Slough off the New Jersey coast
The offshore ground named The Slough, 22.2 nautical miles east-southeast of Manasquan Inlet — not to be confused with its inshore namesake to the northwest. The depression funnels bait through open bottom: fluke and sea bass along the cut, weakfish and bluefish moving through above.
Click a species row to see fishing methods, regulations, and tips.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Weakfish | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Off | 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 AvailabilityInshore tackle for back-bay and jetty
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Recommended tackle for Fluke (Summer Flounder) and Weakfish 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.
Topwater plugs for blitzing stripers at sunrise off the inlet.

JOGFFDE

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

TRUSCEND

Fish On Tackle
3-4 tray bag built to walk jetties without snagging or dumping.

KastKing

Reaction Tackle
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The Slough is known for Fluke (Summer Flounder), Weakfish, Bluefish, Sea Bass.
The Slough is accessible from Manasquan Inlet. Check with local charter captains for precise navigation coordinates.
Sloughs are underwater valleys that channel water and baitfish, attracting predatory species.
Check recent reports to see what's biting at The Slough.
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