Reef off the New Jersey coast
Full Access Zone — Axel Carlson South is a NJ DEP-designated accessibility reef site in the Manasquan Inlet offshore area, the southern section of the Axel Carlson reef complex. The Full Access Zone designation reflects the site's suitability for anglers and divers of varying abilities. Sea bass and tautog are the primary targets on the hard-bottom reef material, with bluefish and weakfish active seasonally. Charter boats from Point Pleasant and Manasquan Inlet regularly include this reef on half-day and full-day bottom-fishing trips.
Click a species row to see fishing methods, regulations, and tips.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| 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 |
Most charters depart from point-pleasant-beach - Best striper access
point-pleasant-beach
Cape May
Atlantic City
Compare all striped bass charters and book online
Check AvailabilityInshore tackle for back-bay and jetty
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Recommended tackle for Striped Bass and Bluefish fishing.
Medium-power 7 ft rod + 3000-class reel. Stripers, fluke, and weakies.

PENN

PENN
1/2 to 2 oz bucktails for fluking the channels and bridge pilings.
Topwater plugs for blitzing stripers at sunrise off the inlet.

JOGFFDE

FUSIGO
Paddle-tail and shad-style plastics for snapper blues and fluke.

Vhxmaizxn

TRUSCEND
3-4 tray bag built to walk jetties without snagging or dumping.
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Full Access Zone - Axel Carlson South is known for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke (Summer Flounder), Sea Bass.
Full Access Zone - Axel Carlson South is accessible from Manasquan Inlet. Check with local charter captains for precise navigation coordinates.
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 Full Access Zone - Axel Carlson South.
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