Things have been strong in the LBI fishing arena with a variety of species for both beach and boat anglers. The past week there was an influx of bluefish which made for drag pulling excitement. Also some of the spring’s largest striped bass were caught and released (due to the new regulations). Anglers fishing bunker on the surf have caught striped bass and bluefish among incidentals; dogfish, skates, brown sharks. Anglers fishing clam on the surf have caught striped bass and some size-able black drum. Sea bass fishing at the mid-shore and offshore wreck sites has been productive. Fluke fishing has been good but not great for most. We are hoping that improved this month. Offshore fishing is firing up with reports of yellowfin, bluefin, big eye, tilefish among others starting.

Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Report

Recent Weigh In – Glenn Curtis caught a 17.86# 37-7/8″ striped bass off the LBI surf. He was fishing bunker and clam on the north end surf. His catch came on bunker fished short, close to the beach.

Another great report came in from Jim Crane who caught a brown shark, two blues, a big black drum and a big striped bass. Lots of other striped bass and bluefish were reported the past few days.

Upcoming Fluke Fishing Tournaments

The 26th Anniversary JCAA Fluke Tournament is this Saturday, June 11th. Join in because there’s a lot to win!!!… $50,000, A Boat/Motor/Trailer, Thousands is Region & Door Prizes! Enter the doormat fluke category for $25 and if you catch the largest fluke over 12 lbs. you will win $50,000. There is also a $1200 cash prize for the largest fluke caught in each of our 7 regions. The cash prizes are guaranteed regardless of the number of entrants. There are 1st to 7th prizes for each region so just about everyone may win a prize. The awards ceremony will be at Resorts Casino in AC with registration beginning at around 5 PM on 6/17/22. For complete details go to www.jcaa.org

Fluke-A-Mania – Saturday June 24, 2022

The 7th Annual Fluke-A-Mania Fluke Fishing Tournament hosted by the Beach Haven Marline & Tuna club is quickly approaching. Register now or at the Captain’s Meeting on Friday, June 24 from 5PM – 9PM. For more info… www.flukeamania.com/

The new month of June is here and with it we have a great variety of fishing opportinutes here on Long Beach Island and the surrounding waters. Both beach and boat anglers are catching. In recent days we’ve had good fishing for striped bass, blues, fluke, weakfish, kingfish and black drum, among others (sheepshead, blowfish, sea bass).

As per my last report video I hinted at the great opportunity for a shot at quality fish around the new moon (5/29-5/30), with a new wave of fish and possibly the spring’s biggest striped bass. Well, for the most part played out. More blues showed and some weakfish too. A few black drum catches popped up. And some big striped bass were caught.

There was a minor upwelling event that took place from Monday night’s hard south blow but fishing has continued right through it. If anything it was a great reprieve from the heat wave. Due to this event there are large water temperature swings at the Inlet and waters in close proximity. I had waters as cold as 51 degrees on the flood tide Tuesday and as warm as 75 degrees on the flats during outgoing tide. The south wind also ripped up the snot which was growing from spring’s fertilizer run off and now it’s a hindrance at many areas on the ebb tide. Knowing of this swing should help all better prepare for a trip.

Off The Surf – LBI Surf Fishing Report

The striped bass fishing has been steady, not epic, along the beaches of LBI. This spring has been one of the better runs and it keeps on giving. Clam has been the best bait for most of the spring. Finally some bunker pods are beginning to come together. Expect a couple more weeks of surf side stripers and then they will really thin down in abundance. The bluefish made a good showing the past few days with anglers catching some good size ones off the surf. As these surf temps creep into summer more kingfish will arrive and hold in the Island’s beach structure, toughs and holes. Fluke fishing off the LBI surf is decent at the prime structures. Both kingfish and fluke will offer good fishing all summer long.

Barnegat Inlet Fishing Report

The “big three” are all being caught regularly at the Inlet rocks; striped bass, bluefish and fluke. Now’s a great time to take a shot at not only a slam but a Barnaget Bay Grand Slam. Yes there’s weakfish being caught. Randy Edwards caught a nice one on a Kettle Creek Paddle Tail. Also reported from the area sheepshead and black drum.

In The Bay – LBI’s Bayside Fishing Report

What started out as a phenomenal first couple weeks has become more challenging; warmer temperatures, grasses conditions, lots more boat pressure and boat traffic. But anglers are working and putting together some good catches. One epic catch was reported in from Gina Brenner. She caught a 12# fluke fishing the bay with live bait.

I’ve been all around the bay and have caught fish at just about everywhere I fished however finding quality fish was a different story. One day I had five keepers and one short in a two hour session. But the next day eight shorts and one keeper. I can’t seem to find any sort of consistent theme but I’m hunting and working through the paces. Mid June is when I switch over to focus primarily on fluke. Yes I sacrifice some of the best early season fluke fishing but that’s when I’m 100% focused on striped bass.