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.
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.
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.
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. We got a few reports from customers fishing 50-70′ of water both bait (clam & sand fleas) and jigs.
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.
The fishing is really hot right now and it’s only going to get better as the days go by. We are catching big bonita, albacore, and 27 to 30 inch Bluefin Tuna which are on the right side of the legal measure. Fishing light spinning rods armed with jigs and bait, all three of these species make the reel sing. The albies are catch and release, as they are great sport, but inedible. The bonita and the bluefin are delicious.
We are running between 30 to 45 miles to the fishing grounds but that’s where the bite is, number one rule: Fish where the fish are. I could run 14
miles to the Barnegat Ridge but so far, that’s been all albacore, and this variety at the longer run is too good to pass up.
The weather window coming up is the best I have seen all season. Friday to Wednesday are all light winds and calm seas in the marine forecast.
4AM to 2PM, $375 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared among the passengers. There will be a deckhand, so be prepared to take care of them at the end of the trip. Everything is supplied. The fish will be cleaned for you. Just bring whatever you like to eat and drink. If you have a favorite rod, bring it, but just know we always have more than enough gear for everyone.
Call to reserve a spot.
We are also available on these dates or any dates to fish the bay, inlet, or closer ocean grounds for your private charter.
It’s been an interesting week of fishing. Tuesday we had good blowfishing in the bay with shorts and a dozen jumbos making it into the cooler. Nine species in all, including bay anchovies, croakers, spots, fluke, weakfish, snapper blues, juvenille sea bass, and I can’t remember the last one, just that the count was nine. We also got spooled by I am assuming a cow nosed ray. A lot of action at the blowfish spot near the research buoy north of the BI Buoy.
Thursday, after an unproductive effort of fishing with live shedder crabs in the bay, we headed out to Barnegat Ridge, where we managed three albacore on the troll for Jeff Fail and his friend Jim, both from PA.
On Friday, we took a long trek north……no, really long, but it paid off. We boated a dozen big bonita on the Fishermans Headquarters inshore spinning rods. These rods are so versatile, I use them from April to December for so many different fisheries. We were casting jigs and using bait. For a while we had them visually eating our chum right at the boat. These bonita were solid 3 to 5 lb fish, which are big for the species. If you take the time to bleed and slush them, they are like little tuna loins…..Delicious! We also had albies in the mix. Whenever you can catch bonita and albies on light tackle, it is a blast. They both scream line off your reel. Here’s Vinny LaPrete from Roselle Park, NJ boating one of the big bonita on Friday’s trip: https://youtube.com/shorts/y83IxM2e2bg?si=zjIV0uXyERVe66rx
Monday (Labor Day) Sept 7 and Tuesday Sept 8 look really good for offshore fishing. Clear skies and light winds. I do have some intel on tuna, as well. Give me a call to fish for blowfish, bonita, albacore, or tuna.
Summer isn’t over, not even close. But the first hints of fall are beginning to show here on Long Beach Island. Cooler nights and mornings, lower humidity and the back-to-school transition are reminders that September is right around the corner. More importantly for anglers, the bait and fish are beginning to respond. Spearing have shown up big time along the LBI surf, peanut bunker are abundant in the bay and mullet are moving around. There’s plenty of micro bait in the mix too. Bonito and false albacore showed this past week and are chasing bait along side bluefish. Fluke fishing is good and we have a tremendous variety of late summer species on tap right now. Here’s my latest fishing report vlog from Monday 8/25/26…
Clean Water, Warm Temperatures & Lots of Bait
The past couple of weeks has featured some of the warmest water of the summer. Ship Bottom lifeguards have reported 75º water during the day, while my own sunset reading at the water’s edge came in just under 70 degrees. The exact temperature will fluctuate with time of day, tide and wind, but the theme has been warm and clean water without any major upwelling events that can plague our summer fishing.
That consistency has helped keep the inshore fishing active and it has welcomed in some uncommon surf catches. Spearing have been plentiful in the bays all summer, but this week they showed up in force along the surf. There are also peanut bunker, mullet and tiny one-to-two-inch micro baits.
This is an important time to start paying attention to those bait movements. We’re approaching the period when mullet become an increasingly important forage along the beaches, inlets and bays. That mullet theme should only become more important over the next eight weeks or more as we progress into the Mullet Run, through September and into the Fall Run.
Bonito & Albies Are Here – Match the Hatch
One of the most exciting developments has been the arrival of bonito and false albacore. In my opinion it is one of the best light tackle and fly fisheries we have. The action isn’t everywhere and it isn’t necessarily a consistent everyday thing, but both species are here and showing in different areas around the inlets and along the beaches.
