❄️ January
Slow inshore. Tog wreck fishing offshore. Cod possible north.
- Best species
- TautogCod
- Where to fish from
- Belmar (tog wrecks) · Cape May (offshore tog)
2026 NJ Fishing Calendar
Month-by-month playbook for the Jersey Shore — what's biting, which port to fish from, when seasons open and close, and which charters specialize.
- Species tracked13
- Peak monthsMay–Nov
- Best monthAugust
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2026 NJ Fishing Calendar
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Month by month
🌊 February
Quiet month. Tog & cod for diehards. Plan ahead, book early.
- Best species
- TautogCod
- Where to fish from
- Belmar · Cape May
🌱 March
Spring whisper begins. Early stripers in the bays. Tog opens.
- Best species
- Striped BassTautog
- Where to fish from
- Raritan Bay (Atlantic Highlands) · Cape May (Delaware Bay)
🐟 April
Spring striper run starts north and moves south. Schoolies first.
- Best species
- Striped Bass
- Where to fish from
- Atlantic Highlands · Belmar · Point Pleasant
🎣 May
PeakStriper run peaks. Bluefish arrive. Fluke season opens May 4.
- Best species
- Striped BassBluefishFlukeSea Bass
- Where to fish from
- Belmar · Point Pleasant · Barnegat Light · Cape May
☀️ June
PeakFluke peaks. Bluefish blitzes start. Sea bass opens. Tuna early.
- Best species
- FlukeBluefishSea BassTuna
- Where to fish from
- Belmar · Point Pleasant · Barnegat Light · Cape May · Atlantic City
🌞 July
PeakPeak summer. Fluke, blues, sea bass on every trip. Tuna & mahi offshore.
- Best species
- FlukeBluefishTunaMahi-MahiSea Bass
- Where to fish from
- All NJ ports peak
🐠 August
PeakHot fishing. Trophy bluefin tuna month. Canyon trips peak.
- Best species
- TunaMahi-MahiFlukeSea Bass
- Where to fish from
- Cape May (canyon) · Belmar (canyon) · Barnegat Light (offshore)
🍂 September
PeakFall transition. Fluke wraps Sept 25. Stripers start staging.
- Best species
- FlukeStriped BassSea BassBluefish
- Where to fish from
- Belmar · Point Pleasant · Cape May · Atlantic City
🎃 October
PeakFall striper run begins. Sea bass excellent. Big blues run shore.
- Best species
- Striped BassSea BassBluefish
- Where to fish from
- Belmar · Point Pleasant · Barnegat Light · Atlantic City · Cape May
🦃 November
PeakTrophy striper month. Bunker schools = legendary blitzes. Tog offshore.
- Best species
- Striped BassTautog
- Where to fish from
- Belmar · Point Pleasant · Cape May (trophy stripers)
🎄 December
Striper run finishes. Late fish are biggest. Tog all winter.
- Best species
- Striped BassTautog
- Where to fish from
- Belmar · Cape May (offshore tog)
2026 regulations cheat sheet
Charter and party boats handle the license — see the saltwater registry guide. Always confirm the latest at NJDEP before your trip; seasons shift year to year.
- Striped Bass: 28–31" slot · 1 fish · circle hooks required with bait · gaffing prohibited
- Fluke: 18" min · 3 fish · season May 4 – Sept 25
- Sea Bass: 13" min · 10 fish · season dates vary by year — check NJDEP before trip
- Tautog: 15" min · 1 fish (Apr–Nov) / 4 fish (Nov–Apr) · check NJDEP for 2026 dates
- Bluefish: No size limit · 3 fish
Spring striper run starting
Early season rates - book your trip now
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