Community Corner

Fishing Seasons Open, Close This Week

Sea bass, fluke affected by changes.

The upcoming weekend will be the last chance to catch summer flounder on a day off for some New Jersey anglers.

The season closes Sept. 28, a week from today.

Reports this week showed fluke action wasn't too bad up and down the coast, with decent catches reported in the easternmost sections of the Manasquan River and occasional nice fish being caught at Barnegat Inlet as well.

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According to a report from The Dock Outfitters in Seaside Heights, fluke were being beached in that town by surf anglers who were using various baits. Even for the ocean, Berkley Gulp baits were mostly preferred by anglers.

A keeper fluke is 17.5 inches under the 2012 regulations.

Find out what's happening in Gallowaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On the good news front, sea bass fishing will reopen Sunday. The minimum size limit for this species is 12.5 inches. Anglers can keep a maximum of 25 fish per day, each.

This season's surprise surge of weakfish has continued into now-late September. Anglers told me this week that fish have been caught at the Mantoloking Bridge in Brick as well as the Route 72 bridge between Manahawkin and LBI. Soft plastic baits are taking them. Night fishing is recommended.

Jersey Hooker Outfitters on Route 88 in Brick posted a photo on its Facebook page Thursday night of a Toms River man, identified only as Mark, who caught a 3-pound, 19-inch drum in the Point Pleasant Canal (his photo is attached to this article). Other reports from the canal this week indicated the overall bite has been decent, with anglers pulling striped bass and blues regularly.

Blowfish have continued to hang around the BI and BB markers in Barnegat Bay, as well as at High Bar Harbor and the areas in and around Barnegat Inlet.

According to the folks at Surf City Bait and Tackle on LBI, kingfish and fluke, as well as the occasional striper, were being hooked by surf anglers.

On a final note, it has been observed that a massive amount of shoaling has developed in Manasquan Inlet following the storm Tuesday. Something of a "beach" has formed INSIDE the inlet's south jetty in Point Pleasant Beach, leading to breaking waves and shallow waters. If you're heading out of Squan this weekend, be careful!


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