Shore Fishing Spots
No boat? No problem. The Jersey Shore offers exceptional fishing from beaches, piers, and jetties. From the legendary surf at Island Beach State Park to accessible municipal piers, there's a spot for every skill level.
Surf Spots
Piers & Jetties
Free Access
Beginner Friendly
Best for Beginners
Easy access, calmer conditions, and great for families
Sandy Hook
highlands
Part of Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook offers diverse surf fishing opportunities from the bay side to the oceanfront. The tip of the hook is legendary for spring striped bass.
Target Species
Best Seasons
🅿️ Parking: Free parking in winter; summer parking fees apply. Multiple lots throughout the park.
ℹ️ Access: National park - no state fishing license required (federal waters)
Tips
- •The tip of the hook is best for spring stripers
- •Bay side is calmer and good for beginners
- •North Beach produces consistent bluefish
- •Early morning and evening produce best results
Poverty Beach
cape may
Cape May's quieter beach at the east end of town near the inlet. Best for croaker, kingfish, and flounder. Note: Fishing must end by 10 AM during beach season.
Target Species
Best Seasons
🅿️ Parking: Limited parking nearby. Walk-in access.
Tips
- •Must exit by 10 AM during beach season
- •Best for bottom fishing species
- •Use bloodworms for croaker and kingfish
- •Fish the incoming tide for flounder
Long Beach Island Surf Zone
beach haven
Miles of fishable beach along LBI. The beaches near Barnegat Inlet are particularly productive. Beach buggy access available with permit.
Target Species
Best Seasons
🅿️ Parking: Beach buggy permits available. Multiple public beach access points.
📋 Permit: LBI beach buggy permit for vehicle access
Tips
- •Beaches near Barnegat Inlet most productive
- •Follow the birds for bluefish blitzes
- •Fall run produces trophy stripers
- •Dawn and dusk are prime times
Surf Fishing Spots
Beach-based fishing for stripers, blues, and more
What is Surf Fishing?
Surf fishing means casting from the beach into the ocean. No boat required—just a rod, reel, and some patience. NJ surf fishing peaks during the spring and fall "runs" when striped bass migrate along the coast.
Intermediate Spots
Island Beach State Park
seaside park
New Jersey's premier surf fishing destination—a 10-mile undeveloped barrier peninsula offering year-round access. Home to the annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament (first Sunday in October). The legendary fall run draws anglers from across the region.
Target Species
Best Seasons
🅿️ Parking: 4WD beach driving permits available: $75 (3-day) or $195 (annual) for residents; $90/$225 for non-residents. 2025 permits sold via lottery.
📋 Permit: 4WD beach buggy permit required for beach driving access
ℹ️ Access: Park entrance fee: $6-10 per vehicle. Swimming beaches staffed mid-June through Labor Day.
Tips
- •Fresh clams work best in spring
- •Swimming plugs and metals during summer bluefish blitzes
- •Fall run (September-December) is legendary for stripers
- •Follow schools of mullet and bunker for action
- •4WD permit lottery fills quickly - apply early
8th Street Jetty (Townsends Inlet)
sea isle city
Premier southern NJ surf fishing location producing 30-lb stripers in May. The jetty provides excellent structure for holding fish and extending your casting range.
Target Species
Best Seasons
🅿️ Parking: Street parking on 8th Street. Arrive early in season for spots.
Tips
- •30-lb stripers caught in May
- •Tautog around the jetty rocks in fall
- •Use studded boots for algae-covered rocks
- •Be careful of waves washing over the jetty
Corson's Inlet / 59th Street
ocean city
Trophy striper territory from 59th Street to Corson's Inlet State Park. Spring and fall produce the biggest fish. The inlet provides excellent structure and current.
Target Species
Best Seasons
🅿️ Parking: State park parking available at Corson's Inlet. Street parking near 59th Street.
Tips
- •Trophy stripers in spring and fall
- •Fish the outgoing tide at the inlet
- •Early morning produces largest fish
- •Bunker chunks effective for big bass
Wildwood Municipal Beach Jetties
wildwood
Multiple jetties along Wildwood's free beaches offer excellent fishing for tautog and sheepshead. The jetty structure holds fish year-round.
Target Species
Best Seasons
🅿️ Parking: Free street parking away from boardwalk. Paid lots near boardwalk $10-25/day.
Tips
- •Tautog and sheepshead around jetty rocks
- •Green crabs best bait for tautog
- •Bring studded boots for slippery rocks
- •Winter produces quality tautog
Fishing Piers & Jetties
Structure-based fishing for a variety of species
Pier vs. Jetty
Piers extend over the water and offer easy access with amenities. Jetties are rock structures that require careful navigation but often produce bigger fish due to the structure they provide.
