New Jersey fishing reports
379 reports for New Jersey — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
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.
Sea Bass Red Hot and Fluke Rebounding as Full-Moon Tides Hit Jersey Shore
Sea bass fishing is on fire along the Jersey Shore, with Blue Chip Sportfishing reporting limits on nearly every trip and shark action running hot alongside. Makos have been caught and released this week. Fluke is back on the upswing after last week's upwelling, per OTW Northern New Jersey's June 25 report; Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands is landing quality keepers up to 5 lb 2 oz, with gulp sand eels and plain bait outperforming jigs. Stripers are still responding to clams in the surf and bluefish are mixed in, per Grumpys Tackle. The big offshore development: Fishermans HQ LBI reports a squid invasion has drawn bluefin tuna within 20 to 30 miles of the coast, making offshore runs shorter than typical. Capt Ron's has logged surface temps between 64 and 66 degrees this week. Tonight's full moon brings the month's strongest tidal surges. Prime time to position on moving water.
Full Moon Fuels Delaware River Catfish; Pine Barrens Bass Retreat to Cover
NJ Fish & Wildlife confirms seasonal closures at five Wildlife Management Areas remain in effect through September 7 — verify access before heading out. No real-time USGS gauge data or water temperatures were available for this report, an honest limitation that constrains how precisely we can characterize current conditions. With that caveat noted, late June on the Delaware River corridor historically signals peak channel catfish action: full moon nights drive the overnight bottom bite into high gear, and tidal reaches of the lower river see baitfish concentrated at current transitions around the tide change. Smallmouth bass on the upper, non-tidal river are in an early-summer rhythm — active on rocky riffles and ledge structure at dawn, retreating to deeper lies as midday heat climbs. In the Pine Barrens, acid-stained waters have warmed through June, pushing largemouth tight to shade and timber while pickerel enter their typical midsummer lull. No freshwater-specific tackle-shop or charter reports from this corridor were available in this cycle.
Fluke Rebounding and Weakfish Showing as Full Moon Arrives in Delaware Bay
Fluke fishing has bounced back across New Jersey coastal waters following last week's upwelling, with OTW Northern New Jersey's June 25 report noting the bite is 'back on the upswing.' Grumpys Tackle backs that with reports of fluke responding to bucktails and flavored soft baits in the bays, while surf stripers have returned to clam rigs after a quiet stretch. Perhaps the most welcome news: a couple of weakfish have surfaced in bay waters, per Grumpys Tackle, a species deeply tied to Delaware Bay fishing heritage. Bluefish are mixed in alongside fluke in bay and inlet areas, per Fishermans HQ LBI. Blue crab hauls off local docks remain solid this week. No NOAA buoy data was available for Delaware Bay water temperatures; Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands logged mid-60s °F in northern NJ as a nearby benchmark. Tonight's full moon will push strong tidal flow through the bay, historically prime timing for weakfish in the cuts.