The Jersey Shore is in early-summer form, with striped bass still around, fluke season open and producing, and sea bass stacked on the wrecks. The first week of June gives surf, bay, and boat anglers plenty to chase. Here is the rundown.
What’s Biting
Striped bass are still in the game, working the surf, the back bays, and around Raritan Bay and the rivers. Fluke (summer flounder) season is open and the bite is building in the bays, inlets, and on the nearshore lumps. Black sea bass are open and stacking on the wrecks and reefs. Bluefish are along the beaches, and the first weakfish are showing in the back bays.
Where to Find Them
Work the surf and the inlets for stripers, and the back bays of Barnegat and Raritan for both bass and early fluke. Drift the bay channels, the inlets, and the nearshore lumps for keeper fluke. Sea bass are on the wrecks and reef sites in 60–100 feet. Bluefish are blitzing along the open beaches on the bait pods.
Tides & Conditions
Fluke fishing is best on the moving tide in the bays and inlets. Stripers feed hard at first and last light in the surf. Water is warming through the 60s. Keep an eye on the wind for the open-water sea bass and fluke runs. Mornings remain the most consistent window.
Tackle & Tactics
For fluke, drift bucktails tipped with Gulp or a squid-and-spearing combo along the bottom. Stripers eat bunker chunks and clams in the surf, and plugs and soft plastics in the bays and rivers. Sea bass take clams and jigs on the wrecks. Toss metal for the blitzing blues.
This Week’s Tip
For bay fluke, target the edges where the channel drops into the flat. Keepers sit on the deeper side of the drop and ambush bait sliding off the shallows on the moving tide. Drift the edge, not the middle of the channel, and you’ll trade short fish for keepers.