Ocean City Fishing Club Pier
ocean city
Extending 635 feet into the Atlantic at 14th Street and Boardwalk, this is the only on-ocean pier in Ocean City and one of the most photographed sites in town. Members-only but day passes occasionally available.
Target Species
Tips
- •Most photographed pier in Ocean City
- •635 feet into the Atlantic
- •Check with club for day pass availability
Belmar Jetty
belmar
The jetty extending from the Shark River inlet produces blackfish (tautog), bluefish, stripers, and occasional bluefin sightings. A local favorite for experienced anglers.
Target Species
Tips
- •Green crabs work best for blackfish
- •Bring studded boots for algae-covered rocks
- •Occasional bluefin sightings
- •Best at dawn and dusk
Atlantic City Inlet Jetty System
atlantic city
Seven fishable jetties extending into 30+ feet of water, with one spot dropping to 60 feet. Monster sheepshead (10+ lbs) in summer, trophy stripers to 25 lbs in November on bunker chunks.
Target Species
Tips
- •Seven fishable jetties
- •Some spots drop to 60 feet
- •Monster sheepshead (10+ lbs) in summer
- •November stripers to 25 lbs on bunker chunks
- •Use caution on rocks
Asbury Park Fishing Pier
asbury park
Historic pier offering accessible fishing near the boardwalk. Good for beginners and families with various species depending on season.
Target Species
Tips
- •Good for beginners
- •Close to boardwalk amenities
- •Spring and fall for stripers
Highlands Municipal Pier
highlands
Public fishing pier in Highlands with views of Sandy Hook Bay. Popular spot for flounder, weakfish, and striped bass in season.
Target Species
Tips
- •Sandy Hook Bay location
- •Good flounder fishing in spring
- •Free parking available
Point Pleasant Inlet Jetty
point pleasant beach
Rocky jetty at the Manasquan Inlet offering excellent fishing for tautog, bluefish, and striped bass. Strong currents make this suitable for experienced anglers.
Target Species
Tips
- •Strong currents - experienced anglers only
- •Excellent tautog fishing
- •Green crabs and clams for bait
- •Non-slip footwear essential
Cape May Inlet Jetty
cape may
Jetty at the Cape May Inlet where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic. Prime spot for striped bass, bluefish, and tautog with strong current producing excellent action.
Target Species
Tips
- •Where Delaware Bay meets Atlantic
- •Strong currents hold fish
- •Spring stripers can be trophy-sized
- •Be careful of waves and slippery rocks
Shore Fishing Essentials
Basic Gear
- • 9-12 ft surf rod (longer for beach casting)
- • Spinning reel (4000-6000 size)
- • 20-30 lb braided line
- • Assorted sinkers (1-4 oz)
- • Circle hooks (various sizes)
- • Fish finder rigs and pyramid sinkers
Best Baits
- Stripers: Bunker, clams, eels
- Blues: Cut bunker, metals
- Fluke: Squid strips, bucktails
- Tautog: Green crabs, Asian crabs
- Kingfish: Bloodworms, squid
Safety Tips
- • Wear studded boots on jetties
- • Never turn your back to the ocean
- • Check tide tables before fishing
- • Bring a headlamp for dawn/dusk
- • Tell someone where you're going
- • Carry a first aid kit
Best Times
- Daily: Dawn and dusk are prime
- Tides: Moving water = feeding fish
- Spring: Stripers arrive April-May
- Summer: Blues, fluke, kingfish
- Fall: Legendary striper run Sept-Dec
- Winter: Tautog around structure
Licenses & Permits
- • NJ Saltwater Registry required (free)
- • Sandy Hook is federal land (no NJ license)
- • Beach buggy permits for 4WD beach access
- • Check species-specific seasons and limits
vs. Charter Boats
Shore fishing is free or low-cost and available anytime. Charters cost $50-100+ per person but provide gear, bait, and expert guidance.
View charter boats →Nearby Bait & Tackle Shops
View all shops →Stop by a local shop for fresh bait and up-to-the-minute fishing intel on what's biting.
Fishermen's Supply Co.
Point Pleasant Beach
Bogan's Kevin Bait & Tackle
Point Pleasant Beach
Jersey Hooker's
Point Pleasant Beach
Plan Your Fishing Trip
Check the seasonal calendar to see what's biting, then find the gear you need at a local bait shop.