UTERBluefish fishing in New Jersey saltwater fishing
In New Jersey saltwater fishing, bluefish peak May–June and September–November and are around April–December, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Big blues on the beaches and in the inlets; poppers and metal.
The fall run starts; bluefin push inshore. Stripers on sand eels and peanut bunker along the coast — birds off Sandy Hook and Island Beach; tog season reopens on the jetties; bluefin on topwater within sight of the beach some years.
Bluefish in New Jersey saltwater fishing, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArrivingRaritan Bay choppers arrive with the bunker.
- MayPeakBig blues on the beaches and in the inlets; poppers and metal.
- JunePeakFluke, sea bass and the first tuna and makos. Bucktails on the ocean reefs and ridges for fluke; chunk butterfish for school bluefin on the Mud Hole and the Texas Tower; chum for makos (release) and threshers.
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeakAlbies off the inlets; the fall bite stirs. Epoxy jigs for false albacore off Barnegat and Sandy Hook; last fluke week on the reefs; snapper blues everywhere.
- OctoberPeakThe fall run starts; bluefin push inshore. Stripers on sand eels and peanut bunker along the coast — birds off Sandy Hook and Island Beach; tog season reopens on the jetties; bluefin on topwater within sight of the beach some years.
- NovemberPeakFall blues blitzing sand eels and bunker with the stripers.
- DecemberLeaving
Where to fish bluefish 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.
What to use for bluefish
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- Sand eelsFree-lined or on a light jig head for stripers, fluke and bluefish; strips teased on a fluke rig.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 58–80°F water, best at 62–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch bluefish in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Peak season is May–June and September–November. Bluefish are in New Jersey saltwater fishing April–December. May: Big blues on the beaches and in the inlets; poppers and metal.
Where do bluefish hold in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Look on pass / inlet, beach / surf, fishing pier, channel edge — around Cape May, Atlantic City, Barnegat Light, Point Pleasant, Belmar, Sandy Hook.
What is the best bait for bluefish in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Live bait: finger mullet, pilchards (whitebait), threadfin herring (greenbacks), sand eels. Finger mullet: Lip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for bluefish 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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