UTERWhiting fishing in New Jersey saltwater fishing
In New Jersey saltwater fishing, whiting peak June–September and are around May–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Northern kingfish in the Jersey surf and along the inlet beaches.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Whiting in New Jersey saltwater fishing, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArriving
- JunePeak
- JulyPeakNorthern kingfish in the Jersey surf and along the inlet beaches.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish whiting 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 whiting
- Sand fleas (mole crabs)On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#4–#1
- Braid10–15 lb
Feeds in 56–82°F water, best at 62–76°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch whiting in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Peak season is June–September. Whiting are in New Jersey saltwater fishing May–October. July: Northern kingfish in the Jersey surf and along the inlet beaches.
Where do whiting hold in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Look on beach / surf, pass / inlet — around Cape May, Atlantic City, Barnegat Light, Point Pleasant, Belmar, Sandy Hook.
What is the best bait for whiting in New Jersey saltwater fishing?
Live bait: sand fleas (mole crabs), live shrimp. Sand fleas (mole crabs): On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #4–#1, braid 10–15 lb.
What are the rules for whiting 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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