GUIDE TO NEW JERSEY’S SALTWATER FISHING
BY
JENNIFER C. DAETSCH
BILL FIGLEY
AND SUE CANALE
DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has compiled this
guide to help saltwater anglers locate places at the
Jersey shore to fish and launch their boats. The facilities
are arranged geographically, from north to south. The
area covered by the guide extends from the Hudson
River to the Salem River on Delaware Bay.
, A Guide to New Jersey’s Seawall ~ A retaining wall designed for
shoreline protection composed of large
Saltwater Fishing rocks.
Some of the terms used in this guide are Bridge ~ Fishing is allowed on many of the
defined as follows: causeway bridges. Make sure the bridge
you are fishing is approved for this activity.
Boat Launch ~ A ramp of concrete, sand,
or clam shell for launching boats into the Wildlife Management Areas ~ A natural
water. Some may require the use of 4X4 tow resource area set up to secure open space
vehicles or are restricted to car-top boats. for wildlife and public use. Tuckahoe, Dennis
Some boat ramps may be difficult to launch Creek, and Mad Horse Creek WMA areas
boats at low tide. Almost all launching require a Boat Ramp Permit or a valid
facilities charge a fee. hunting or fishing license to launch your
boat. Permits must be purchased in
Surf ~ The ocean shoreline. During the advance. For further information call 609-
summer months, fisherman may be required 292-1438. These areas are open 24 hours a
to obtain a beach badge, and surf fishing day for those engaged in fishing or hunting
may only be allowed during non-guarded activities.
hours or in areas outside the bathing area
depending on the town. Some towns rent Boat Rental ~ Rental boats are available
beach wheelchairs for those in need. with or without motors and come in a variety
of lengths and horsepower. Generally, their
Jetty ~ A rock groin that extends from the use is restricted to rivers and bays.
beach out into the ocean at a perpendicular
angle to the shoreline. During summer YR ~ While many facilities close during the
months some towns may require beach winter months, those designated as “YR” are
badges. open year round. All municipal, county, and
state facilities are open year round unless
Beach Buggy ~ Some shore towns allow otherwise noted.
4X4 vehicles on the beach during certain
times of the year. Special permits and
regulations apply; contact the recreation
HOW TO CATCH THEM
department of the town you are interested in
for beach buggy details.
BLACK DRUM
While black drums are most abundant in
Ocean Pier ~ A Pier located in the Atlantic Delaware Bay, a few are caught in other
Ocean. Some ocean piers are privately coastal bays. This large, bottom species is
owned and require a user fee. usually taken with clams for bait in the
vicinity of shellfish beds.
Bay Pier ~ A pier that is located in a bay.
BLACK SEA BASS
Bank ~ An area adjacent to the water, The sea bass is of great importance to the
usually by a road or park, where anglers can party boat fishery. Sea bass are bottom
fish from land. These places may require a feeders taken on clam, squid, and fish strips.
bit of walking. Make sure you do not The best place to catch sea bass is on
accidentally enter “no trespassing” posted ocean wrecks and reef sites.
areas.
BLOWFISH of PUFFER
Bulkhead ~ A retaining wall designed for At one time, the blowfish was considered a
shoreline protection that makes for a nuisance species and thousands were
suitable fishing spot. These areas you can discarded by sport and commercial
usually fish right next to your car. fisherman each year. Today, the blowfish,
alias “sea squab,” demands a good price on
the market. Blowfish are found in the surf
, and coastal bays during spring and early fall. FALSE ALBACORE or TUNNY
They take a variety of baits, such as squid, Fast moving lures will usually entice this
clam, shedder crab and blood worms. Small, species, but they are occasionally taken by
long-shanked hooks are recommended. chumming. They are comparable to school
tuna in general appearance, size and
BLUEFISH fighting ability. The false albacore is not
Adult bluefish can be taken by trolling with usually sought as a food fish because of
various lures, chumming from a boat or surf their strong flavor.
casting with either cut baits or lures. Young
bluefish, known as “snappers,” are usually FLUKE or SUMMER FLOUNDER
caught in the bays with bobbers and small The fluke is probably the most sought after
hooks baited with spearing, although casting fish by New Jersey’s recreational anglers.
small lures, such as bucktails and spoons, Being a voracious species, the fluke prefers
also works well. a moving bait and the most successful
fishermen let their boat drift with the tide and
BLUE CRAB wind, when fishing from the bank, cast up
The blue crab is a tasty crustacean. Crabs and across the current. The object being, for
are abundant all along the Jersey coast, either method, to let the singer drag along
from the Hackensack River to the Delaware the bottom and keep the bait in constant
Bay. The best places to catch crabs are in motion. Killies, spearing, other small bait fish
tidal creeks, rivers and shallow bays. The or squid strips are favorable baits. Some
most common methods include handlines anglers prefer to troll slowly with their baits
and folding traps, baited with chunks of fish. dragging over the bottom.
