New Jersey fishing reports
663 reports for New Jersey — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Fluke Bite Stays Hot at Sandy Hook as Albies Push Onto Bay Reefs
Fluke fishing has been outstanding out of Atlantic Highlands, with Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ reporting "perfect drift all day, beautiful clean water and the fluke were hungry" on a recent trip, with several anglers boating three-keeper limits and pool fish running 3-5 pounds — though tricky current and afternoon southerly winds cut into a few other days out. Sea bass are riding along as a steady mixed-bag partner, with Ol' Salty II (The Fisherman — Northern NJ) reporting one-fish limits of sea bass, ling, and fluke on recent trips. Fall migrants have arrived on the local reefs: Golden Eagle Fishing noted good bluefishing with bonito and Spanish mackerel mixed in between nighttime storms, and OTW Northern New Jersey's September 10 report has albies joining bonito and Spanish mackerel on the reefs while the tuna bite stays spotty. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) is also seeing bonito and albies in the mix. Expect New Moon tides to sharpen the bite this week.
Fluke finish strong as albies and bonito flood Jersey reefs
Fluke are going out on a high note before New Jersey's season closes September 25 — Capt. Ron's Atlantic Highlands called it "exellent fluke fishing" this week, banking a 5-pound-9-ounce pool fish and full limits for several customers despite a couple of current-battered days. On Long Beach Island, Fisherman's HQ LBI reports warm, clean surf water and heavy spearing bait keeping a variety bite going, while the Hi Flier open boat is putting anglers on big bonita, false albacore, and 27-to-30-inch bluefin roughly 30-45 miles out on light spinning gear. Grumpys Tackle and OTW's Northern New Jersey report both note albies have now joined bonito and Spanish mackerel busting bait on the reefs, with fluking still holding steady there too. Black sea bass regs tighten to a 10-fish bag limit on September 23, and NJ Fish & Wildlife is holding hearings this week on a menhaden reduction cap that could ripple into fall bait supply.
Delaware Bay Keeper Flounder Bite Holds Strong Into September
Higbee's Bait and Tackle reports a boat limit of keeper flounder to 22 inches this week on minnows, spearing and squid strips, with croaker, spot, and black drum to 20 pounds mixing in along Delaware Bay, plus more blues and weakfish showing than in recent weeks. Big Dave's Tackle sees the same spread — flounder to 23 inches, weakfish to 19 inches, black drum in the teens on clam baits — while tog and sheepshead work the lighthouses and sea walls on sand fleas and green crabs. Hands Too Bait and Tackle calls the bait supply from the bay down to Cape May "tons and tons," with blues to 6 pounds on hard plastics, weakfish to 4 pounds on soft plastics and bloodworms, and stripers starting to push into the back-bay sod banks. Boulevard Bait & Tackle says the bay flounder bite is still going but keepers take some sorting; better odds are at the reef sites and along the jetty.
Fluke Stay Hot at Sandy Hook as Albies Push Onto NJ Reefs
Fluke fishing has been the headline around Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook, with Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ boat reporting doubles and full three-fish limits on recent drifts, including pool fish in the 5-to-9-ounce range on "perfect drift" days. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) likewise has fluke mixed in with bonito and albies coming through the shop's reports this week. Just up the coast, OTW Northern New Jersey notes albies have joined bonito and Spanish mackerel on the reefs, while the tuna bite offshore stays spotty at best. Sea bass are stacking up as a steady bycatch on fluke drifts per Capt Ron's, and Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) says sea bass charters are filling coolers while shark fishing has "busted wide open" on nearby grounds. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came back for this stretch today, so check current water temp locally. The new moon this week means stronger tidal push — plan drift timing around it.
Coastal bite dominates reports as Delaware River smallmouth season peaks
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came in for the Delaware River or Pine Barrens this cycle, and this week's angler intel skewed almost entirely to the coast — Fishermans HQ LBI is reporting big bonita, albacore and 27-to-30-inch bluefin tuna still running hard off Long Beach Island, while Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands has anglers filling limits on fluke with pool fish pushing 5 pounds. None of that reached us as direct freshwater testimony for this region, so we're leaning on the calendar rather than a specific report. Early-to-mid September on the Delaware River and through the Pine Barrens' cedar-stained water is prime smallmouth and pickerel time, with fish sliding off summer structure as days shorten and nights cool. New moon tonight should sharpen low-light bites at dawn and dusk. Check current state regulations before harvesting anything you plan to keep.
Fluke Stay Hot at the Jersey Shore as Albies Push Into the Surf
Fluke fishing out of Atlantic Highlands has been about as good as it gets this week — anglers aboard Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ boats filled limits on a good drift, with pool fish running 5 to 5.5 pounds despite tricky current. Sea bass are stacked thick enough around the boats that Capt Ron's crew has had to move off them just to keep fluke baits down, and Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) reports sea bass charters filling the box for everyone aboard. Down the coast, Fishermans HQ LBI (NJ) has bonito, albacore, and bluefin tuna in the 27-to-30-inch range hammering light spinning gear, with albies now mixing with bonito and Spanish mackerel on the reefs per OTW Northern New Jersey. Striped bass haven't shown up locally yet, but Coastal Angler Magazine and On The Water both flag the fall migration as building along the coast. Water is still holding onto summer warmth with plenty of bait around.
