Author Topic: Island Beach State Park Fishing Report August 19, 2008 (Read 11688 times)

ped579 · « **on:** August 19, 2008, 06:13:00 PM »

August 19, 2008

Fishing at IBSP fishing has been going well. After a stormy start to the season and erosion taking a lot of the beach the sand has returned and it is much easier to maneuver on the beach. Still if you are going to venture out at night be careful of the cuts closer to the water line as the drop offs could be severe.

As of this date the fishing has been fairly good with most of the catch being taken in the early hours of the day when the sun is just coming up and dawn. You are still able to catch striped bass although few and far in between there are still some being taken especially after a storm has passed through. Check the sand and water line if you are seeing clam shells it is a good bet that the striper's will be targeting clams so bait up accordingly.

For the weakfish enthusiasts, the inlet and the pocket are starting to see them being caught on Fin-S lures in pink. If you like to fish at night try the canoe and kayak launch area by A21 parking lot. You can hear them breaking water back there. If you are inclined to try small poppers there as well you might be surprised and pick up a nice size striper as well. Also look for Kingfish to be in this area at night small hooks in the size of #2 or #3 are good sizes tipped with a sand worm or its look alike are working well.

If you are fishing for that all illusive fluke try smaller baits and do not cast out to far as they are in the wash this time of year. Just about any bait will work but I love to use small lures to entice them to strike. I like using small AVA 007's and to just bump along the bottom slowly picking up some sand along the way. Or another good way is to use small Bucktails tipped with white, chartreuse, or pink curly tails and a dropper loop with a Gulp shrimp bouncing just above the sand. You will see 9 out of 10 times the shrimp will get a strike first.

If you are more adventurous and would like to try your hand at sharking the season peaks on or about August 22. All I can say is the sharks have been cooperating and many have been landed so far. Large hooks in the 8/0 to 10/0 class are not out of the ordinary and whole bunker is the key. If you have a way to chum the waters even better yet. There are many Dog fish with brown sharks, black tips, blue sharks even a hammerhead has been sighted and landed on the beach. I have to warn you though the cow nose rays are around so be careful if you are dead sticking they will spool your reel in nothing flat and take your rig flying into the surf.

The North jetty has been producing a verity of fish this time of year with Bucktails taking the prize as the most popular rig to use. This week I did notice the waters there have been churned up as the Army Corps of Engineers have been dredging the inlet so if you go the conditions will change drastically form day to day. I will try and keep you posted.

As conditions can change drastically over time on the beach I would take the time and do your homework and learn how to read the beach. It is not hard and once you gain that knowledge your catch rate should go up. Check out the site for Reading the Beach. It is time well spent.

Happy Catching

Paul

surfrocket · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2008, 10:33:08 PM »

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Author Topic: Island Beach State Park Fishing Report August 19, 2008 (Read 11688 times)