New Jersey fishing reports
250 reports for New Jersey — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Sea Bass Limits and Bluefin Close In for Fourth of July Weekend
Blue Chip Sportfishing is reporting sea bass red hot offshore, with charters limiting out on nearly every trip this week. Mako sharks have also come alive -- Blue Chip notes three makos released on a recent Friday outing. At Atlantic Highlands, Capt Ron's crews have been working fluke grounds with Gulp sand eels proving the top bait, producing a handful of keepers per trip alongside bonus sea bass. Inshore, OTW Northern New Jersey's July 2 report confirms stripers and bluefish are holding in the surf, while fluke are trending upward on the reefs. The big headline offshore: bluefin tuna have pushed inside 15 to 40 miles, riding the tail of a massive squid invasion off the Jersey coast, per both Fishermans HQ LBI and OTW Northern New Jersey. Grumpys Tackle adds that surf bass are back on clams after a weather-related lull, and a couple of weakfish have been spotted -- a welcome surprise at this stage of summer.
Delaware River Smallmouth and Pine Barrens Pickerel Find Their Summer Groove
NJ Fish & Wildlife News confirms seasonal WMA closures across five management areas remain in effect through September 7, 2026 — anglers targeting Pine Barrens interior parcels must verify access before arrival. No USGS gauge or buoy readings were captured this cycle, so water temperatures and flows can only be estimated from seasonal norms. Early July is a reliable pivot point on the Delaware River: smallmouth bass have largely abandoned midday shallow-water feeding and are holding in shaded ledges, undercut banks, and deeper eddies. Dawn and dusk windows on rocky riffles remain the most productive timing. In the tannin-stained Pine Barrens cedar streams, chain pickerel stay active year-round, and the naturally acidic, cooler water provides modest thermal buffering against summer highs. Largemouth bass on Pine Barrens ponds are catchable early morning on topwater before the heat sets in. No charter or shop source filed a Delaware River or Pine Barrens freshwater-specific report this cycle.
Weakfish, Fluke, and Black Drum Active as Delaware Bay Shifts into Summer
Grumpys Tackle (NJ) reports a clear rebound in bay-side fishing, with fluke responding well to bucktails and flavored soft baits and a couple of weakfish — the Delaware Bay's signature summer species — beginning to show in catches. Bay crab hauls have been solid off local docks as well, per Grumpys. OTW Northern New Jersey's July 2 report notes stripers and bluefish providing steady surf action across NJ waters, with fluke fishing trending upward on nearshore reefs. OTW Northern New Jersey also flagged a notable black drum event, with thousands of fish recently filmed swimming off NJ beaches — a species with a strong seasonal presence in Delaware Bay's lower reaches. Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) describes sea bass as "red hot" on offshore runs, with near-limit hauls on nearly every trip. No buoy readings are available this cycle; water temperatures along the Delaware Bay NJ side in early July typically settle into the mid-to-upper 60s°F, conditions that keep weakfish, fluke, and black drum in productive feeding mode.
Sea Bass Limits and Building Fluke Quality as Raritan Bay Hits Summer Stride
Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands reported water temps running near 65–66°F this week out of Raritan Bay, with quality fluke finally showing up after a slow start to the season — a 5-pound 2-ounce doormat claimed the monthly pool aboard one recent trip, and multiple anglers filled out three-fish limits on Monday's tide change using Gulp sand eels (Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ). Offshore, Blue Chip Sportfishing calls sea bass "Red Hot" with limits nearly every trip and mako sharks drawing increasing attention — three were released on a recent Friday run. OTW Northern New Jersey's July 2 report summarizes the inshore picture well: "bluefin are within 15 to 40 miles of shore, fluke fishing trends upward on the reefs, and stripers and bluefish provide steady action in the surf." Grumpys Tackle confirms bass are back on clams in the surf, weakfish have been spotted, and crab hauls in the bay have been good. The waning gibbous moon and the holiday weekend overlap make this a prime window to be on the water.
Jersey Shore Fluke and Bluefin Heat Up for the 4th of July Weekend
Water temps of 72–73°F at NOAA buoys 44065 and 44091 confirm full summer conditions along the Jersey Shore heading into the Fourth of July weekend. OTW Northern New Jersey's July 2 report puts bluefin tuna just 15 to 40 miles from shore, with fluke action trending upward on the reefs and stripers plus bluefish delivering consistent surf action. Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands fleet has been grinding through a tough early season to land improving quality fluke — a pool fish of 5 pounds, 2 ounces recently topped the leaderboard there. Offshore, Blue Chip Sportfishing calls sea bass "Red Hot," noting near-limit catches on most trips, while shark action has "busted wide open" with Mako releases on recent charters. In the surf, Grumpys Tackle (Seaside Park) reports bluefish reliable on morning poppers in the 3 to 5-pound range, and remnants of striped bass and black drum are still taking clam baits along the beach as the spring run winds down.
Delaware River smallmouth building as Dog Days summer pattern arrives
Old School Outdoors in Ewing reports the Delaware River is still running below normal despite late-June rains, but smallmouth bass fishing has been good and is expected to keep improving into July. Catfishing has also produced well along the river corridor. Per The Fisherman's JB Kasper, June threw anglers a tough puzzle -- drought conditions, low water, and below-normal water temps colliding with 90-plus-degree days -- but July typically ushers in the more predictable Dog Days rhythm: topwater action early and late, with structure fishing paying off through midday. Crappie have slowed, a routine midsummer shift. Largemouth in local lakes and ponds have locked into dawn-to-dusk edge patterns near remaining vegetation, per Dow's Boat Rentals. Rain would help across the board -- NJ freshwater sources are unanimous that the watershed is running below normal -- but the Delaware smallmouth bite stands out as the clear bright spot heading into the holiday weekend.
