New Jersey · Jersey Shore
FALSE ALBACORE FISHING
IN CAPE MAY
Cape May is a solid destination for false albacore fishing, with peak season in October and good catches in September, November. Book a charter and target false albacore with local experts.
About False Albacore Fishing in Cape May
False albacore — also called little tunny or fat alberts — are the premier light-tackle gamefish of the fall run from North Carolina to Massachusetts. Their incredible speed, long runs, and surface-feeding blitzes make them a fly fishing and light-tackle favorite.
False Albacore — also called Little Tunny or "Fat Alberts" — are the premier light-tackle gamefish of the fall run from North Carolina to Massachusetts. These small tuna relatives are incredibly fast, making screaming runs that peel hundreds of yards of line in seconds. They feed on the surface in visible "blitzes," crashing through schools of baitfish (bay anchovies, silversides) with explosive surface feeds. While not considered great table fare (dark, bloody flesh), false albacore are prized by fly fishers and light-tackle enthusiasts as one of the most exciting fish to catch on artificial lures.
Scientific name: Euthynnus alletteratus
False Albacore Seasonal Calendar — Cape May
Month-by-month availability for false albacore in Cape May, NJ.
How to Catch False Albacore in Cape May
Techniques & Bait
Casting Deadly Dick metal lures, Hogy epoxy jig sticks, and small Kastmasters into surface-feeding blitzes is the go-to technique. Small soft plastic jigs (white or silver Albie Snax) on 1/4-1/2 oz jig heads retrieved at high speed just below the surface are deadly. Fly fishing with small (size 1-2) Surf Candy, Clouser Minnow, and Albie Whip patterns on intermediate lines is considered the ultimate fall fly fishing experience. The key is matching the small baitfish (2-3 inch bay anchovies) — oversized lures and flies are rejected.
Recommended Tackle
Light to medium spinning rod (7 ft), 3000-4000 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 15-20 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 8-9 weight rod, large arbor reel with 200+ yards of backing, intermediate or clear-tip line. Light tackle maximizes the fight.
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Cape May
Top spots where local captains target false albacore and other nearshore species.
Cape May Reef
Cape May Reef is a permitted artificial reef site located approximately three miles off Cape May in 65 feet of water, deployed with concrete, steel, and donated vessels. Black sea bass, tautog, summer flounder, and triggerfish congregate on the reef structure year-round, with sea bass and tog providing excellent fall and winter fishing. The reef's proximity to Cape May Inlet makes it a quick-access destination for half-day bottom-fishing trips.
Hereford Inlet
Hereford Inlet separates the Wildwoods from Stone Harbor, creating a productive nearshore environment where tidal currents wash baitfish along the beach and into the inlet channel. Striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and weakfish feed in the inlet's rips and along the adjacent surf zone during tidal transitions. The inlet's rock jetties provide shore-based access to species that typically require a boat to reach.
Cape May Rips
The Cape May Rips form where the outgoing Delaware Bay current collides with Atlantic coastal currents off Cape May Point, creating standing waves and turbulent water that concentrates baitfish. Striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, and bonito patrol these rips from spring through fall, feeding aggressively in the confused water. Light-tackle anglers casting into the rips from small boats experience some of the most exciting surface-feeding action on the New Jersey coast.
Wildwood Surf Zone
The surf zone along Wildwood's wide, gently sloping beach provides miles of productive shore-based fishing for striped bass, bluefish, kingfish, and summer flounder. The beach's gradual depth profile creates well-defined troughs and bars that hold bait and attract predators during incoming tides. Fall surf-fishing for migrating striped bass along the Wildwood beaches is among the best on the Jersey Shore.
Other Species in Cape May
More fish you can target while visiting Cape May.
False Albacore Fishing in Cape May — FAQ
The peak months for False Albacore fishing in Cape May are October. During these months, False Albacore are most active and abundant in the Cape May area.
False Albacore fishing charters in Cape May are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Casting Deadly Dick metal lures, Hogy epoxy jig sticks, and small Kastmasters into surface-feeding blitzes is the go-to technique. Small soft plastic jigs (white or silver Albie Snax) on 1/4-1/2 oz jig heads retrieved at high speed just below the surface are deadly. Fly fishing with small (size 1-2) Surf Candy, Clouser Minnow, and Albie Whip patterns on intermediate lines is considered the ultimate fall fly fishing experience. The key is matching the small baitfish (2-3 inch bay anchovies) — oversized lures and flies are rejected.
No — when you book a charter in Cape May, your captain provides all required New Jersey fishing licenses as part of the trip.
False Albacore 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 False Albacore in Cape May, you may also catch Striped Bass, Tautog, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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