As we close in on the middle of August here on Long Beach Island, there’s a lot happening on the local fishing front. We had the new moon phase today, warm ocean temperatures generally hovering around the low 70s, some really hoy humid days and most importantly, there’s a lot of fishing variety and bait around. Small sand eels have been around Barnegat Inlet for the better part of two months and now we’re seeing more spearing, mullet and peanut bunker showing up (there’s a lot more of these around back still). It’s the Dog Days Of Summer but I can see some fall vibes ahead.
As time goes on way too fast we’ll see more signs of the transition with shorter days, cooling temperatures and more bait schooling up. There will also be plenty of opportunity for everything from fluke, kingfish and tog to bluefish, striped bass, triggerfish, sheepshead and even other species.
August is one of my favorite months to fish LBI because there are so many different options depending on where and how you want to fish. Here’s the Fishing LBI Fishing Report Update for Tuesday August 11, 2026.
Barnegat Bay Mixed Bag
Barnegat Bay continues to offer a summertime mixed bag with quantity easier to find than quality when it comes to fluke. There are lots of short fluke throughout the bay with a few keepers still mixed in, but many of the better fish appear to be transitioning toward the inlet and ocean. I suggest fishing spearing, live minnows and of course Gulp. Don’t over look real bait this time of year, especially when croakers, spot and blowfish can destroy a tub of Gulp baits fast.
Croakers are and have been abundant this summer. They offer easy light tackle action and are tasty. Croakers can be found around deeper holes and channels, just like blowfish. We haven’t seen the blowfish fishery really develop this summer. But some are around just not in big numbers. Maybe that changes soon but I’m not holding my breath.
There are also spike weakfish around. I’ve encountered them on numerous trips and also heard reports from other anglers. Small Gulp shrimp, live minnow, small soft plastics and other light-tackle presentations can be very effective for both the weakfish and bay fluke. Live grass shrimp is the best but good luck finding it. Snapper blues are also around and will hopefully pick up some as August progresses.
Barnegat Inlet Consistent Variety
Barnegat Inlet continues to be one of the most consistent places to find a variety of action. Bluefish have been around for the better part of two months and providing excellent light-tackle fishing. Most of the blues I’ve personally encountered recently have been around 3-4 pounds, with smaller cocktails as well as some better fish pushing into the 6-8+ pound class.
Summertime striped bass are always an option around the inlet for anglers willing to put in some early mornings, sunset sessions or even nightshifts especially during the prime stages of the tide. Land based anglers can fish lures working the rocks and bulkhead lights all summer long to score striped bass and weakfish.
Triggerfish and sheepshead are another possibility around the rocks and tog season is now open with a 15″ minimum size, on fish summer bag limit. For anglers new to tog fishing, you don’t need anything complicated. A small tog jig tipped with a green crab or sand flea is a great place to start. Fish it tight to the rocks and structure. Keep it more vertical and not scoped out and try to remain in contact with the bottom. BUT NOT JIGGING! Leave it lay still on bottom and be ready to set the hook when you feel the bite. Some anglers swing at the first bite. I like to feel them scratch with their front buckteeth and keep my tip low and ready to fire. Don’t swing on the little nibbles that is the tog investigating and sniffing out the offering. Sometimes they bite right away but many time (especially when it is colder) there is a little patience needed to get the right bite. And I’m ok with small tog stealing my bait and swimming off.
A simple single-hook bottom rig with enough weight (1-4 oz) to hold bottom is another good option. Just remember that tog live right in the structure, so snags are part of the game. If you’re never getting hung up, chances are you’re probably not fishing close enough to where the tog are hanging out tight to the structure.
Prime Ocean Fluke Fishing
It’s prime time ocean fluke fishing now, right to the end of the season. As long as the ocean waters stay warm it should remain good. August is my favorite month for fluke fishing. Over the past couple weeks there has been some very good fishing around the local reefs and wrecks as well as some open sand shell areas. I’ve recently had trips with 4-7 keepers, along with plenty of shorts.
Fish Structure
If you’re struggling to find better fish, my first suggestion is to fish structure and fish it tight. Don’t just aimlessly drift and dream. Learn the wrecks and reefs you fish, pay attention to where the bites occur. Short drift, work the motor, use a trolling motor… whatever you gotta do to work those nooks and crannies! If you aren’t snagging, you aren’t tight enough to the structure.
Big Baits
My second suggestion is to increase your bait size when targeting quality. Six-inch Gulp grubs will still catch small fish, but they can help select for better fluke. Whole squid, mackerel strips, bluefish strips, spot and even snapper blues can all be excellent big-fish offerings. I love long strip baits! Bigger baits aren’t magic, but combined with productive structure they can definitely improve your odds of connecting with a better class of fluke.
Simple Rigs
My third suggestion is don’t fish all the complicated rigs with hardware and jewelry. Keep it simple with a single jig, a single drop or a chicken rig (hi/lo). And make sure you have a rod that can handle a good size fluke with a strong backbone but not a pool cue. I also like rods with a longer butt section which makes jigging more comfortable on long days.
LBI Surf Fishing Options
The LBI surf is another great option right now, but it can be congested during this part of the summer. However in the coming days and weeks things will open up a bit.
Kingfish are probably the most dependable target along the beach, and all you need is a light rod, small hooks, enough weight to hold bottom and a small piece of bloodworm or Fishbites.
Fluke are also spread along the surf with plenty of shorts and some very good fish mixed in. Sal (photo below) recently checked in an impressive 27-inch fluke from the surf, showing that quality fish are absolutely available from the sand. Mark Kovich shared he has been getting into the action, catching short fluke along the surf as well as a croaker,]. He mentioned landed and loosing a big fluke while fishing the Barnegat Inlet rocks recently.
For surf fluke, keep it simple with Gulp on a jig or a dropper-loop rig and work the troughs, cuts and other areas with structure. Croakers are showing up on the ocean side too and an occasional bluefish can cruise through at any time.
Finish Out August Strong
The second half of August is an enjoyable stretches of the season and should provide a variety of challenging fishing targets. Before you head out, stop by Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom and get geared up with the right bait and tackle for the fishing you’re doing.
If you’re not local, shop with us online and use promo code… FishHead5 at checkout to SAVE 5% on your online order.
Then get out there, put some time in and enjoy what August fishing on Long Beach Island has to offer.
