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🎣 Top Jersey Shore Fishing Hotspots
- Sandy Hook
- Known as one of the premier striped bass locations.
- Offers surf casting, jetty fishing, and boat access.
- Peak seasons: spring and fall migrations.
- Raritan Bay
- A striped bass powerhouse, with fish often exceeding 40–50 inches.
- Productive with bunker heads, eels, and plugs.
- Early morning and nighttime are prime hours.
- Cape May County Beaches
- Popular for surf fishing, with large stripers reported.
- Also productive for kingfish and bluefish.
- Manasquan Inlet & Point Pleasant Canal
- Excellent for tautog (blackfish) and seasonal striped bass.
- Green crabs and sand fleas are effective baits.
- Long Beach Island (LBI) Offshore Reefs
- Known for black sea bass and triggerfish.
- Drop-and-reel fishing in 50–80 feet of water often yields boat limits.
🐟 Key Species That Make These Spots Popular
- Striped Bass (Rockfish) – The crown jewel of Jersey Shore fishing, with peak runs in spring and fall.
- Tautog (Blackfish) – Found around jetties and inlet rocks, prized for their fight and taste.
- Black Sea Bass – Abundant on offshore wrecks and reefs.
- Bluefish & Kingfish – Common along surf zones, adding variety to catches.
⚠️ Tips & Considerations
- Regulations: Striped bass and other species have strict size and bag limits. Always check NJDEP updates before fishing.
- Timing: Dawn, dusk, and cloudy days often produce the best action.
- Gear: Match lure size to baitfish in the area for higher strike rates.
