Philadelphia & Suburbs

Conditions great for holiday fishing

By STEVE CARPENTER
Burlington County Times

This Labor Day weekend should prove to be ideal for saltwater anglers working anywhere along the coast. Fluke and croakers have been pretty plentiful for those fishing off the beaches, with impressive black bass coming from the wrecks.

Weakfish catches have been improving the last two weeks, but many continue to be throwbacks, with the north end of Long Beach Island a popular area.

Boats working Myers Hole, Marchelder Channel and B1 Buoy report better-than-average catches, with clam or the popular squid and minnow combo doing the trick. Much of the croaker catches are coming right off the beaches in about 40 feet of water, with clam and squid a top bait choice. Surf anglers are also scoring with croakers with clam baited on top and bottom rigs.

To the south at Delaware Bay, boats continue to pickup fair numbers of croakers, weaks and fluke. In addition, tautog have been reported from several areas. Anglers are reminded the tog season is closed until Sept. 28 in Delaware waters.

Those fishing for weakfish and striped bass are finding sporadic results, with the incoming most productive. Bottom action continues to be focused on croaker, spot, flounder, bluefish and weaks, with 14-Foot Light, Miah Maul and Crossledge getting most of the attention.