Another technique, especially effective for
soft or shedder crabs, is to wade the HARD CLAM
shallows with a scoop net. Remember to Hard clams, or quahogs, are found
release all females bearing an egg mass or throughout New Jersey’s coastal bays,
“sponge.” although their abundance varies
considerably with location. They can be
harvested from a boat with tongs or a bull
BONITO
rake, with a scratch rake or by “treading”
Bonito vary in abundance over the years. with your feet. A clamming license, which
They frequent ocean ridges and lumps.
can be obtained at most tackle shops, is
Bonito are caught by chumming or trolling required for residents and non-residents.
feathers and spoons. Clammers should be careful to observe all
regulations and avoid condemned waters.
COD
Cod inhabit deep, offshore wrecks and KINGFISH
reefs, usually during the colder seasons. Bloodworms, squid, shrimp and shedder
Cod are generally taken on bait (clams or crabs are good bait, and should be fished on
cut bait) on or near the bottom, but, at times, the bottom. Kingfish prefer sandy bottoms of
they can be enticed with a jig. the surf and coastal bays.
CROAKER LING or RED HAKE
Croakers are usually abundant in Delaware
Ling are a bottom species, and are usually
Bay and in nearshore ocean waters. caught on clams. They prefer the muddy
Preferred baits are shrimp, shedder crab bottom of deep ocean sloughs and
and squid.
shipwrecks and reefs. Ling have a delicate
white meat that is good to eat.
DOLPHIN or MAHI MAHI
Usually found well offshore, this spectacular MACKEREL
migrant from southern waters is generally Two species are found in New Jersey
take by trolling or casting in the vicinity of waters; the common mackerel, which is the
flotsam. largest, and the small chub mackerel, also
known as “tinker mackerel” or “thimble eye.”
BY
JENNIFER C. DAETSCH
BILL FIGLEY
AND SUE CANALE
DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has compiled this
guide to help saltwater anglers locate places at the
Jersey shore to fish and launch their boats. The facilities
are arranged geographically, from north to south. The
area covered by the guide extends from the Hudson
River to the Salem River on Delaware Bay.
, A Guide to New Jersey’s Seawall ~ A retaining wall designed for
shoreline protection composed of large
Saltwater Fishing rocks.
Some of the terms used in this guide are Bridge ~ Fishing is allowed on many of the
defined as follows: causeway bridges. Make sure the bridge
you are fishing is approved for this activity.
Boat Launch ~ A ramp of concrete, sand,
or clam shell for launching boats into the Wildlife Management Areas ~ A natural
water. Some may require the use of 4X4 tow resource area set up to secure open space
vehicles or are restricted to car-top boats. for wildlife and public use. Tuckahoe, Dennis
Some boat ramps may be difficult to launch Creek, and Mad Horse Creek WMA areas
boats at low tide. Almost all launching require a Boat Ramp Permit or a valid
facilities charge a fee. hunting or fishing license to launch your
boat. Permits must be purchased in
Surf ~ The ocean shoreline. During the advance. For further information call 609-
summer months, fisherman may be required 292-1438. These areas are open 24 hours a
to obtain a beach badge, and surf fishing day for those engaged in fishing or hunting
may only be allowed during non-guarded activities.
hours or in areas outside the bathing area
depending on the town. Some towns rent Boat Rental ~ Rental boats are available
beach wheelchairs for those in need. with or without motors and come in a variety
of lengths and horsepower. Generally, their
Jetty ~ A rock groin that extends from the use is restricted to rivers and bays.
beach out into the ocean at a perpendicular
angle to the shoreline. During summer YR ~ While many facilities close during the
months some towns may require beach winter months, those designated as “YR” are
badges. open year round. All municipal, county, and
state facilities are open year round unless
Beach Buggy ~ Some shore towns allow otherwise noted.
4X4 vehicles on the beach during certain
times of the year. Special permits and
regulations apply; contact the recreation
HOW TO CATCH THEM
department of the town you are interested in
for beach buggy details.
