Great Egg Harbor Inlet Fishing Guide
Great Egg Harbor Inlet connects the massive Great Egg Harbor Bay system with the Atlantic Ocean, located between Ocean City and Longport. This inlet offers excellent fishing for striped bass, fluke, a...
Great Egg Harbor Inlet connects the massive Great Egg Harbor Bay system with the Atlantic Ocean, located between Ocean City and Longport. This inlet offers excellent fishing for striped bass, fluke, and bluefish with accessible jetties on both sides and productive back bay waters.
Geography & Water Characteristics
Great Egg Harbor Inlet features rock jetties on both the Ocean City (south) and Longport (north) sides. The inlet is approximately 800 feet wide with depths of 15-25 feet in the main channel. The extensive Great Egg Harbor Bay system behind the inlet provides excellent back bay fishing.
Good water clarity, especially on incoming tides. Moderate tidal currents compared to larger inlets. Water warms earlier in spring due to shallow bay influence.
Key Features
- ✓North jetty (Longport) and South jetty (Ocean City)
- ✓Deep main channel
- ✓Connection to Great Egg Harbor Bay
- ✓Extensive grass flats and channels
- ✓Sandy beaches on both sides
- ✓Protected back bay waters
History & Background
Great Egg Harbor has been an important waterway since colonial times. The bay was named by Dutch explorers for the abundance of bird eggs found in the marshes. The inlet has been stabilized with jetties since the early 1900s and remains a favorite fishing destination.
Species Calendar & Peak Seasons
Striped Bass
Peak: May, October-NovemberMonths: Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov, Dec
Technique: Live bunker, eels, plugs
Good numbers of schoolies with occasional larger fish.
Bluefish
Peak: June, SeptemberMonths: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Technique: Metals, poppers, chunk bait
Consistent bluefish action when bunker are present.
Fluke
Peak: June-JulyMonths: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Technique: Bucktails, Gulp, squid strips
Fish the channel edges and sandy flats.
Weakfish
Peak: May-JuneMonths: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Technique: Soft plastics, live shrimp
Fish the deeper channels at dawn and dusk.
Tautog
Peak: October-NovemberMonths: Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Technique: Green crabs, Asian crabs
Fish tight to jetty rocks.
Winter Flounder
Peak: AprilMonths: Mar, Apr, May
Technique: Bloodworms, sandworms
Fish muddy bottom areas on incoming tide.
Proven Fishing Techniques
Jetty Plugging
Cast swimming plugs and soft plastics from the rocks. Work the rips and current breaks.
Back Bay Drifting
Drift the channels and flats with bucktails or live bait.
Tog Fishing
Fish crabs tight to the jetty rocks for tautog.
Night Eeling
Fish live eels after dark for trophy stripers.
Fish Great Egg Inlet with Local Captains
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Shore Fishing Spots
South Jetty (Ocean City)
The primary fishing jetty accessible from the north end of Ocean City.
Best For: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Tautog
Access: Access from 59th Street in Ocean City.
Parking: Street parking, 59th Street lot
North Jetty (Longport)
Rocky jetty on the Longport side. Often less crowded.
Best For: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke
Access: Access from Atlantic Avenue in Longport.
Parking: Street parking in Longport
Ocean City Bayside
Multiple access points along the bay for back bay fishing.
Best For: Weakfish, Fluke, Bluefish snappers
Access: Various public access points.
Parking: Street parking throughout Ocean City
Tide Strategies for Great Egg Inlet
Outgoing Tide
Fish the rips as bait washes out of the bay.
Best Species: Striped Bass, Bluefish
Incoming Tide
Fish the channel edges as clean water enters.
Best Species: Fluke, Weakfish
Slack Tide
Focus on structure fishing around the jetty rocks.
Best Species: Tautog, Sea Bass
Nearby Offshore Grounds
| Ground | Distance | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Great Egg Reef | 5 miles | Sea Bass, Tautog, Fluke |
| Ocean City Reef | 8 miles | Sea Bass, Tautog, Fluke |
| Deepwater Reef | 12 miles | Sea Bass, Tautog |
Facilities & Services
Parking
- 59th Street lot in Ocean City
- Street parking throughout area
- Longport public lots
Amenities
- Full services in Ocean City
- Restaurants and shops nearby
- Family-friendly beaches
Bait Shops
- Fin-atics (Ocean City)
- Ocean City Fishing Center
- Sterling Harbor Bait & Tackle
Marinas
- Ocean City Fishing Center
- Sterling Harbor Marina
- Various marinas in area
Regulations & Rules
- •NJ saltwater fishing registration required
- •Check current species regulations
- •Beach badge may be required for beach access
Local Tips for Great Egg Inlet
- ✓The back bay holds excellent weakfish and flounder
- ✓Early morning outgoing tide is productive for stripers
- ✓Ocean City's dry town status means bring your own refreshments
- ✓The jetty gets crowded on weekends - arrive early
- ✓Fall bluefish blitzes are spectacular from shore
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Egg Inlet good for beginners?
Yes, the jetties are relatively easy to access and the back bay offers calm water fishing. Ocean City is very family-friendly.
What is the best time to fish Great Egg Inlet?
Spring and fall produce the best striper and bluefish action. Summer is excellent for fluke and kingfish.
Can I launch a boat near the inlet?
Yes, several boat ramps are available in Ocean City including at the Ocean City Fishing Center.
Are there charter boats available?
Yes, numerous charter and party boats operate from Ocean City and Longport marinas.
Related Resources
Explore the Area
Learn more about the town nearest to Great Egg Inlet
Ocean City