Southern New Jersey Fishing: A Seasoned Angler's Perspective

A Tapestry of Aquatic Habitats

What sets Southern New Jersey apart is its incredible variety of fishing environments. From the calm, brackish waters of the Delaware Bay to the surf-pounded beaches of the Atlantic coast, and the intricate network of back bays and tidal creeks in between, this region is a veritable smorgasbord for fish and anglers alike.

Key habitats include:

• Saltwater bays

• Tidal rivers

• Coastal inlets

• Offshore reefs and wrecks

• Surf-casting beaches

Each of these environments harbors its own unique mix of species, ensuring that every fishing trip is an adventure waiting to unfold.

Prime Fishing Spots in Southern New Jersey

Let's dive into some of the most productive and exciting fishing locations in the region. Remember, part of the joy of fishing is exploring and discovering your own secret spots, but these well-known areas are excellent starting points for your Southern New Jersey fishing journey.

Cape May and Delaware Bay

The southern tip of New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, is a fishing paradise. Cape May's waters are teeming with a variety of species, making it a year-round destination for anglers.

Key spots in this area include:

• Cape May Reef

• Delaware Bay shore

• Higbee Beach

• Cape May Point State Park

In these waters, you can target species like striped bass, weakfish, flounder, and tautog. The area is also known for its excellent drum fishing in the spring, particularly around the Delaware Bay shore.

Atlantic City and Brigantine

Moving up the coast, we come to the bustling waters around Atlantic City and Brigantine. This area offers a mix of back bay fishing, jetty action, and some excellent surf fishing opportunities.

Notable fishing spots include:

• Absecon Inlet

• Atlantic City's T-jetty

• Brigantine North Jetty

• The "Crib" artificial reef

Here, anglers can expect to encounter striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, and fluke. The artificial reefs offshore are prime grounds for sea bass and tautog.

Great Egg Harbor Bay and Ocean City

The Great Egg Harbor Bay area, including Ocean City, offers a perfect blend of back bay and ocean fishing. The intricate system of channels, flats, and sod banks in the bay provides excellent habitat for a variety of species.

Key locations to explore:

• Corson's Inlet

• Great Egg Harbor Inlet

• Ocean City's north end jetties

• The "Fingers" area in the back bay

This area is particularly noted for its fluke (summer flounder) fishing, but also offers great opportunities for striped bass, weakfish, and bluefish.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns in Southern New Jersey

One of the most exciting aspects of fishing in Southern New Jersey is the ever-changing parade of species throughout the year. Understanding these seasonal patterns is key to maximizing your success on the water.

Spring (March - May)

As the waters begin to warm, Southern New Jersey's fishing scene springs to life. This is a time of transition, with both winter holdovers and early spring arrivals creating diverse fishing opportunities.

Key species to target in spring:

• Striped Bass

• Bluefish

• Black Drum

• Tautog

Spring is particularly noted for the epic striped bass run, as these fish move up the coast on their annual migration. The Delaware Bay shore comes alive with the drumfish bite, offering anglers the chance to tangle with these hard-fighting giants.

Summer (June - August)

Summer brings warmer waters and a explosion of fishing activity both inshore and offshore. This is prime time for a variety of species, making it the busiest season for anglers in Southern New Jersey.

Summer fishing highlights:

• Fluke (Summer Flounder)

• Weakfish

• Black Sea Bass

• Bluefish

• Offshore species like Tuna and Mahi-Mahi

The back bays and inlets come alive with fluke fishing, while the reefs and wrecks offshore hold abundant sea bass. For those venturing further out, the canyons offer world-class tuna fishing.

Fall (September - November)

Fall is considered by many to be the best fishing season in Southern New Jersey. As waters begin to cool, many species feed heavily in preparation for winter or migration.

Fall fishing targets:

• Striped Bass (Fall Run)

• Bluefish

• Weakfish

• Tautog

The fall striper run is a highlight of the year, with big bass chasing bait along the beaches and in the inlets. This is also prime time for catching trophy tautog on the inshore reefs and wrecks.

Winter (December - February)

While fishing activity slows down in winter, die-hard anglers can still find action in Southern New Jersey's waters. Some species remain active in the colder months, offering unique fishing opportunities.

Winter fishing options:

• Striped Bass (in rivers and back bays)

• Tautog

• Cod (offshore)

The tidal rivers and back bays can offer excellent winter striper fishing, while the offshore wrecks hold tautog and cod for those willing to brave the cold.

Fishing Techniques and Tips for Southern New Jersey

Success in Southern New Jersey's waters often comes down to employing the right techniques for the species and conditions you're facing. Here are some tried-and-true methods that have served me well over the years.

Surf Fishing

The beaches of Southern New Jersey offer excellent opportunities for surf fishing, particularly for species like striped bass, bluefish, and kingfish.

Key surf fishing tips:

• Use a sand spike to hold your rod

• Cast your bait into the troughs between sandbars

• Pay attention to the tide - incoming tides often produce best

• Try using cut bait or clams for stripers and blues

Remember, reading the beach is crucial. Look for structure like sandbars, cuts, and rip currents where fish are likely to congregate.

Back Bay Fishing

The extensive back bay systems of Southern New Jersey are prime habitat for species like fluke, weakfish, and striped bass.

Effective back bay techniques:

• Drift fishing with bucktails or soft plastics for fluke

• Using live bait (like spot or mullet) for weakfish and stripers

• Targeting structure like sod banks, channel edges, and bridge pilings

A good depth finder can be invaluable in the back bays, helping you locate channels, drop-offs, and other fish-holding structure.

Inshore Reef and Wreck Fishing

The numerous artificial reefs and wrecks off Southern New Jersey's coast hold a variety of species, including sea bass, tautog, and fluke.

Tips for reef and wreck fishing:

• Use a fish finder to locate structure

• Anchor up-current and let your bait drift back to the structure

• For tautog, use green crabs or clams as bait

• Jig with diamond jigs or bucktails for sea bass and fluke

Remember to bring plenty of terminal tackle - you're likely to lose some rigs when fishing heavy structure.

Conservation and Regulations

As passionate anglers, it's our responsibility to ensure the sustainability of Southern New Jersey's fisheries for future generations. Always stay informed about current regulations and practice responsible fishing.

Key conservation practices:

• Adhere to size and bag limits

• Practice catch and release when appropriate

• Use circle hooks when bait fishing to reduce deep-hooking

• Properly dispose of fishing line and other waste

Check the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website for the most up-to-date regulations before your fishing trip.

Conclusion: The Endless Adventure of Southern New Jersey Fishing

From the surf-pounded beaches to the tranquil back bays, from the inshore reefs to the offshore canyons, Southern New Jersey offers a lifetime of fishing adventures. Each trip brings new challenges, new lessons, and new memories. As you explore these waters, remember that the true joy of fishing lies not just in the catch, but in the entire experience - the early mornings, the salt air, the camaraderie with fellow anglers, and the connection with nature. So grab your rod, study the tides, and set out to discover your own favorite spots in this marine wonderland. The waters of Southern New Jersey are calling, and the fish are waiting. Tight lines and good fishing!