Fishing the Offshore Canyons: Hudson to Wilmington

Hudson Canyon

The world's largest submarine canyon extends from the mouth of the Hudson River to over 300 miles offshore, reaching depths exceeding 10,000 feet. The tip of the canyon lies roughly 70 miles east of Manasquan Inlet—a 5-7 hour run depending on boat speed and conditions.

Key features include The Claw (a productive corner structure), the canyon walls themselves, and the temperature breaks where warm Gulf Stream water meets cooler shelf water. Most boats fish the 50-100 fathom curve where bait concentrates.

Hudson produces all major tuna species plus mahi, sharks, and the occasional billfish. It's particularly known for bigeye tuna, which often hide in deeper, cooler water during the day.

Baltimore Canyon

Located approximately 80 miles from New Jersey inlets, Baltimore Canyon offers excellent fishing with slightly shorter runs for boats departing from southern ports. The canyon's structure creates reliable current edges and temperature breaks.

Baltimore is a consistent producer of yellowfin and bigeye, with good mahi action around floating debris. The canyon sees less pressure than Hudson during peak season, which can mean better fishing on crowded weekends.

Wilmington Canyon

The southernmost canyon regularly fished from New Jersey, Wilmington lies roughly 85-90 miles from Cape May. This canyon has a strong reputation for white marlin—boats targeting billfish often favor Wilmington, particularly in late July and August.

Yellowfin, bigeye, and mahi round out the Wilmington catch. The longer run from northern ports makes it more practical for southern-based boats or extended trips.

Poor Man's Canyon

Situated between Baltimore and Wilmington, Poor Man's offers similar species to its larger neighbors. Despite the name, the fishing can be excellent—it's simply smaller in scale. A practical option when other canyons are crowded or weather limits the run.

Yellowfin Tuna

The bread-and-butter canyon species. Yellowfin arrive in force by June and remain through November, with peak action July through September. Fish typically range from 30-80 pounds, though giants over 100 pounds are caught each season. Chunking, trolling, and casting to breaking fish all produce.

Bigeye Tuna

The enigmatic prize of canyon fishing. Bigeye hide in deeper, cooler water during the day, often suspending over structure at 200-400 feet. Night chunking brings them up, as does deep dropping. Fish commonly range from 100-200+ pounds. Hudson Canyon is particularly known for bigeye.

Bluefin Tuna

The giants return twice yearly—first in early May (often at closer-in spots like Triple Wrecks), then again in November through December. School bluefin (27-47" under recreational regulations) provide action; giants over 73" are catch-and-release only in most seasons.

Longfin Albacore

These smaller tuna show in mid-July, sometimes in huge numbers by September and October. Longfin are excellent eating and provide fast action when located. They often travel in large schools at mid-depth, responding well to trolled lures.

Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin)

Mahi stack under floating debris—weedlines, boards, pallets, fish traps. Canyon trips routinely stop for mahi on the way to and from the tuna grounds. Fish range from "peanuts" to bulls over 40 pounds. Light tackle and fly fishing opportunities abound.

Sharks

Blue sharks are abundant and often caught while chunking for tuna. Mako sharks—the ultimate big game prize—prowl the canyons from June through September. Thresher sharks with their distinctive tails also patrol these waters.

Billfish

White marlin are the primary billfish target, with Wilmington Canyon particularly known for them in late summer. Blue marlin are rare but present. Most billfish are released under current regulations and conservation ethic.

Chunking

The workhorse offshore technique. Anchor or drift on productive structure while cutting fresh butterfish or bunker into chunks, creating a slick that draws tuna. Fish fresh chunks on circle hooks at various depths. Chunking produces yellowfin, bigeye, and bluefin, particularly effective at night for big eyes.

Trolling

Cover water to locate fish before setting up to chunk. Spread of skirted lures, daisy chains, and rigged ballyhoo at various distances behind the boat. When tuna are scattered, trolling finds them. Also effective for mahi and billfish.

Jigging

Vertical jigging with butterfly jigs and knife jigs works exceptionally well when fish are marked on the finder. Drop to the fish and work the jig through the zone. Particularly effective for yellowfin, though bigeye and bluefin also respond.

Live Baiting

Live bait—particularly live mackerel or tinker (small mackerel)—is deadly on big tuna. Keep bait alive in the well, then fish them on flat lines or kite rigs. Time-intensive but produces trophy fish.

Popping and Casting

When tuna push bait to the surface, casting poppers or stick baits creates explosive strikes. Light tackle popping for yellowfin is one of the most exciting techniques in fishing. Requires patience waiting for the right opportunity.

Trip Logistics

Canyon trips are significant undertakings. The 70-100 mile run means 5-7+ hours of running time each way. Most boats depart very early (midnight to 4am) for day trips, or make overnight trips with fishing through the night (particularly effective for bigeye).

Weather is critical—the open ocean can turn dangerous quickly. Experienced captains watch forecasts carefully and will cancel or cut trips short when conditions deteriorate.

What to Expect

Expect long hours, variable fishing, and the potential for extraordinary action. Some trips produce multiple tuna and excellent variety; others are humbling. The ocean doesn't guarantee results, but the possibility of world-class catches keeps anglers coming back.

Charter vs. Private

Canyon-capable sportfishers are expensive to purchase, outfit, and operate. Most anglers access this fishery via charter boat. Split charters allow sharing costs among groups. Full charters provide control over timing and targets.

Permits

Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permits are required for vessels targeting tuna, sharks, and billfish in federal waters. Charter boats carry permits; private boats must obtain their own from NOAA.

Point Pleasant & Belmar

Northern ports with the shortest run to Hudson Canyon. Large fleets with multiple canyon-capable boats. Point Pleasant and Belmar are the primary departure points for Hudson trips.

Barnegat Light

Barnegat Light offers reasonable runs to Hudson and Baltimore Canyons. Viking Village and surrounding marinas house offshore sportfishers.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City provides central access to all canyons. The Senator Frank S. Farley State Marina accommodates offshore boats.

Cape May

Cape May is well-positioned for Baltimore and Wilmington Canyons. The run to Hudson is longer, making southern canyons more practical from this port.