Hempstead Town Reef
Reef off the New Jersey coast
Location
About This Ground
Placed 3.3 nautical miles S of Jones Beach State Park(NY). Size: 744 acres. Material: 11 vessels. Adrydock. Surplus armored vehicles. Concrete rubble. 2 steel barges. Comments: Seven wooden barges placed over 20 years ago have mostly disintegrated Diamond jigs and bucktails work well on the structure.
The surrounding area is make up of sand
Target Species
Best Times to Fish
Click a species row to see fishing methods, regulations, and tips.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Bottom Composition
Charters to Fish Hempstead Town Reef
Most charters depart from point-pleasant-beach - Wreck fishing specialists
The Gambler
point-pleasant-beach
- ✓Family operation since 1949
- ✓Widest party boat in class
Miss Chris Boats
Cape May
- ✓Three daily departure times
- ✓Air-conditioned 80-foot vessel
Starlight Fleet
Wildwood
- ✓85-foot vessel
- ✓Family-friendly atmosphere
Compare all sea bass charters and book online
Check AvailabilityGear for Offshore Fishing
Offshore-ready tackle & gear
Trusted by NJ charter captains
Recommended tackle for Sea Bass and Tautog fishing.
Offshore Trolling Rod
Heavy-duty rod for tuna, mahi, and billfish. 30-50lb class.

TRHUNTER
TRHUNTER Offshore Trolling Rod Saltwater Big Game Boat Fishing Rod Heavy Duty Roller Rod (6' - 80-120lbs - Carbon Butt)

TRHUNTER
TRHUNTER Offshore Trolling Rod Saltwater Big Game Boat Fishing Rod Heavy Duty Roller Rod (6'6'' - 120-200lbs - Bent Butt)
Conventional Reel (30-50 class)
Heavy-duty conventional reel for offshore trolling and jigging.

PENN
Penn Warfare II Level Wind Conventional Fishing Reel, 30, Graphite Body & Sideplates, Brass Main Gear, HT-100 Drag System, Auto-Engaging Gears

PENN
Penn Warfare II Level Wind Conventional Fishing Reel, 30, Graphite Body & Sideplates, Brass Main Gear, HT-100 Drag System, Auto-Engaging Gears
Fighting Belt & Harness
Essential for battling big fish. Reduces fatigue on long fights.

Braid
Braid Products Bluefin Harness (Fits up to 54-Inch)

GAFFER SPORTFISHING
GAFFER SPORTFISHING Adjustable Fishing Belt & Shoulder Harness with Rod Holder, Foam-Padded Fighting Harness, Durable Offshore Saltwater Stand-Up Belt for Big Game Fishing – Blue
Gaff Hook
Landing tool for big fish. 3-4 foot handle for boat use.

Dutiplus
Dutiplus Telescopic Fish Gaff with Stainless Sea Fishing Spear Sharp Hook Tackle, Non-Slip Handle Thickened Aluminium Alloy Pole for Saltwater Offshore Ice Tool

SANLIKE
SANLIKE Telescopic Fish Gaff with Stainless Sea Fishing Spear Hook Tackle, Soft Rubber Handle Aluminium Alloy Pole for Saltwater Offshore Ice Tool
Trolling Lures & Spreader Bars
Skirted lures and spreader bars for tuna and mahi.

Narcissus
Narcissus 6PCS Trolling Lures Kit Saltwater – 6.5inch Offshore Big Game Fishing Lures,Pre-Rigged Lure with Mesh Storage Bag for Tuna, Marlin, Mahi, Wahoo

TROLLING PRO TACKLE
(3 Pack) Tuna Feather Offshore Fishing Lures 6" Long 150lb Leader Dolphin Yellow Fin Tuna Mahi Wahoo Saltwater Trolling Fishing Lures Stainless Hooks. Flash Resin Head for Unmatched Offshore trolling
Insulated Fish Bag
Keep your catch cold on the ride home. Fits in boat storage.

KRAKEN SUPPLY CO
KRAKEN SUPPLY CO 48'' Fish Kill Bag Game Bag Leak Proof Insulated for Offshore Inshore Fishing Designed in USA (48X24)

Buffalo Gear
Buffalo Gear Insulated Fish Cooler Bag 106Qt Fish Kill Bag with YKK Zipper, Flat Bottorm Fishing Bag Keep Your Catch Cool and Fresh All Day
Wire Leaders
Essential for toothy fish like wahoo and king mackerel.

AFW
American Fishing Wire Surflon, Nylon Coated 1x7 Stainless Steel Leader Wire, 210 lb Test, .051" Diameter, Black, 30 ft

AMYSPORTS
AMYSPORTS Freshwater Rigs Fishing Leaders Saltwater Heavy Duty Fishing Leader Stainless Rig Swivels Wire Leader Lure Black Nickel 60pcs
Offshore Tackle Bag
Large, waterproof bag for organizing offshore tackle.

Reaction Tackle
Reaction Tackle Fishing Tackle Bag – Salt Water Resistant Tackle Box Bag, 1000D PVC Waterproof Material, Durable Liner, Removable Dividers, for 3600 or 3700 Trays, XL

Baitium
Baitium Fishing Backpack, Tackle Bag With Rod Holders, 40L Capacity With Cooler, Rain Cover, Insulated Pocket, 4 Tackle Trays Included- (Green)
Diamond Jigs
Classic vertical jig for sea bass, cod, and bottom fish.

VMSIXVM
VMSIXVM Diamond Jigs Saltwater Fishing Lures, 1-16oz Flat Metal Jigging Spoon Baits for Surf Fishing Bottom Bouncing Sinking Casting, Vertical Ocean Lures for Bluefish Striper Tuna Salmon Freshwater

VMSIXVM
VMSIXVM Diamond Jigs Saltwater Fishing Lures, 1-16oz Flat Metal Jigging Spoon Baits for Surf Fishing Bottom Bouncing Sinking Casting, Vertical Ocean Lures for Bluefish Striper Tuna Salmon Freshwater
Circle Hooks (Offshore)
Required for many species. Better hookups, easier release.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can I catch at Hempstead Town Reef?
Hempstead Town Reef is known for Sea Bass, Tautog.
How do I get to Hempstead Town Reef?
Hempstead Town Reef is located 3.3 nm S of Jones Beach State Park(NY). The nearest departure point is Sandy Hook.
What makes Hempstead Town Reef a good fishing spot?
Reef structures provide habitat for a variety of species. Artificial reefs are regularly stocked and monitored by NJ Fish & Wildlife.
Quick Info
- Type
- Reef
- Nearest Inlet
- Sandy Hook
- Location
- 3.3 nm S of Jones Beach State Park(NY)
- Depth
- 300-432 ft
- Size
- 788 acres
Nearby Grounds
Similar Species
Similar Reefs
Fishing Reports
Check recent reports to see what's biting at Hempstead Town Reef.
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