UTERLittle tunny fishing in New Jersey saltwater fishing
In New Jersey saltwater fishing, little tunny peak September–October and are around July–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. September: Albies blitz off Barnegat, Sandy Hook and the inlets; epoxy jigs and small 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.
Little tunny in New Jersey saltwater fishing, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyAround
- AugustArriving
- SeptemberPeakAlbies blitz off Barnegat, Sandy Hook and the inlets; epoxy jigs and small metal.
- 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.
- NovemberLeaving
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish little tunny 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 868 artificial reef, 470 wreck spots in the The Jersey Shore map area — the kinds little tunny hold on.
What to use for little tunny
- Glass minnows (bay anchovies)Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook.
- 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.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 66–86°F water, best at 70–82°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch little tunny in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Peak season is September–October. Little tunny are in New Jersey saltwater fishing July–November. September: Albies blitz off Barnegat, Sandy Hook and the inlets; epoxy jigs and small metal.
Where do little tunny hold in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Look on artificial reef, pass / inlet, beach / surf, wreck — around Cape May, Atlantic City, Barnegat Light, Point Pleasant, Belmar, Sandy Hook.
What is the best bait for little tunny in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Live bait: glass minnows (bay anchovies), pilchards (whitebait). Glass minnows (bay anchovies): Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for little tunny 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 little tunny 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 little tunny · The Jersey Shore, the whole year