UTERBigeye tuna fishing in New Jersey saltwater fishing
In New Jersey saltwater fishing, bigeye tuna peak August–September and are around July–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Bigeye in the Hudson and Wilmington canyons — dawn bite on the troll.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Bigeye tuna in New Jersey saltwater fishing, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyArriving
- AugustPeakBigeye in the Hudson and Wilmington canyons — dawn bite on the troll.
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish bigeye tuna 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 bigeye tuna hold on.
What to use for bigeye tuna
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Flying fishRigged whole on a trolling rig for tuna and marlin, or a strip on a skirted lure.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 60–78°F water, best at 64–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch bigeye tuna in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Peak season is August–September. Bigeye tuna are in New Jersey saltwater fishing July–October. August: Bigeye in the Hudson and Wilmington canyons — dawn bite on the troll.
Where do bigeye tuna 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 bigeye tuna in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), flying fish. 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 bigeye tuna 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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