Plain Area off the New Jersey coast
Humpty Dumpty is a colloquially named wreck or artificial reef in NJ offshore waters off Manasquan Inlet, named by local captains for its distinctive broken-up or "tumbled" profile on the depth finder. The scattered structure creates micro-habitat for sea bass, tautog, and bluefish throughout the season. A recognizable bottom feature among captains working the Manasquan Inlet offshore zone, Humpty Dumpty appears on some charter boat routes for afternoon 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
“The combo NJ surf-fishing beginners actually keep using two seasons later.”— Jersey Shore Guide editors
1/2 to 2 oz bucktails for fluking the channels and bridge pilings.

kmucutie

kmucutie
Topwater plugs for blitzing stripers at sunrise off the inlet.

JOGFFDE

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

Matrix Shad

Vhxmaizxn
3-4 tray bag built to walk jetties without snagging or dumping.

KastKing

KastKing
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Humpty Dumpty is known for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke (Summer Flounder), Sea Bass.
Humpty Dumpty is accessible from Manasquan Inlet. Check with local charter captains for precise navigation coordinates.
Check recent reports to see what's biting at Humpty Dumpty.
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