BLACK DRUM
While black drums are most abundant in
Ocean Pier ~ A Pier located in the Atlantic Delaware Bay, a few are caught in other
Ocean. Some ocean piers are privately coastal bays. This large, bottom species is
owned and require a user fee. usually taken with clams for bait in the
vicinity of shellfish beds.
Bay Pier ~ A pier that is located in a bay.
BLACK SEA BASS
Bank ~ An area adjacent to the water, The sea bass is of great importance to the
usually by a road or park, where anglers can party boat fishery. Sea bass are bottom
fish from land. These places may require a feeders taken on clam, squid, and fish strips.
bit of walking. Make sure you do not The best place to catch sea bass is on
accidentally enter “no trespassing” posted ocean wrecks and reef sites.
areas.
BLOWFISH of PUFFER
Bulkhead ~ A retaining wall designed for At one time, the blowfish was considered a
shoreline protection that makes for a nuisance species and thousands were
suitable fishing spot. These areas you can discarded by sport and commercial
usually fish right next to your car. fisherman each year. Today, the blowfish,
alias “sea squab,” demands a good price on
the market. Blowfish are found in the surf
, and coastal bays during spring and early fall. FALSE ALBACORE or TUNNY
They take a variety of baits, such as squid, Fast moving lures will usually entice this
clam, shedder crab and blood worms. Small, species, but they are occasionally taken by
long-shanked hooks are recommended. chumming. They are comparable to school
tuna in general appearance, size and
BLUEFISH fighting ability. The false albacore is not
Adult bluefish can be taken by trolling with usually sought as a food fish because of
various lures, chumming from a boat or surf their strong flavor.
casting with either cut baits or lures. Young
bluefish, known as “snappers,” are usually FLUKE or SUMMER FLOUNDER
caught in the bays with bobbers and small The fluke is probably the most sought after
hooks baited with spearing, although casting fish by New Jersey’s recreational anglers.
small lures, such as bucktails and spoons, Being a voracious species, the fluke prefers
also works well. a moving bait and the most successful
fishermen let their boat drift with the tide and
BLUE CRAB wind, when fishing from the bank, cast up
The blue crab is a tasty crustacean. Crabs and across the current. The object being, for
are abundant all along the Jersey coast, either method, to let the singer drag along
from the Hackensack River to the Delaware the bottom and keep the bait in constant
Bay. The best places to catch crabs are in motion. Killies, spearing, other small bait fish
tidal creeks, rivers and shallow bays. The or squid strips are favorable baits. Some
most common methods include handlines anglers prefer to troll slowly with their baits
and folding traps, baited with chunks of fish. dragging over the bottom.
Another technique, especially effective for
soft or shedder crabs, is to wade the HARD CLAM
shallows with a scoop net. Remember to Hard clams, or quahogs, are found
release all females bearing an egg mass or throughout New Jersey’s coastal bays,
“sponge.” although their abundance varies
considerably with location. They can be
harvested from a boat with tongs or a bull
BONITO
rake, with a scratch rake or by “treading”
Bonito vary in abundance over the years. with your feet. A clamming license, which
They frequent ocean ridges and lumps.
can be obtained at most tackle shops, is
Bonito are caught by chumming or trolling required for residents and non-residents.
feathers and spoons. Clammers should be careful to observe all
regulations and avoid condemned waters.
COD
Cod inhabit deep, offshore wrecks and KINGFISH
reefs, usually during the colder seasons. Bloodworms, squid, shrimp and shedder
Cod are generally taken on bait (clams or crabs are good bait, and should be fished on
cut bait) on or near the bottom, but, at times, the bottom. Kingfish prefer sandy bottoms of
they can be enticed with a jig. the surf and coastal bays.
CROAKER LING or RED HAKE
Croakers are usually abundant in Delaware
Ling are a bottom species, and are usually
Bay and in nearshore ocean waters. caught on clams. They prefer the muddy
Preferred baits are shrimp, shedder crab bottom of deep ocean sloughs and
and squid.
shipwrecks and reefs. Ling have a delicate
white meat that is good to eat.
DOLPHIN or MAHI MAHI
Usually found well offshore, this spectacular MACKEREL
migrant from southern waters is generally Two species are found in New Jersey
take by trolling or casting in the vicinity of waters; the common mackerel, which is the
flotsam. largest, and the small chub mackerel, also
known as “tinker mackerel” or “thimble eye.”
