UTERShortfin mako fishing in New Jersey saltwater fishing
In New Jersey saltwater fishing, shortfin mako peak June–July and are around May–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: June mako season on the inshore lumps and the mud hole; release them — no keeping Atlantic makos.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Shortfin mako in New Jersey saltwater fishing, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArriving
- JunePeakJune mako season on the inshore lumps and the mud hole; release them — no keeping Atlantic makos.
- JulyPeak
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish shortfin mako 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 shortfin mako hold on.
What to use for shortfin mako
- 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.
- Cut ladyfishA whole ladyfish or a head on a 9/0 circle hook and wire for sharks; chunks on the bottom for redfish and drum. The best shark bait in Florida.
- Bonito (cut)Whole on cable for tiger and bull sharks; fillets and chunks on the bottom for grouper and snapper; strips trolled for wahoo.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 60–78°F water, best at 64–72°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch shortfin mako in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Peak season is June–July. Shortfin mako are in New Jersey saltwater fishing May–October. June: June mako season on the inshore lumps and the mud hole; release them — no keeping Atlantic makos.
Where do shortfin mako 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 shortfin mako in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), goggle-eyes, cut ladyfish, bonito (cut). 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 shortfin mako 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/.
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