The summer flounder (fluke) season is in full swing along the Jersey coast, and the bite has been the inshore highlight this week. Fish are coming from the back bays, inlets, and nearshore reefs and lumps on Gulp-and-bucktail combos and minnow-squid rigs. The better keeper-class fish have favored the inlet edges and the deeper nearshore structure on the moving tides.
Striped bass are still around for the tail end of the spring run, holding along the beaches, in the bays, and around the back-bay structure. Bunker chunks, live baits, and plugs worked the rips early and late have produced — anglers should check current striped bass regulations carefully before keeping any fish.
Black sea bass are biting well on the wrecks and reef sites, offering reliable bottom action and good table fare on clams and squid. Bluefish are blitzing bait pods in the inlets and along the beaches, providing fast light-tackle fun for surf and boat anglers alike.
Offshore, the tuna and early mahi scene is heating up at the canyons and offshore lumps for the boats that can make the run on the weather windows. Nearshore, scattered kingfish and croaker have shown in the surf for beach anglers.
Fish the moving tides for fluke and the low-light windows for bass. The flounder and sea bass bite should remain strong through June as water temperatures climb.