Jersey is deep into its summer pattern. The fluke fishing has moved off the back bays onto the reefs and wrecks, the canyon boats are getting good tuna numbers, and the surf has settled into a reliable morning bite for kingfish and small blues.
What’s Hitting
Fluke are the primary target, with the better keepers coming from the reef sites and the wrecks rather than the shallow bay. Sea bass are around the same structure. Offshore, yellowfin tuna and mahi are the story in the canyons, with longfin mixed in and a scattering of bigeye at night. Bluefish are widespread. In the surf, kingfish, croaker, and small blues are steady at dawn. Striped bass have gone quiet in the heat, with the few fish around coming at night in the back bays and the rivers.
Where to Find Them
Work the Sea Girt, Axel Carlson, and Manasquan reef sites for fluke, plus the wrecks in 60 to 90 feet. Sea bass are on the same structure. Canyon action is centered on the Hudson, Toms, and Lindenkohl. Surf fishing has been best from Island Beach State Park south, on the incoming at first light. Back bay night action for stripers is in the Barnegat and Manasquan river systems.
Tides & Conditions
Post-full-moon tides are strong through midweek. Ocean temps are near 74 inshore and warm blue water is in tight at the canyon edges. Seas have been 2 to 3 feet with a southerly breeze building each afternoon. Water in the back bays is pushing 80, which explains the quiet striper picture.
Tackle & Tactics
For fluke on structure, a heavy bucktail with a Gulp trailer and a teaser above it — you need enough weight to stay vertical over the wreck. Sea bass are a high-low rig with clam or squid. Tuna trips are a daytime spreader-bar spread plus chunking on the anchor. Surf anglers want a two-hook bottom rig with bloodworm or Fishbites, or a small metal for the blues.
Local Intel This Week
The Manasquan River ramps at Brielle, the Barnegat Light ramp, and the Belmar Marina ramp are the main public launches. Island Beach State Park offers excellent beach access with a buggy permit. Fish are concentrating on offshore structure and reef sites this week. New Jersey fluke, sea bass, and striped bass rules all differ by season and area — check current NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations and seasons before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Fluke on a wreck is a vertical game, not a drift game. Use enough lead to keep your line straight up and down, work the bucktail with short lifts, and reset the drift the moment you scope out — the doormats sit right on the structure and will not chase.