This week along the Jersey coast, the fluke fishing has settled into its summer structure pattern, the bluefin are close enough for a sane day trip, and the first mahi of the season are showing on the mid-range grounds. Classic mid-July — something for every fuel budget.
What’s Hitting
Fluke are the bread and butter, with the better fish on the ocean reefs and rough bottom in 40 to 80 feet rather than the bays. Bluefin from rats to overslots are working bait inside 40 miles, with a steady pick on the jig and troll. Mahi have arrived on the pots and mid-range lumps, sea bass and ling are filling out reef trips, and the back bays are giving up kingfish, croaker, and short fluke on the light gear. Sharks and rays are keeping the surf crowd entertained after dark.
Where to Find Them
The reef sites and snags off the central coast are holding the quality fluke — the bay fish have mostly slid out with the warm water. Bluefin reports have been scattered from the Mud Hole south to the ridges; find the bait and the whales and you’ve found the tuna. The mahi are on any pot ball in 20-plus fathoms.
Tides & Conditions
Ocean water temps are in the low 70s with decent clarity between blows. The strong tides this week put good drift speed on the reefs — bring a range of bucktail weights.
Tackle & Tactics
For structure fluke, a heavier bucktail tipped with Gulp and a squid strip teaser fished tight to the bottom is the program — braid and a fast rod tip to feel the snags. Bluefin want sand-eel-profile jigs worked below the marks, or a spreader-bar troll when they’re scattered. For mahi, a light spinning rod and a bucket of chunks around the pots is all it takes.
Local Intel This Week
Leonardo State Marina on Raritan Bay, the Belmar municipal ramp on the Shark River, and the Great Bay ramps near Graveling Point cover the coast’s public access well this week. Fish are concentrating on the ocean structure and the mid-range bait grounds. Fluke seasons, sizes, and limits are specific to New Jersey waters this year — check current NJ Fish & Wildlife regulations before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
On the reefs, the biggest fluke hold on the up-current edge of the structure, not in the middle of it. Set your drift to cross the edge, and when you connect with a keeper, hit the waypoint — summer flatties stack, and one good fish usually means five more on the same line.