North Jersey fishing is gradually taking on more of a summertime personality, with great weather and summer species like bluefish and fluke dominating the fishery. Although there are other types of fish in the June mix, these two popular species each have something special to offer anglers; namely, blues are fun to catch and fluke are great to eat.

   June is somewhat of a transition month. Many fish are moving in while some already here are simply assuming diminished roles. One can expect to see weakfish, blackfish, ling, sea bass, tuna, sharks, dolphin, swordfish, tilefish, cod, pollock, and even a stray black drum in the mix. Striped bass are still around, but with a significantly lower profile in the surf than during May. Pesky scavengers like skates, sea robins, spiny dogfish, crabs, and blunt-nose rays can complicate things for anglers fishing with bait rigs.

 

 

   Increasingly warmer water and the advancing season have hurt striped bass fishing in Raritan Bay, with the better action moving out into the ocean. Although clams can still catch bay bass, the hot bait is now live bunker that is live-lined or fresh mossbunker cut into chunks. Have weighted, treble-hook rigs onboard to snag free, super-fresh baits whenever a school of mossbunker is encountered. Those anglers who are intent on throwing clam will still catch a few stripers, plus black drum may hit clam baits intended for Raritan Bay bass.

   Another productive method for catching striped bass in June is to troll bunker spoons and umbrella rigs in the vicinity of the Shrewsbury Rocks and off Elberon. Live mossbunker, fresh bunker chunks and live eels fished in these areas will produce stripers. Clams will still catch bass at Flynn’s Knoll and Romer Shoal near the tip of Sandy Hook, but not like they did in May.

   Bunker baits for stripers are equally attractive to bluefish that are thick throughout the bay this month. If blues are not everywhere throughout North Jersey rivers and bays, it will certainly seem like they are. Bluefish can be caught on jigs within 3 miles of the beach during the day, at such consistent June producers as the Klondike, the Farms and Shrewsbury Rocks. Night fishing for blues with chum at spots like the edge of the Mud Hole is exceptionally good in June.

   Scattered big weakfish will also attack bunker chunks in Raritan Bay, the Shrewsbury River and Manasquan Inlet.    

 

 

   There should be a nice mix of throwback and keeper fluke in Shark River and Manasquan Inlet, with some bigger fish in Sandy Hook Channel that can be caught when the wind and tide cooperate. Fish big baits like snapper blues to weed out some of the smaller, sub-legal fish.

   Fluke can be found all along the shoreline from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet in depths from 25 feet out to over 40 feet. Any kind of inshore structure is a plus. The traditional early season hot spot for fluke is the “Bug Light” just inside Sandy Hook. The congestion there can often be frustrating for boat anglers who do not like to be crowded. The point of Sandy Hook, Flynn’s Knoll and the ocean side off Sandy Hook are some nearby alternatives.

 

 

   The surf water temperature normally gets pretty high during June, sometimes nearing 70 degrees by the end of the month. This makes striper fishing tough but not impossible. Bunker chunks and clams will still catch fish, with bunker holding a distinct advantage. Bunker heads caught some huge bass and big weakfish in last year’s June surf. Unfortunately, blues like mossbunker baits as much as bass do.

   Expect to see lots of bluefish along the New Jersey shoreline in June. They will attack just about anything that moves. June bluefish blitzes are not as frequent as those found during the fall run, but they are just as much fun. Surface popping plugs are the most exciting way to hook up with these aggressive feeders when they’re in the surf.

   This author’s favorite June surf bait is fresh bunker cut into chunks. Although I expect bass and blues to love the bunker chunks, one never knows what they are going to hook up with when they bait their rigs with it. In addition to catching sea robins and even fluke on bunker baits, I have also caught blunt-nose rays and smooth dogfish. While these may not be glamorous species, their sheer size makes them formidable opponents.

   Fluke do make a showing in the June surf, but not a strong appearance like later in the season during August and September. Live minnows worked through the surf shallows get the best results. To maximize the fun of catching these summer flounder, use equipment as light as one’s good judgment allows. Also, expect sea robins to attack the baits without mercy.

 

 

   June is one of the best months to catch sea bass because they are closest to the beach from May through the summer months. Any kind of underwater structure, including wrecks and rough bottom, will hold sea bass. Artificial reefs such as the Sea Girt Reef and Sandy Hook Reef, as well as places like the Mud Buoy are great areas to try. For those willing to burn a little more fuel, ling can still be found on deep Mud Hole wrecks and at the Klondike. If fuel prices are not a hindrance, cod and pollock can still be found on the deep offshore wrecks.

 

 

   June is mako shark season. These spirited fighters can be found from the fathom-lines out to the canyons. Areas such as the Glory Hole and Chicken Canyon often produce nice makos. Live or filleted bluefish is great bait to use when fished free-spool under a balloon. It is also not too late to see a few blue sharks in the mix as well. Closer to the beach, huge thresher sharks work the bunker schools along with the bass and blues, so try a live bunker to entice a hit if the opportunity presents itself, making sure that the rod and reel are of a class capable of handling the ensuing fight.

   Count on lots of action firing up in the canyons with yellowfin and bluefin tuna, dolphin, swordfish, and tilefish.

   June is a great month for fishing throughout North Jersey waters. The weather is pleasant, the species many, and the water temperature conducive to actively feeding fish. Enjoy the opportunities now because once the heat of July and August translates into significantly higher water temperatures, the summer doldrums set in and inshore fishing throughout the area suffers.