I recently had two great trips with Lexi Pepe and her father Rob. Lexi is a passionate fly angler and we set out looking for an opportunity on light tackle. We found bonito feeding on very small bait and she put together an awesome day catching a handful on the fly. Small epoxy anchovy style flies, surf candies and 1/0-#2 Clousers are good matches for the smaller forage.
Danny Frederico with LBI Surf Fishing Services found bonito off the south end surf earlier this week (Tuesday). He reported, “They were breaking about 100 yards out and then 50 yards and closer. I was stoked to be able to catch a couple!” Danny shared he needed a diamond jig for distance and rigged up with a sand eel teaser. This is a very effective way to get a small “fly” a long distance on the surf and can be just effective right now as it is all fall.
For spinning tackle, Hogy Epoxy Jigs, Stack Tackle Chovie Jigs, Savage Glass Minnow Jigs are my three favorite choices right now. All of the different sizes and colors have their place especially when considering if fishing from surf, jetty or boat. You must choose a lure size/weight based on the rod you are fishing as casting distance is many times a very important factor. Distance helps for long cast to reach a school or moving bait. It’s also important for covering more water when searching via blind casts. This style of fishing is not always run and gun blitz chasing, but it is always best with light tackle. and I commonly use Hogy’s two smallest sizes, 2.5″ and 3″ (3/8 and 5/8oz). These can’t be fished with heavy line and heavy rod. 15-20# braided mainline with a 15-20# fluorocarbon leader is as heavy as I would ever go.
Don’t overlook the teaser either. Small epoxy Surf Candy flies are great teasers to match the tiny bait and spearing we’re seeing right now. Sand eel teasers are always worth carrying when fishing the Jersey surf too. Pairing a small teaser with a diamond jig gives you an excellent long distance presentation when the fish are feeding outside normal plug range.
Speed is another important part of this fishery. Bonito and albies are fast predators and a fast retrieve can be extremely effective. Don’t be afraid to occasionally get the jig skipping across the surface. That sudden burst of speed and erratic action can trigger a reaction strike. It’s also a-o-k to employ the stop and go retrieve to let the lure free fall at times too.
Ocean Fluke Fishing Is Still Going Strong
Late August and September is my favorite times of the year to target fluke in the ocean. The reefs and wrecks have been producing and that is most likely due to the consistent warm ocean waters. The Barnegat Light Reef has received a tremendous amount of fishing pressure as it always does being in close proximity to Barnegat Inlet. But it’s location also makes it a great staging spot when fluke exit the Inlet. But it’s not the only place holding fluke. Great reports have come in from anglers fishing all of the local reef sites; Garden State North, Garden State South, Little Egg and many inshore wrecks. Any and all nearshore and midshore pieces can produce. Learn the bottom and better your fishing!
We’ve had some excellent trips recently, including limits and a few quality sea bass mixed. When the bite is on there isn’t much better bottom fishing than ocean fluke fishing!
My approach is simple: bigger baits and simple rigs.
For Gulp… I like the 6″ Grubs (White/glow, Pink Shine, New Penny and Salmon are some of my favorite colors) rigged on a long shank wide gap hook. My favorite hook is the Trokar TK135 by Eagle Claw. I fell in love with this “Monster Flipping Hook” last summer because of it’s unique plastic bait keeper which has exceptional holding ability. It grabs and holds better than any other hook I have tried. I also really like the hook gauge, bend, length and GAP! The 7/0 is perfect for 6″ Gulp Grubs and has room to tip off with a good size strip bait. The only other hook I suggest is the BKK Mother Fluker which was made just for us Flounder Pounders featuring a large gap and long shank that has two (welded on) extra large bait keeper barbs. Both of these are great hook and far superior to the standard offset baitholder hooks.
I almost always tip off the Gulp with a long strip baits in the 7-9″+ range.
There’s no reason to overcomplicate the rigging with terminal tackle. My rigs are made of only mono and hook(s). No swivel, no clips, no terminal tackle gadgets nor gizmos. A single jig, jig with a teaser, hi/lo chicken rig or simple single-drop rig will all catch fish. I generally tie up with 40-50 pound Ande monofilament leader. I’ll use fluorocarbon when I want a stiffer longer dropper loop that helps stands the bait away from the main line.
I tend to stay away from the classic long-leader three-way rigs loaded with beads, spinners, floats and other jewelry. They certainly catch fish for some, but for the way I like to fish the ocean tight to structure, a simple presentation is best. They are easy to tie up. Require only two ingredients (line and hook). Snag less and are way cheaper. I also like to be in direct contact with bottom and bites which a long leader three way or long leader hi/lo doesn’t provide. What they do offer is great freedom for live bait fishing. Use them if fishing spot, snappers, mullet or peanut bunker.
