Complete Guide to Reef Fishing off New Jersey

Program History

New Jersey's artificial reef program began in 1984 and has grown into one of the most successful reef programs on the East Coast. The state actively manages and expands the reef network, with recent deployments adding significant new structure.

2025 Expansion

The Delaware Bay Reef received 7,000 tons of concrete in early 2025, creating nearly an acre of new habitat. Former concrete pilings have been repurposed into structure that attracts flounder, sea bass, and other species. This kind of ongoing investment keeps the reef program productive.

Types of Structure

The reefs contain remarkable variety:

• Subway cars: Retired NYC subway cars create excellent habitat
• Military vehicles: Tanks and other vehicles provide vertical structure
• Ships and barges: Larger vessels create extensive reef areas
• Concrete rubble: Bridge demolition and construction debris
• Tire units: Bundled tires provide small-scale structure
• Reef balls: Purpose-built concrete domes

Public Access

GPS coordinates for all reef sites are publicly available from the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife. This transparency makes the reefs accessible to everyone, not just those with inside knowledge.

Northern Reefs

Sandy Hook Reef: Close to shore off the tip of Sandy Hook. Easy access from Highlands area. Good sea bass and summer fluke.

Sea Girt Reef: Monmouth County site with consistent sea bass. Short run from Belmar and Manasquan fleets.

Axel Carlson Reef: Within 3 miles of shore. Extensive deployments over years create reliable fishing. Fall stripers stage here before pushing to the beach.

Central Reefs

Garden State North/South: Extensive Ocean County sites with multiple deployment types. Subway cars and other structure hold excellent sea bass populations.

Atlantic City Reef: Central coast structure. Good variety with reasonable access from AC and Ocean City areas.

Southern Reefs

Great Egg Reef: Atlantic County site with good diversity. Sea bass, tog, and fluke all present.

Cape May Reef: Excellent tautog fishing. Recent expansions have improved an already productive site.

Delaware Bay Reef: Bay-side option. 2025 expansion created significant new flounder and sea bass habitat.

Choosing a Site

Site selection depends on target species, departure port, and conditions. Closer reefs are practical in marginal weather. Some sites produce better for specific species. Local knowledge from tackle shops and charter captains helps narrow choices.

Spring (April-June)

Tautog fishing is excellent in April and early May before the closure. Sea bass season typically opens mid-May, with good catches on the reefs from the start. Fluke begin showing as water warms. The spring period offers variety as multiple seasons overlap.

Summer (June-August)

Fluke dominate summer reef fishing. Drift over structure with bucktails and Gulp! for consistent action. Sea bass remain available, though bag limits may be reduced during peak spawning. Early morning drifts beat the afternoon crowds.

Fall (September-December)

Peak reef fishing season. Sea bass bag limits increase, and fish are concentrated on structure. Tautog season reopens with aggressive fall feeding. Striped bass stage on reefs before the fall run pushes them to the beach. The variety is excellent.

Winter (December-March)

Tog fishing continues into early winter on closer reefs. Sea bass remain available offshore. Weather limits access, but determined anglers find action. Some reefs hold fish year-round for those willing to brave conditions.

Drift Fishing

The low-lying structure on many reefs was designed for drift fishing—the most productive approach for fluke. Set up a drift across the reef, keeping your bucktail or rig bouncing bottom. Cover water until you locate fish, then repeat productive drifts.

Bucktails tipped with Gulp! Swimming Mullet or squid strips are the standard fluke setup. White and chartreuse produce consistently. Match jig weight to depth and current—you need bottom contact without constantly hanging up.

Anchor Fishing

For sea bass and tog, anchoring over productive structure works well. Position up-current of a specific piece of structure and fish vertically. This approach allows precise placement over the most productive spots.

Electronics

A quality fish finder helps locate structure and fish. Mark productive spots on GPS for return visits. The reefs contain varied terrain—some areas are more productive than others. Building a mental (and electronic) map improves success over time.

Adapting to Conditions

Wind and current affect presentation. Heavier jigs and sinkers maintain bottom contact in stronger current. Use sea anchors to slow drifts when wind is excessive. Be willing to move if one area isn't producing.

Sea Bass (2025)

• May 17 – June 19: 12.5" minimum, 10 fish bag
• July 1 – August 31: 12.5" minimum, 1 fish bag
• October 1 – October 31: 12.5" minimum, 10 fish bag
• November 1 – December 31: 12.5" minimum, 15 fish bag

Fluke (2025)

• Season: May 4 – September 25
• Minimum size: 18"
• Bag limit: 3 fish
• Note: Delaware Bay and IBSP have different regulations

Tautog

• Seasons vary (typically closed May-July)
• Minimum size: 15"
• Bag limits: 1-5 depending on season

Verify Current Regulations

Regulations change annually. Always verify at nj.gov/dep/fgw before fishing.