Reef off the New Jersey coast
The main body of Five Fathom Bank, 963 acres about 7.5 nautical miles east-southeast of Hereford Inlet, named for the five-fathom (30-foot) water over its crown. The shoal's species log is the region's longest — fluke and sea bass on the slopes, tautog on hard patches, and bluefish, bonito, albies, sharks, even tuna over the top. Four more parcels run south from here.
The bottom characteristics are sandy material.
Click a species row to see fishing methods, regulations, and tips.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowfin & Bluefin Tuna | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off |
| Bluefish | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off |
| Summer Flounder (Fluke) | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off |
| Black Sea Bass | Off | Off | Off | Off | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off |
| Tautog (Blackfish) | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Off | Off | Off | Off | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Sharks | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off |
| Bonito & False Albacore | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off |
Most charters depart from Barnegat Light - Prime bay fishing access
point-pleasant-beach
Cape May
Atlantic City
Compare all fluke charters and book online
Check AvailabilityFive Fathom Bank is known for Fluke (Summer Flounder), Sea Bass, Tautog, Bluefish, Tuna, Sharks, Bonito, False Albacore.
Five Fathom Bank is located 7.5 nm SE (110 degrees T) of Hereford Inlet and the Southern point is 12 nm SE (115 degrees T) of Cape May Inlet. The nearest departure point is Hereford Inlet.
Reef structures provide habitat for a variety of species. Artificial reefs are regularly stocked and monitored by NJ Fish & Wildlife.
Check recent reports to see what's biting at Five Fathom Bank.
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