New Jersey · Jersey Shore
BLUEFIN TUNA FISHING
IN ATLANTIC CITY
Atlantic City is a solid destination for bluefin tuna fishing. Book a charter and target bluefin tuna with local experts.
About Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Atlantic City
The Atlantic bluefin tuna is the ultimate big game fish of the northeast, with giants exceeding 1,000 pounds caught off New England each year. Stellwagen Bank and the canyons off Montauk are legendary grounds for these incredible fighters.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are the largest, most powerful, and most valuable tuna species in the world. These magnificent fish can exceed 1,000 lbs and are the ultimate test of angler and tackle. Their torpedo-shaped body is dark blue-black on top with silver-gray sides and a series of yellow finlets along the tail. Bluefin are warm-blooded — they maintain a body temperature well above the surrounding water, which gives them extraordinary power and stamina. Giant bluefin tuna can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars at fish markets, making them one of the most economically important fish in the ocean.
Scientific name: Thunnus thynnus
Bluefin Tuna Seasonal Calendar — Atlantic City
Month-by-month availability for bluefin tuna in Atlantic City, NJ.
How to Catch Bluefin Tuna in Atlantic City
Techniques & Bait
Chunking (chumming with cut herring, mackerel, or butterfish while drifting) with baited hooks at various depths is the standard technique for school-size bluefin. Live bait fishing with mackerel, herring, or whiting produces trophy-size fish. Trolling with spreader bars, umbrella rigs, and large skirted lures covers water when fish are scattered. "Green stick" fishing (a specialized rig that dangles squid-shaped lures from a tall pole) is popular on the commercial and recreational fleet. Fly fishing for bluefin on 14-16 weight rods is the ultimate challenge.
Recommended Tackle
School bluefin (under 73 inches): medium-heavy spinning or 30-50 lb conventional. Giants (over 73 inches): 80-130 lb stand-up or chair gear, Shimano Tiagra or Penn International reels, 130 lb mono or braid, wind-on leaders to 300+ lb. Fights with giants can last 2-6+ hours.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in Atlantic City
Top spots where local captains target bluefin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Atlantic City Offshore Wrecks
The waters 15 to 30 miles offshore of Atlantic City contain dozens of shipwrecks in 80 to 130 feet of water that hold tremendous concentrations of sea bass, tautog, ling, and pollack. These wrecks include historic vessels from both World Wars and modern vessels sunk as artificial reefs, creating a reef ecosystem in otherwise featureless sand bottom. Wreck-fishing trips out of Atlantic City produce heavy bags of bottom fish from spring through fall.
Mudhole (Hudson Canyon Approach)
The Mudhole is a large area of soft bottom along the continental shelf approximately 20 miles offshore of Atlantic City where ling, whiting, and sea bass concentrate in enormous numbers during winter. The area serves as a staging ground for boats heading farther offshore to the Hudson Canyon and other deep-water destinations. Winter ling and cod fishing at the Mudhole is a tradition for Atlantic City party boats and charter boats.
Wilmington Canyon (AC Access)
Wilmington Canyon is accessible from Atlantic City on extended offshore trips of approximately 80 miles, offering world-class pelagic fishing along the canyon's deep walls and edges. Yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, blue marlin, and mahi-mahi patrol the temperature breaks where warm Gulf Stream eddies meet cooler shelf water. The canyon's productive fishing grounds make the long run worthwhile for serious offshore anglers.
Chicken Canyon
Chicken Canyon lies along the continental shelf edge approximately 60 miles from Atlantic City, a smaller submarine canyon that concentrates yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo along its walls and edges. The canyon earned its name because it is close enough for boats to reach without the commitment of a full overnight trip to the deeper canyons. Warm-water intrusions from the Gulf Stream push pelagic species into the canyon during summer and early fall.
Other Species in Atlantic City
More fish you can target while visiting Atlantic City.
Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Atlantic City — FAQ
Bluefin Tuna fishing in Atlantic City is productive during .
Bluefin Tuna fishing charters in Atlantic City are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Chunking (chumming with cut herring, mackerel, or butterfish while drifting) with baited hooks at various depths is the standard technique for school-size bluefin. Live bait fishing with mackerel, herring, or whiting produces trophy-size fish. Trolling with spreader bars, umbrella rigs, and large skirted lures covers water when fish are scattered. "Green stick" fishing (a specialized rig that dangles squid-shaped lures from a tall pole) is popular on the commercial and recreational fleet. Fly fishing for bluefin on 14-16 weight rods is the ultimate challenge.
No — when you book a charter in Atlantic City, your captain provides all required New Jersey fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Bluefin Tuna regulations in New Jersey include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Bluefin Tuna in Atlantic City, you may also catch Striped Bass, Tautog, Fluke, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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