Types of Catch Available

Sandy Hook

Sandy hook is one of  the most underrated fisheries around, but rich in fish resources. Just launching out of the highlands one can catch Striped, Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish, Fluke, Blackfish, Summer and Winter flounder. The place offers miles of brown, murky shallows full of all the state’s favorite inshore species. It is one of the most famous surf fishing areas in the northern part of the state. "The Rip” is considered to be one of the most popular areas to surf. The rip holds the bait and baitfish.

​It is bordered to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and to the west by Sandy Hook Bay. Although you don’t necessarily require a license to fish, an annual fishing permit can be availed at the Ranger Station.

North Shore

Muscle-covered rocks line this part of the coast making it a hot destination for Tautog and Seabass. These are tasty cooking fish, which most of the visitors look for. Deep sea fishing is what North Shore is famous for, as Stripers and Blues can also be found easily here aside from Hudson Canyon, Bluefin, Yellowfin, Bigeye and Albacore Tuna. To add to the fishing variety, Mako Sharks and White Marlin are also present.

North Shore has a lot to offer as a tourist spot with its well-built lodges, restaurants, and outdoor guides to make the experience worth having.

South Shore

South Shore, being the top tourist spot in the state, offers rich fishing opportunities in the region. Atlantic City and Brigantine draw crowds all summer mainly because of the iconic beaches, boardwalks and casinos. Unlike New York City, it is much more spacious when it comes to the fishing grounds, so one can fish in relatively  more peace. Apart from Marlin and Tuna - Stripers, Blues and weakfish can be found easily here if one is not willing to travel much.

The Southern Shore Region is located in the southeastern part of New Jersey

Delaware Bay

Delaware Bay is the hub for winter fishing. Most prize catches of winter can be found in Delaware Bay. Striped bass and Winter flounder are found in abundance here. While in summer, Black drum, weakfish, Flounder and Striped bass are the prized catches at Delaware Bay. Other than this, Sea bass, bluefish, Tautog, Tilefish, Tuna, and Croakers have good populations at this destination.

Island Beach State Park

New Jersey anglers won’t argue that Island Beach State Park possesses some of  the finest beaches and beach fishing in the state. It is also claimed to be the finest spot on the Atlantic when it comes to beach fishing. Anglers have caught monster trophies from this spot. Striped bass, Bluefish, and Fluke are the most common species as they pass through with the tide. Its saltwater fishing is mostly famous for Tautog, Summer flounder, and weakfish.

Island Beach State Park is located just south of Seaside Park, on the Barnegat Peninsula, in Berkeley Township, Ocean County.

Belmar

A proliferation of walkable jetties, which are mostly friendly to the shore-bound angler, makes  this one of the most attractive destinations in the state. Most visitors arrive on party boats with families to fish by the shore.

In March-April, Blackfish, Ling, and Cod can be caught with ease, while in April-May, Winter flounder is a prized catch. Fluke, Bluefish, Striped bass and Weakfish are mostly found from June-September

Brigantine

The Rod and Reel Tavern is a popular watering hole in Brigantine, and a replica of a 78-pound world-record striped bass from 1982 hangs there,  which is a replica of the one caught by New Jersey-native Al McReynolds. It’s one of the best Saltwater fishing destinations in the southern half of the state. This island city boasts a long, partly fishable jetty on the south end at Absecon Inlet, some four-wheel-drive beach access on its north end near Brigantine inlet, and a whole lot of fish-heavy water in between. Its fluke, kingfish, and Bluefish are definitely the ones you are looking for when on a fishing trip. This destination has quickly risen to be one of the top surf fishing destinations on the East Coast. The Striper and Drum Black migrations come through Brigantine twice a year, and they usually hang around here for 3 months at a time at least. Throughout the summer,  Flounder, bluefish, Kingfish, Weakfish and spot are in abundance, along with many other species.

The only road to and from Brigantine is New Jersey Route 87, locally known as Brigantine Boulevard. The Justice Vincent S. Haneman Memorial Bridge is the only way on and off the island.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a historic location when it comes to fishing. With eight miles of beaches and bay area, the spot is ideal for family fishing and recreation. Pollock and Sea Bass are found  in winter, while Bluefish and Striper are commonly caught in spring. In summer though, Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo and Mahi Mahi are commonly caught.

Ocean City is situated on a barrier island bordered by the Strathmore section of Upper Township to the south, the Marmora section of Upper Township to the west, and Somers Point and Egg Harbor Township, across the Great Egg Harbor Bay, to the north. The eastern side of Ocean City borders the Atlantic Ocean

Cape May

Cape May is an island uniquely situated where the Delaware Bay shakes hands with the Atlantic Ocean. Striped bass, Tog, Weakfish, and Winter flounder are some of the prized catches here. Common catches found here are mostly Sailfish, Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin tuna, Roosterfish, Dorado, Tarpon, and Giant Trevally.

Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County. It has been recognized as one of America's top 10 beaches by the Travel Channel. 

Point Pleasant

Point Pleasant Beach offers some of the most diverse fishing all year around. Due to the meeting of the Hudson River Flow and the Delaware River Flow, the area can produce a variety of species due to its richness in resources. Many tropical species can be found here. Shore fishing opportunities are in abundance here, so anglers find it easy to come for fishing all year long. Anglers come here for Bluefish, Striped bass, Fluke, Weakfish and a variety of other species.

The borough is bounded on the north by the Manasquan River, on the east by Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head, on the south by Beaver Dam Creek and on the west by Brick Township.  The borough also borders Mantoloking in Ocean County and Brielle in Monmouth County.

If you're looking for a wide array of fishing and recreational opportunities in one state, consider New Jersey. With its rivers, lakes, shorelines and tourist attractions, no other state has quite so much.