The summer sun is scorching and the fishing is even hotter! There’s a smorgasbord of opportunities for anglers fishing the waters of Long Beach Island. Beat the heat and get on the water!
Right now in mid July there’s a variety of avenues for an enjoyable time on the bay, surf, near shore and mid-shore/offshore waters.
Barnegat Bay Fishing Report
Crabbing and clamming are two great ways to enjoy the Barnegat Bay and enjoy a tasty harvest. Fluke fishing is good and should be all summer however a large body has moved out. Weakfish are being caught occasionally as bycatch by flukers and those targeting them are catching. Blowfish do not seem to be as abundant as last year but there’s some around. We’ll have to wait and see if it tee’s off again. There reports of spot (in strong numbers) being caught in Delaware… will they show up here this summer? It has been a few years since we’ve seen big waves of them.
Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Report
The LBI surf is warm and with the summertime surf species; fluke, kingfish, weakfish, small blues, sharks, rays. Just this week the cow nose rays have showed in large numbers. There’s also still a couple straggler stripers (in addition to the small residence)…
Here’s a report shared by Joe Handley Jr. a LBI angler and long time friend of Fish Heads… “Fifty years of fishing, I’ve seen and been part of many crazy and almost unbelievable catches. Tonight might have taken the cake. A quick after work session before dark I was targeting large fluke from the LBI surf. Interesting enough I was consistently catching 12-13″ weakfish and also caught a herring. Not long after sunset, I hooked and landed my personal best striped bass. It taped out at 52.75″, roughly 58-lbs crushing my previous 51” 49-lber. It was caught on a Magictail bucktail. Thanks Date at Magictail for making great products. In New Jersey, mid July, 70-ish degree water… Doesn’t get any crazier! There were sand fleas washing up all over. I was thinking I should be pompano fishing or targeting Spanish mackerel since the water was so clean and warm. Low and behold there was a large striped bass, apparently very lost striped bass.
Nearshore & Inshore Fishing LBI
The same species listed above in the bay and surf report section fall under the near shore section here. The primary star of the current inshore fishing is summer flounder. Right now is the time to fish the inlets, near shore open bottoms as well as the wrecks and reef sites. Black sea bass offer fun fishing in the right areas of structure in addition to triggerfish and sheepshead.
Central NJ Midshore & Offshore Fishing Report
This past week NJ’s offshore angers had great fishing from mid shore to offshore and areas in between. We’ve hear great reports all week from the waters 20-50 miles out of Barnegat inlet with anglers catching bluefin and yellowfin tuna on the troll, jig and pop. I was fortunate enough to take advantage of the great forecast/conditions Wednesday and Thursday. I got out there and didn’t necessarily get into epic fishing but was in the mix of good fishing and caught. Further offshore at the edge, there was talk in the shop of a very good bigeye tuna bite.
Hey Greg,
Dan here from Western Pa., we haven’t met but really enjoy your vids, and all the knowledge that you share! I look forward to your weekly updates!! Wife and I discovered LBI about 3 years ago and have been back 4 times now. I also have met and been out with Steve George twice now, found him thru your web page. Steve put me on a half doz. fluke up north on LBI, from the Surf, about 3 weeks ago. These were my first fluke and I did land and release 1 – 19″er. Steve seems to be a great guy and I think he really enjoys teaching and seeing his clients be successful. My passion is Musky, Smallmouth and Walleye, but enjoy catching and learning about all species of fish. Striper fishing is my new passion but haven’t landed any from the surf yet, we do have Hybrid Stripers here in West. Pa that we target mostly at night. , casting Bombers and Xraps. Avg. at 18-22″ at 3 to 6 lbs.
I’m hoping on our next LBI trip to possibly schedule a trip with you, focusing on Stripers. Maybe next April or May if things work out.
I have been in your shop about 4 times now and it’s great to see and hear you Staff helping folks out and I believe them. I don’t get the sense there just selling folks supplies, just for for $$$$. Seems like a passion to really help folks succeed!
Sorry to drag this out, but just wanted to share a few thoughts. I am hoping to hit LBI late Nov., Stripers heading south, but time will tell. About a 6.5 hr drive for me. Please keep the great Vids coming and maybe you’ll see me around Thxgiving.
Stay safe on the H2O
Dan Umstead
Butler Pa.