On nice days, 2-3 ounces is commonly enough weight. Wind, current and tide can require 4-6 ounces, but I rarely want to fish much more than 3-4 ounces. Instead, I’ll work to control the drift. Short drifting while bumping the engine into reverse against the sea/current back trolling to slow the drift or commonly use my Rhodan trolling motor to hold my position and creep around productive bottom. I will also utilize a drift sock making longer drifts. By controlling the drift speed one can fish without the burden of unnecessary weight.
My goals are simple… Fish as light as the conditions allow while maintaining consistent contact with the bottom.Fish structure with large baits.
Don’t Give Up on Bay & Inlet Fluke
The ocean isn’t the only fluke option. There are still quality fish inside Barnegat Bay and around the inlet. Don’t abandon the bay just because September is approaching.
As summer progresses, more fish begin filtering out of the backwaters and using the main channels and thoroughfares leading toward the inlet. The inlet itself becomes a natural funnel, but that doesn’t mean every fluke has left the bay. There are still plenty of fluke with some very respectable size ones left inside.
Above, Jimmy Nacion holds a 9# fluke and a just over 18″ keeper. Both were caught Friday August 28th fishing live mullet. He was not in the ocean! Jimmy said, “It was a grind but when the tide switched it was game on. Not a bite before.” Anyone who doesn’t know Jimmy, he’s no stranger to big fluke.. He weighed in a 12.18# fluke on August 1st and has caught many other sizable fluke this year and past years.
Live minnows, mullet, spot, snappers, peanut bunker and spearing can all be excellent fluke bait choices. Gulp is also a dependable producer. One recent surf angler told us he struggled fishing Gulp while an angler nearby was doing very well using live minnows. This is a good reminder that sometimes changing the bait and technique is more important than changing locations. Speaking of the surf…
Surf Fishing – Kingfish, Croakers, Fluke & Blues
The Long Beach Island surf offers a mixed bag right now. Kingfish remain one of the most dependable targets . Croakers have been a major part of the 2026 summer story. There are also spot, fluke, bluefish and other species like bonito in the mix.
For kingfish, keep things small. A traditional kingfish rig with #4-#6 hooks is a great setup. Either J-hooks or circle hooks work. Bloodworms are excellent bait, and Fishbites are convenient and very productive alternative. Red is my first choice in the clean water we’ve had, although pink and chartreuse also catch.
For sinkers, a pyramid is the standard surf choice. Two to four ounces will cover many situations, but always select enough weight to hold bottom based on the swell, wind and current.
Also remember that fluke frequently close to the sand if there is a tough or pocket at the lip of the beach. They are rooting around the shell piles picking off sand fleas and other crustaceans. We’ve had reports of anglers catching numbers of shorts with many of those fish sitting right at the lip. Don’t automatically start bombing every cast. You might be casting over the fish and not working it in slow enough. Work the trough and water immediately in front of you by stepping back and taking your rod from the straight up 12 o’clock position and come down to the 2-3 o’clock angle to side arm fluke off the lip.
The Summer of the Croaker
If there’s one fish that has defined the variety of this summer it is the croaker. After being relatively scarce for a number of years, croakers returned in good numbers this season and have stuck around for many weeks.
Croakers are being caught throughout the bay and along the surf. We have heard reports of croakers and spot closer to and outside the inlet. That could be an early indication that some of these warm-water “summer time saltwater panfish” are beginning to move out. On a recent trip I caught both croakers and blowfish in the ocean less than 2 miles from Barnegat Inlet in 35′ of water. We started getting our Gulp baits pecked alive. Then snagged a few jigging. Eventually switched over one rod to a small hook spot rig and lit em up catching double headers every drop.
Hopefully the croakers stick around into the fall. Years ago we enjoyed some very good croaker fishing from the LBI surf. It would be great to see that develop again. Time will tell.
Blowfish have been a different story. We never really experienced the strong blowfish bite we’ve enjoyed during recent summers. However, more anglers targeting croakers and spot have begun picking a few. There are also more spike weakfish around to add to our current mixed-bag fishery.
Did you know weakfish are members of the drum family, Sciaenidea… along with spot, croakers, black drum, red fish and sea trout. These fish can make a drumming or croaking sound by using special muscles around their swim bladder. Below is a weakfish store staffer Emmet caught fishing in the bay on the evening of Friday August 28th. He reported the area he was fishing was, “Loaded here!”