Back-Bay Flounder Surging as Delaware Bay Settles Into Summer
Water at NOAA buoy 44009 checked in at 74°F on July 2 — solidly summer territory — and the Delaware Bay (NJ side) flounder bite has responded in kind. The Fisherman — Southern NJ reports back-bay action this year has been "astonishing," with fish from shorts to 26 inches hitting live minnows and Gulp Baits in as little as 6 feet of water along the ICW behind the Wildwoods; quality keepers are also appearing at offshore reef sites, with an 8-pounder recently weighed in at the Ocean City Reef Site. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) flagged a couple of weakfish in the surf mix alongside solid crab hauls off local docks. Summer species — sheepshead, croaker, and kingfish — are beginning to filter into the South Jersey waterways per The Fisherman — Southern NJ, rounding out a classic summer spread. The Fisherman (Northeast)'s NJ/DE Bay forecast for July 2 also notes red drum jumping off South Jersey heading into the Fourth of July weekend, adding a bonus target to the bay rotation.
July Opens Strong for Fluke and Bluefish Off Sandy Hook
Water temperature at NOAA buoy 44065 has climbed to 72°F, and the fluke bite is finally responding. Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ reports quality fish materializing after weeks of marginal action, with a 5-lb 2-oz pool winner landed recently and keepers coming consistently on Gulp sand eels at tide change. Capt Ron also notes factory bunker boats working inshore with baitfish running small — worth watching for how that affects striper patterns in the weeks ahead. On the beach, OTW Northern New Jersey reports stripers and bluefish providing steady surf action heading into the Fourth of July weekend, while Grumpys Tackle confirms morning bluefish are reliable on topwater poppers in the 3-to-5-pound bracket. Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) reports sea bass as red hot offshore, with near-limits on most trips and mako shark releases in the mix. Bluefin tuna are working 15 to 40 miles offshore per OTW Northern New Jersey — within daytrip range for a prepared boat.
Jersey Shore Summer Opener: Sea Bass Red Hot, Bluefin Within Range
Sea bass fishing at the Jersey Shore is absolutely on fire to kick off July. Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on sea bass on nearly every charter, while shark action has busted wide open with multiple mako sharks caught and released, including three mako sharks on a recent Friday trip. Fluke are bouncing back from last week's upwelling: OTW Northern New Jersey (June 25) notes ocean fluking is on the upswing, with Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands logging water temps around 65-66°F and a 5lb 2oz summer flounder topping the pool. Gulp sand eels have been the top fluke producer. Striped bass are holding in the surf and taking clams per Grumpys Tackle, while Fishermans HQ LBI confirms bluefin tuna have moved within 20-30 miles offshore, riding a massive squid concentration along the coast. With the full moon peaking tonight, expect amplified tidal movement and extended feeding windows across the surf, inlets, and offshore grounds through the holiday weekend.
Full Moon Kicks Off July Bass Season on Delaware and Pine Barrens Waters
USGS gauge 01408000 on the Toms River recorded a flow of 20.5 cfs as of July 1 afternoon, signaling lean, clear conditions across the Pine Barrens drainage heading into the holiday weekend. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge, but early July typically pushes river temperatures well above 70 degrees Fahrenheit in this region, concentrating fish in deeper, shaded pools and undercut banks. NJ Fish & Wildlife News notes that seasonal closures are in effect at five Wildlife Management Areas through September 7, 2026, so anglers should confirm access before heading to a WMA put-in. No direct charter or tackle-shop intel was available this reporting cycle from the Delaware River or Pine Barrens freshwater corridor; bite conditions below draw on established July patterns for this drainage. Largemouth bass and chain pickerel are the signature warm-season targets in the Pinelands, while smallmouth and catfish anchor the Delaware River main stem through the summer.
Weakfish, Fluke, and Bass Converge as Delaware Bay Enters Full-Moon July
Weakfish have started trickling into New Jersey's back bays, with Grumpy's Tackle (NJ) reporting 'a couple of weakfish' caught this period alongside resurgent fluke and bass action. No buoy or gauge data was available for Delaware Bay this cycle, so conditions are drawn from broader NJ saltwater reports. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 25 update put ocean fluking back on the upswing following a cold-water upwelling, with striper fishing described as 'decent on the beaches.' Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) continues to report sea bass red hot on nearly every charter, and striped bass action they describe as 'crushing.' Grumpy's also notes bass taking clams in the surf and fluke responding to bucktails and flavored soft baits, while bay-side crab hauls have been solid off local docks. Today's full moon delivers the month's strongest tidal exchanges — a classic trigger for the Delaware Bay nocturnal weakfish bite as baitfish concentrate along channel edges and back-bay shallows.
Sea bass limits and quality fluke mark the July opener at Sandy Hook
Quality fluke are showing up at Atlantic Highlands, with Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ reporting fish to 5 pounds and multiple keepers per angler, a meaningful uptick after a tough early stretch where shorts dominated. Gulp sand eels have been the standout bait. Sea bass are the hottest ticket: Blue Chip Sportfishing describes the bite as 'red hot,' with near-limit trips on back-to-back charters. Mako sharks have also arrived, with Blue Chip releasing multiple fish including three nice makos in a single Friday outing. In the surf, Grumpy's Tackle reports bass taking clams again after a quiet spell, with a couple of weakfish mixed in as a seasonal bonus worth targeting during full-moon tide swings. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 25 update confirms ocean fluking is back on the upswing following an upwelling event, and striper fishing remains decent along the beaches heading into the July 4th holiday weekend.