UTERBlue marlin fishing in New Jersey saltwater fishing
In New Jersey saltwater fishing, blue marlin peak August and are around July–September, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: An occasional blue in the southern Jersey canyons.
Not in New Jersey saltwater fishing this month.
Blue marlin in New Jersey saltwater fishing, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyAround
- AugustPeakAn occasional blue in the southern Jersey canyons.
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish blue marlin near Cape May, Atlantic City, Barnegat Light
A 130-mile barrier-island coast of surf beaches and rock jetties, cut by inlets (Cape May, Townsends, Absecon, Barnegat, Manasquan, Shark River) into shallow back bays — Barnegat Bay, Great Bay, the Cape May wetlands — with Raritan Bay at the north end; offshore, a field of artificial reefs, ridges and wrecks out to the Hudson, Toms, Wilmington and Spencer canyons.
Fish Scouter charts 148 ledge / hard bottom spots in the The Jersey Shore map area — the kinds blue marlin hold on.
What to use for blue marlin
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Opelu (mackerel scad)Bridled live and slow-trolled or drifted down for ahi, ono and marlin; cut for bottom fishing.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 74–88°F water, best at 78–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blue marlin in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Peak season is August. Blue marlin are in New Jersey saltwater fishing July–September. August: An occasional blue in the southern Jersey canyons.
Where do blue marlin hold in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Cape May, Atlantic City, Barnegat Light, Point Pleasant, Belmar, Sandy Hook.
What is the best bait for blue marlin in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), goggle-eyes, opelu (mackerel scad). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for blue marlin in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJ Fish and Wildlife) and change — read the current rule at https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/licenses-and-permits/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores blue marlin for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about blue marlin · The Jersey Shore, the whole year