regulations either. New Jersey’s porgy/scup season opened September 1 with a 30-fish bag limit and 10-inch minimum size.
Looking a little farther ahead, the New Jersey black sea bass bag limit increases to 10 fish beginning September 23. That gives bottom fishermen another option just as the fluke season reaches its final days… last day for NJ Fluke is Sept 25, 2026.
September Is Just Getting Started
Labor Day might mark the unofficial end of summer, but it certainly doesn’t mark the end of fishing on Long Beach Island.
In many ways, we’re entering one of the best stretches of the year. Warm water keeps things active as we eventually transition into fall. But the immediate focus should be making the most of the final fluke season stretch. After that, attention will increasingly shift toward sea bass, tog, weakfish, bluefish and eventually the fall striped bass fishery.
There’s a lot to look forward to!
Fisherman’s Headquarters is open daily in Ship Bottom with live, fresh and frozen bait along with everything needed for surf, bay, inlet and offshore fishing. Stop in and see us or shop online at Fisherman’s Headquarters.
