New Jersey fishing reports
173 reports for New Jersey — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Sea Bass Limits and Surf Stripers Firing at Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook
Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) is reporting sea bass fishing as "red hot," with near-limit catches on nearly every trip out of the Raritan Bay area. The OTW Northern New Jersey June 4 report reinforces that picture: quality sea bass on local reefs, fluke up to 8 pounds in the rivers, and bluefish, black drum, stripers, and fluke all active in the surf. Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands is posting mixed results on the water, including a strong Thursday with 17 sea bass for high hook and tog and keeper fluke in the mix, while bait fishing consistently outperforms jigs across the board. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) notes a larger class of striped bass has arrived in the surf, responding best to clam and bunker chunks. Per On The Water's June 5 striper migration map, fish are beginning to settle into early summer haunts along the Jersey coast, with water temperatures still running slightly below seasonal norms.
Sea Bass Bite Fires, Stripers Extend Their Jersey Shore Run Into June
Sea bass fishing is as hot as it gets right now on the Jersey Shore, with Blue Chip Sportfishing reporting near-daily limits and Northern NJ reef boats (Skylarker, Golden Eagle) echoing strong action, jigs edging out bait on the better days per The Fisherman Northern NJ. Striped bass continue to exceed seasonal expectations in the surf, with The Fisherman NJ/DE Surf reporting fish responding to fresh clams, bunker chunks, and sand fleas; water temps are hovering in the 61-64 degree range, keeping the spring stripers engaged longer than typical. Chopper bluefish in the 2-4 pound class are trickling through inlets and surf pockets, and a notable black drum bite, with boomers reported up and down the coast, peaked around last week's full moon. Fluke action is building in the back bays and surf, with OTW Northern New Jersey reporting fish to 8 pounds in the rivers. Offshore, a massive squid invasion has drawn bluefin tuna within striking distance, 20-30 miles out, per Fishermans HQ LBI.
Black Drum and Post-Spawn Stripers Active as Delaware Bay Enters Early Summer
OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report notes bluefish, black drum, stripers, and fluke all actively feeding in NJ surf and near-shore waters, and the Delaware Bay NJ shoreline is well positioned for a similar multi-species mix right now. Black drum are historically a Delaware Bay signature species through early June, coinciding with the tail end of the horseshoe crab spawn on the bay flats. Striped bass are in transition: On The Water's June 5 migration map shows fish beginning to settle into their summering grounds as water temperatures run a few degrees cooler than normal, a condition that may extend the productive spring window. Per Grumpys Tackle (NJ), a larger class of striped bass has moved into Jersey waters, with clam bait and bunker chunks leading the charge in the surf. No NOAA buoy readings are currently available for the bay, but the seasonal timing places early June among the more productive inshore windows of the year for Delaware Bay anglers.
Delaware flatheads running hot as Pine Barrens flows settle to summer lows
A 36.2-pound flathead catfish landed June 1 near Augustine Beach on the Delaware River points to prime big-cat conditions on the lower river right now, per Wired 2 Fish. That fish fell to cut gizzard shad soaked on bottom in 17-23 feet along a slow-moving river ledge, the same presentation producing consistent action on similar structure this week. Back in the Pines, USGS gauge 01408000 recorded 22.2 cfs this morning, confirming the region has dropped into its summer low-flow pattern. Clear, tea-stained water concentrates chain pickerel, largemouth bass, and yellow perch around deeper holes and woody cover. NJ Fish & Wildlife News notes continued trout stocking at Hamburg Mountain WMA to the north, but warming June water across most of the region is shifting the odds firmly toward warm-water species. Anglers should plan early-morning sessions while temperatures remain manageable.
Sandy Hook Reefs Delivering Sea Bass Limits as Late Stripers Linger
Blue Chip Sportfishing is reporting sea bass trips are 'red hot' with limits on nearly every run right now, and Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands is logging consistent keeper sea bass alongside tog and the occasional fluke on the inshore drops. The striper picture is equally encouraging: per Grumpys Tackle, a larger class of bass has moved into the surf, with clams and bunker chunks both producing. The OTW Northern New Jersey report from June 4 confirms bluefish, black drum, stripers, and fluke all showing along the beaches simultaneously. Offshore, Fishermans HQ LBI notes bluefin tuna have tracked a massive squid invasion to within 20–30 miles of the Jersey coast. With the Last Quarter moon now underway and water temperatures still running a touch below seasonal norms per On The Water's June 5 striper migration map, feeding windows this week will concentrate around moving tides rather than moon-driven peaks.
Jersey Shore Lights Up: Sea Bass Limits, Surf Stripers, and Offshore Bluefin
Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) says sea bass action is "red hot" right now, with the boat limiting out on nearly every trip — that single headline captures the current mood along the Jersey Shore. Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands backs it up with consistent keeper sea bass and ling on reef drops, describing recent conditions as a "perfect 10." The surf striper bite is equally compelling: Fishermans HQ LBI reports the Long Beach Island spring striper run remains strong entering June, flagging the first two weeks of the month as historically productive for quality fish. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) adds that a larger class of striped bass has pushed into the surf, with clams and bunker chunks the dominant baits. Per OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report, fluke to 8 pounds are showing in the rivers, and bluefish, black drum, and stripers are all active in the surf. Offshore, Fishermans HQ LBI is tracking bluefin tuna within 20–30 miles of the coast, riding a massive squid invasion.
