The Memorial Day Weekend was a good but breezy one. The coastal storm (Nor’easter) that was then followed by stiff westerlies and sunny yet cool temperatures had it feeling more like Labor Day or Columbus Day as opposed to the unofficial kick off to summer. The neighborhood was buzzing and good fishing went down on the beach and bay. Here’s the Long Beach Island Memorial Day Weekend Fishing Report Recap brought to you by Fisherman’s Headquarters, Long Beach Island’s full service bait and tackle shop.
LBI Surf Fishing Report – Striped Bass, Bluefish & Fluke
The Long Beach Island surf scene is alive with activity; however spotty at times. The striped bass are still here in good numbers cruising the suds and clam theme continues as the top producing bait. Live sand fleas is another great bait on the surf which may attract a bite from a variety of species. At this point in the spring season fishing the surf both day or night, no matter the tide will offer a good shot at striped bass.
In addition to the bass, there’s a solid showing of bluefish ranging from cocktails to gators. A number of anglers have reported hooking up on plugs and bait. Both mullet and bunker are what you want to soak for blues and you might also score bass! Some rig up with wire leader however I suggest using extra heavy and hard leader. I prefer 80# Seaguar Fluorocarbon when chunking the surf and blues are present. While considering the rig it’s best to choose a circle this way if a striped bass is caught it will be in compliance with the coastwide circle hook striped bass regulation/mandate. More info on Fishing For Striped Bass With Circle Hooks.
At times the surf has been loaded with big dogfish so that can add some line pulling action as well as a let down once landed. To stay away from doggies fish lures or larger chunk baits. At times fishing through them provides a big bass reward.
Long Beach Island / Barnegat Bay Fluke Fishing Report
The 2025 fluke season is also off to a strong start. We’re seeing quality and quantity from both beach and boat anglers. Land based anglers are doing really good on the surf and jetty with many limit catches reported and some large size fluke. Some large fluke were shared in recent reports, but nothing close to this monster caught by Simon Barlett! He scored a 29″ 8.12# fluke off the LBI surf this past weekend. It fell for a 5″ white Gulp Jerk Shad fished on his teaser hook.
Gulp scented softbaits are doing its usual magic, especially the Grubs and Jerk Shads in white, pink shine and chartreuse among others. For me fishing the bay, the Gulp Shrimp’s have out fished my usual MVP Grubs. The three boats best fishing the pack of boats two days in a row were all using shrimp too. Color didn’t matter as much as profile. A lot of the fluke we caught were all stuff and spitting up grass shrimp and (what I believe to be) tiger shrimp.
As far as rigging up… Use a single jig, a jig with a teaser above or a high / low set up with a looped on weight at bottom. Baiting up with live minnow, spearing, squid strip and Gulp will all do the trick.
This fishery will offer fun fishing a tasty table fare all spring and summer. It’s an easy access fishery that land based, paddle board, kayak, small boat anglers can score. In many situations the small floatation approaches provide an advantage over bigger boats that can’t fish the backwaters.
In addition to fluke, schoolie striped bass remain active in the back, especially around dusk and dawn, when boat traffic is least. There’s great light tackle fun. The bay also offers bluefish and occasional weakfish. The past week’a chilly weather has kept the waters cool and will help prolong our spring fishery from warming up too quick.
Crabbing and clamming are other opportunities to mix it up too.
Fishermans Headquarters Bait & Tackle
Whether you’re working plugs or bait in the surf, heading offshore for sea bass or tuna, or exploring the backwaters for fluke, striped bass and bluefish, the current variety is what makes the spring time of year so exciting. Now is the time to go fish!
Before you go, swing into Fisherman’s Headquarters for premium baits and the right fishing gear to make the most of your next outing. We have what you need to dial in!
