Fishing Report: 8/7/20

Hello! This is the Sea Isle News fishing report. This report will give you the where, when and how of fishing our local waters. We hope this information will help you catch the big one! Suggested bait and tackle in this report can be obtained at any of the local fishing shops. The "What" Kingfish Here is a list of fish (some common, some not as common) found in New Jersey waters: Blowfish, Bluefish, Croaker, Flounder, Kingfish, Ling, Oyster Toad Fish, Perch, Sea Bass, Sea Robin, Shad Sharks, Sheepshead, Skate, Spot, Striper(Striped bass), Triggerfish, Weakfish, Black Drum, Red Drum and many others. The "Where" Some suggestions for locations in/near Sea Isle: Beach fishing (where allowed), the north end beaches near Strathmere, Corsons Inlet (far north end) and the Townsends Inlet Park at the south end of the island are excellent locations. Bridge/Pier fishing: 59th St fishing pier, 79th St bulkhead. Bay fishing: Along the south side of the causeway and any street end that is open to the public. Notes:

1. Tide-forecast.com or any reliable tide app on your smart phone will help you fish at the right time of day. I suggest a few hours before and after high tide.
2. For the 2020 NJ recreational fishing regulations, go to:

njfishandwildlife.com Back Bay Flounder The ocean water temperature rose and fell a few times this week with the storms. Current ocean temp is 74 degrees. The fluctuation didn't cause a whole lot of damage, with the exception of, it appears that the larger Summer Flounder have finally moved out to deeper waters. Summer fishing is in high gear, with lots of variety and lots of action.  Local anglers are reporting catches of Flounder, Croakers, Blues, Snapper Blues, Sea Robins and Oyster Toad Fish. This week saw an uptick of Sheepshead (mostly under the bridges) and Triggerfish! The summer Flounder catch has remained strong. More keeper-size being reported as they mature. Reports of 7 - 9 pounders are being hooked! The main take right now in the bay are Flounder being taken with minnows, cut squid, and bucktails (Pink is the HOT color this week!). Good spots to catch all these fish mentioned is the Townsends Inlet Park on the south end, Corsons Inlet on the north end (Strathmere), the south side of the Sea Isle Causeway, the bulkhead at 80th St and the 59th St fishing pier. Piers and Bridges The variety has expanded with the warmer water this week; including Flounder, Blues, Croakers, Sea Robin, Snapper Blues and Oyster Toad fish. Some Triggerfish as well. The Sheepshead catch has really been exceptional around the bridges - being taken on fiddler crabs on jig heads. Flounder and Triggerfish are biting on squid and minnows - on smaller hooks (#4 or #6 hooks).  Cut bait (bunker or squid) for the Blues, Croakers, Sea Robins, Snapper Blues and Oyster Toad fish. Surf Croaker Beach fishing is very good right now! Kingfish, Croakers, Weakfish, Flounder, Snapper Blues, and even some Spanish Mackeral are all being hooked in the surf. The Kingfish bite is strong, Flounder bite is strong, and the Weakfish bite is strong. It's a good summer for anglers!! Bloodworms on an over/under rig are the bait of choice for all of these species. Cut bait and clams on a weighted rig will also work. The sun is shining, the water is warm, so get out there and fish!