Bluefish From 6″ to 6 Plus Pounds
Bluefish continue to provide action with a tremendous range of sizes. On one recent trip, our first cast of the day produced a yellow-eyed bluefish around six to eight pounds. Then the last baited drop of the day produced a six inch snapper. In between those extremes are plenty of cocktail blues racing around the bay, inlet and occasionally the surf.
For the larger and medium size yellow eyes, a slender swimming plug such as the Daiwa SP Minnow is one of my favorite choices. They’re easy to cast, easy to fish and extremely effective day in and day out. Don’t be afraid to retrieve them fast. Also adding aggressive rips and sweeping movements can really bring the lure to life and trigger a strike.
For snappers, it’s hard to beat the classic snapper popper with a miniature metal trailer, often called a Snapper Zapper. This popping-cork-style rig is an easy and productive way to fish bayside bulkheads without the need for bait.
If you want to bait fish with spearing, a spear/skewer rig is another excellent choice. It uses a stiff wire with a removable hook and is essentially a miniature version of the classic mullet rig. This rig can be fished on bottom with a leader and weighed three way or it can be fished off a bobber or popping cork/float.
As the mullet become increasingly abundant, larger blues can be targeted with mullet on a Fireball Rig or traditional mullet rig. Keep this technique in mind because the importance of mullet should only increase as we move into and through September.
Tog, Sheepshead & Triggerfish Around the Structure
Barnegat Inlet and other local inshore structure continue to offer another mixed bag opportunity. Tog, sheepshead and triggerfish are all possibilities. Expect the tog fishing to improve in both size and abundance as the water temperatures cool during September.
Anthony Butch (above) scored this triggerfish, one of many wreck fish catches fishing with his dad aboard the Wreck Taco. Below, late summer mixed bag success aboard the Wreck Taco this past week; fluke, tog, triggers, sea bass, bluefish.
Green crabs and sand fleas are the two most popular baits, but if I could only pick one right now I’d go with sand fleas because of their versatility and ease of access. Tog and sheepshead love them, but so do so many other game species like kingfish, fluke, sea bass and striped bass. Just about anything will eat a mole crab aka sand flea.
For anglers specifically hunting sheepshead, gathering fiddler crabs or ghost crabs can be the golden bait. But catching them can be a lot of work and at times a dirty job.
Small Bottom Sweeper Jigs and Magictail Back Bay Jigs in the 1/2 to 1-1/2 ounce range are excellent options. Choose the lightest jig that allows you to effectively reach and hold bottom or maintain a depth if elevating without sliding back in the current. Traditional rigs don’t need to be complicated either. A simple hi/lo with a loop for the sinker at the bottom or a single-drop rig gets the job done.
Bottom Sweeper Jigs
Bottom fishing jigs that are great for Tog & Sheepshead!
Late summer marks the time of year when every boater, surfer and coastal angler needs to start watching the tropics more closely. Tropical activity is beginning to ramp up and even distant systems can send long period ground swell toward New Jersey.
Long period swell combined with an outgoing tide deserves particular respect in and around our inlets. Barnegat Inlet as well as BI’s east bar can become especially dangerous when incoming swell begins feeling the shallow bottom and standing up. The same general caution applies around Little Egg Inlet and its shoals. Conditions offshore can appear manageable and then a set wave pops up out of no where.
Know the conditions. Know the location of shoals. Understand the tides and current. Don’t underestimate the energy of long-period swell!
We’re entering one of my favorite stretches of the entire fishing season. The crowds begin to thin, mornings become cooler, the water remains warm and there’s an incredible variety of fish available with tons of bait! Summer isn’t over yet, but the hints of fall are showing.
Brayden Jany caught this 38″ striped bass plugging the Barnegat Inlet Wednesday evening.
Right now inshore you can target fluke, bluefish, striped bass, sea bass, bonito, albies, croakers, kingfish, spot, weakfish, triggerfish, sheepshead and tog! That list will continue evolving as the water begins cooling and our fall bait migrations develop. Pay attention to the bait, water temperature, wind and tide. Be willing to change techniques and don’t get locked into fishing the same way you did a few weeks ago. The transition itself creates some of the best opportunities.
If you’re heading out fishing Long Beach Island, stop into Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom for the latest local fishing information, fresh and live bait, rigs, Gulp, jigs, plugs, leader and any tackle needs. We’re open daily year-round.
Helping anglers catch more fish since 1962!
Get out there and enjoy it. Local summer is just getting started and some of the best fishing of the year is still ahead this fall!
