Reef off the New Jersey coast
The South East Grounds cover nearly 2,700 acres about 20 nautical miles south-southeast of Cape May Inlet, on the long slope toward the Delaware canyon approaches. Logged as fluke bottom, the broad flat fishes best where subtle depth changes break its evenness — find the edges and the drifts produce.
The surounding area is plenty of lumps from different sizes with bottom characteristics of sandy, pebble and gravel.
Also caught here: Mackerel
Click a species row to see fishing methods, regulations, and tips.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Flounder (Fluke) | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off |
Most charters depart from Barnegat Light - Prime bay fishing access
point-pleasant-beach
Cape May
Atlantic City
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Check AvailabilityOffshore-ready tackle & gear
Trusted by NJ charter captains
Recommended tackle for Fluke (Summer Flounder) fishing.
Heavy-duty rod for tuna, mahi, and billfish. 30-50lb class.

BETTER LEADER

BETTER LEADER
Heavy-duty conventional reel for offshore trolling and jigging.
Essential for battling big fish. Reduces fatigue on long fights.

Pegciuho

Loomcraft
Landing tool for big fish. 3-4 foot handle for boat use.

Dutiplus

SANLIKE
Skirted lures and spreader bars for tuna and mahi.

AGOOL

YOTO
Keep your catch cold on the ride home. Fits in boat storage.
Essential for toothy fish like wahoo and king mackerel.

AMYSPORTS

Scotank
Large, waterproof bag for organizing offshore tackle.

Plano

Reaction Tackle
Classic vertical jig for sea bass, cod, and bottom fish.

VMSIXVM

Dr.Fish
Required for many species. Better hookups, easier release.

Mustad

Mustad
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South East Grounds is known for Fluke (Summer Flounder). Other species include Mackerel.
South East Grounds is located 2.5 nm S from site # 11 Reef. The nearest departure point is Cape May 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 South East Grounds.
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