Early fall transition nears Delaware Bay as NJ shore reports heat up
Direct reports from the Delaware Bay side are thin in this week's intel, but the broader New Jersey coastal scene is buzzing — Grumpys Tackle (NJ) is logging bonito, albies, fluke, and bluefish along the reefs, while Fishermans HQ LBI reports bonita, albacore, and 27-to-30-inch bluefin tuna on light spinning tackle out of Long Beach Island. Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands has had strong fluke drifts recently, with pool fish running 5 pounds-plus. OTW Northern New Jersey confirms albies now mixing with bonito and Spanish mackerel on the reefs as the bluefin bite stays spotty. For Delaware Bay itself, expect the typical early-fall handoff: fluke action beginning to taper, striped bass starting to stage for the fall run, and blue crabbing still worthwhile. Check current NJ Saltwater Fisherman size and possession limits before keeping anything, especially bluefin tuna under the adjusted 2026 retention schedule.
Fluke bite holds strong as albies invade Sandy Hook reefs
A 5-pound-9-ounce fluke topped the pool aboard Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands this week, one of several solid catches in what's been a productive stretch for Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook fluke fishing — even after a stiff south wind and hard current scrambled one recent trip. Sea bass have crowded in thick enough around the boat to actually interrupt fluke drifts, Capt Ron's reports, while Blue Chip Sportfishing says its half- and full-day sea bass trips are filling coolers for the whole boat. Just offshore, OTW Northern New Jersey notes albies have joined bonito and Spanish mackerel working the reefs, with fluking staying consistent and the tuna bite spotty at best. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) is seeing the same mix — bonito, albies, and fluke — crossing the counter this week. Striped bass haven't shown up locally yet; the fall migration push is still building offshore. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for this update, so check the local forecast and tide tables before you launch.
Early fall stirs Delaware River smallmouth, Pine Barrens bass regroup
Fishermans HQ LBI (NJ) reported this week that "the first hints of fall are beginning to show" along the Jersey Shore — cooler mornings, easing humidity, and bait pushing into the shallows. That same statewide seasonal turn is underway inland on the Delaware River and through the Pine Barrens, though no shop, captain, or agency filed a direct freshwater report this cycle. Typical for mid-September, smallmouth bass should be keying on baitfish along current breaks and rock structure as the river starts to cool, while chain pickerel in the tannic Pine Barrens lakes and cedar-water streams tend to stay aggressive well into fall. Largemouth are likely sliding off summer grass edges toward transition cover near deeper water. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for this cycle, so treat water temp and flow as unknowns until you're on the water. NJ Fish & Wildlife News is also collecting angler tally-form data this season to help shape future regulations.
Fluke and Sea Bass Hold Steady as Bonito and Albies Push South
Fluke remains the steady producer along the Jersey Shore this week. Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands has put customers on solid catches through tricky current, including multiple pool fish in the 5-lb range, while Fisherman's HQ LBI reports fluke still in the mix along with kingfish, weakfish, and snapper blues in warm, clear back-bay water. Sea bass are cooperating well on Blue Chip Sportfishing's half- and full-day trips, with boats limiting out. Bonito, albies, and Spanish mackerel have shown up on the reefs per OTW Northern New Jersey's September 10 report, with the tuna bite described as spotty. Fishermen's HQ LBI is also connecting with bonita, albacore, and bluefin in the 27-30 inch class on offshore runs. Shark fishing has been productive too, with Blue Chip landing multiple mako sharks this week. Bait is plentiful inshore, with spearing and peanut bunker loading the surf and back bays.
Fall striper push nears Delaware Bay as fluke hold on
Fluke remain the most consistent bite along the Jersey Shore heading into mid-September, with Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands reporting steady keeper catches despite tricky current on recent trips, including a run of pool fish in the 5-to-5.5-pound range. Fishermans HQ LBI notes warm, bait-rich water still holding a summer mix of fluke, kingfish, and blowfish in the back bay and surf. No live buoy or gauge readings came back for Delaware Bay itself this cycle, so treat water temp and current strength as unconfirmed until you check on-site. Statewide, NJ Fish & Wildlife News flags bluefish showing at back-bay access points like Shark River, and Coastal Angler Magazine reports the fall striped bass migration is on its way down the coast. Expect the bay's striper and weakfish bite to firm up as that push arrives; for now, work fluke drifts and cut bait for bluefish while the transition plays out.
Fluke pool fish keep rolling at Atlantic Highlands despite tough current
Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands has strung together five straight fluke reports this week, with pool-fish honors running north of 5 pounds nearly every trip — Eric's 5lb 9oz on Wednesday, a 5lb 6oz Tuesday, and a 5lb 3oz Monday — though strong current has forced boats to load up on lead to hold bottom. Black sea bass are thick around the boat but mostly going back over the rail under current-season limits. Just up the coast, Grumpys Tackle and OTW Northern New Jersey report bonito, false albacore, and Spanish mackerel stacking on the local reefs alongside a steady fluke bite, while the offshore tuna bite is described as spotty. Blue Chip Sportfishing is finding sea bass, mahi, and shark action productive on mid-shore and offshore runs. With a new moon driving tide swings, expect current to stay the dominant variable for Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook boats through the week.