Long Beach Island Fishing Report Update – August 15, 2018

Fun summer fishing on LBI continues. Anglers enjoy their time on the water fishing inshore, offshore and from shore with a variety of species available to target.

Anthony Smith recently stopped in with a Jetty Slam!!! Fishing crabs he caught one keeper tog (2.5lb, 16″), a trigger (4.5lb, 19.5″) and a sheepshead (4.2lb, 17″). He dropped another solid sheepshead too.

On the surf most target bluefish, fluke, kingfish and sharks. Snapper blues offer entertainment for all ages with an abundance of these quick hitting critters. Here’s a photo of Patrick Henry’s first catch. Target these small yellow eyes with small metal or small hooks tipped with meat (bunker). Evening surf anglers are catching and releasing sharks regularly. Also on the surf… BONITA! It’s rare but they are cruising the beaches.

This past weekend was the Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs (HOFNOD) kids fishing tournament. It was another successful year with 170 kids participating. About 50 scored with fish included bluefish, kingfish, sharks and skates.

In the bay some new faces are showing up. Recently a few blowfish reports popped up! Dave Werk stopped in and got a new light tackle Penn spinning reel for fishing the back bay. He reported, “The south end bay is producing some great eating fish! Both blowfish and trigger fish! I had about a dozen blowfish last trip out. Also lost a sheepshead.” We’ve heard a couple other blowfish reports from Barnegat Bay too.

Offshore fishing seemed to be hit or miss this past week. Some customers reports a whole lotta nothing however a few boats got out and found some life. Chris DeGennaro reported, “Wahoo, Marlin, Mahi and water spout. What else can I ask for… Maybe a tuna? Not my day!” Dan and Jeff aboard the Reel Innovation did good their past couple of trips. It seems like they are always on the meat! Captain Jeff reported, “We found some life away from the fleet. Everyone on board was welcomes into blue water fishing right catching a tuna on their first trip. They held up their end of the bargain and jumped into the water to celebrate!”