Sea Bass Limits and Surf Action Running Hot at Raritan Bay
Capt. Ron out of Atlantic Highlands has been steadily working the bay drops for quality keeper sea bass and ling, with bait fishing producing the most consistent results and a 3-pound sea bass claiming recent pool fish honors. Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on sea bass on nearly every trip right now. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report rounds out the picture: bottom fishing on the reefs is yielding quality sea bass, fluke to 8 pounds are showing in the rivers, and bluefish, black drum, stripers, and fluke are all active in the surf. Grumpys Tackle confirms a larger class of striped bass has moved into the NJ beaches, with clam fishing the top producer in the suds. The June 5 On The Water Striper Migration Map notes fish beginning to settle into summering grounds, with water running a few degrees below normal, keeping inshore structure productive longer than usual.
Black Drum, Stripers, and Fluke Make Delaware Bay Worth the Run
The OTW Northern New Jersey report from June 4 delivers the clearest current read: black drum, bluefish, striped bass, and fluke are all chewing across the surf and river systems, with quality sea bass adding to the action on offshore structure. For Delaware Bay anglers on the NJ side, the black drum callout is particularly relevant — drum are a defining bay species during May and June. Grumpys Tackle confirms surf clamming for stripers has remained productive, with a noticeable push of larger bass arriving in the mix. Fluke have stepped up meaningfully — OTW Northern New Jersey reports fish to 8 pounds in the rivers, with bucktails and Gulp! producing the most consistent results. Blue Chip Sportfishing notes near-limit sea bass catches on most recent trips. On The Water's June 5 striper migration map flags that fish are beginning to settle into summering grounds as water temperatures run a few degrees cooler than seasonal norms, a factor that could extend quality striper fishing in bay structure through the coming week.
Prime catfish bite firing on Delaware River as Pine Barrens flows drop
On June 1, a Pennsylvania angler hauled a 36.2-pound flathead catfish from the Delaware River near Augustine Beach, soaking cut gizzard shad on a slow-moving ledge in 17 to 23 feet at dawn, per Wired 2 Fish. That catch signals the river's catfish bite is firmly on for early June. The USGS gauge (01408000) clocked 23.1 cfs overnight, pointing to low, clear flows in Pine Barrens tributaries that will push bass tight to deeper pools and shaded woody cover. On The Water's June 5 striper migration map notes fish beginning to settle into summer stations, with some still accessible in tidal Delaware reaches. NJ Fish & Wildlife News reports Hamburg Mountain WMA waters, including Silver Lake and Franklin Pond Creek, remain stocked, though warming surface temps are steadily narrowing the productive trout window. The Last Quarter moon through midweek favors calm, measured presentations across the region.
Sea Bass Limits and Late-Spring Stripers Pack the Jersey Shore
Water sitting at 62°F off the Jersey Shore per NOAA buoy 44091, early June has delivered a strong one-two punch for saltwater anglers. Black sea bass are the clear bottom story: Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on knuckleheads on nearly every trip, and The Fisherman's Northern NJ correspondents confirm the Big Mohawk III and Miss Belmar Princess both maxed out on sea bass and ling through the past week, with Ol' Salty II noting the bite improved each successive day. Meanwhile, the spring striper run refuses to quit. Fishermans HQ LBI called the surf-side striper bite alive and strong as of June 1, noting the first two weeks of June historically produce some of the largest fish of the year. The Fisherman's Central NJ desk backs that up — Bobbie's Boats reports very good striped bass throughout the bay and inlet on salted clams and live spot. Bluefish are patrolling beaches sporadically per The Fisherman's surf correspondents, while fluke remain slow as cool nearshore water continues to suppress keeper catches.
Sea Bass Limits Rolling and Stripers at Peak as June Opens at Sandy Hook
Water temperature has ticked up to 59°F per NOAA buoy 44065, and early June conditions around Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook are delivering on multiple fronts. Sea bass are the headline catch: Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands reports consistent limits all week, with 17-inch fish over sand eel teasers and Gulp jigs the hot combination, and one tough Thursday aside, the bite has been building steadily. Blue Chip Sportfishing calls the sea bass bite 'red hot,' reporting limits on nearly every trip. Per The Fisherman — Northern NJ, the Big Mohawk III maxed out on sea bass across all recent trips and Miss Belmar Princess logged solid sea bass and ling counts following last weekend's blow. Striped bass remain strong — Blue Chip describes it as the best striper fishing possible, and the Tackle Box in Hazlet, per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf, reports bass at the Sandy Hook Rip on plugs and bunker chunks. Gator bluefish are pushing inlet areas. Fluke remain slow as water temperatures lag, though bayside Sandy Hook anglers are picking up scattered fish on Gulp jigheads.
Black Drum and Stripers Lead the Charge in Delaware Bay
Water temps at NOAA buoy 44009 hit 60°F on June 2, and Delaware Bay's early-summer fishery is on. Black drum are the headliner on the NJ side, with The Fisherman NJ/DE Surf correspondent Nick Honachefsky reporting drum sucking up clam baits in the surf alongside a handful of sheepshead. Striped bass continue anchoring the action: Blue Chip Sportfishing called it "the best Striper Fishing possible," and The Fisherman NJ/DE Surf confirms bass feeding on bunker chunks, jigs, and clams from inlet structure to the beaches. Gator-class bluefish are pushing into inlet areas as well, per that same column. Fluke remain the weak link. Multiple Southern NJ shops report that cool water is holding the bite to mostly short fish, with keepers turning up only on larger presentations like live minnows and strip baits. The first kingfish, spot, and croaker are beginning to bubble up, signaling the seasonal transition toward summer.