New Jersey · Jersey Shore
BLUEFIN TUNA FISHING
IN LONG BEACH ISLAND
Long Beach Island is a solid destination for bluefin tuna fishing. Book a charter and target bluefin tuna with local experts.
About Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Long Beach Island
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 — Long Beach Island
Month-by-month availability for bluefin tuna in Long Beach Island, NJ.
How to Catch Bluefin Tuna in Long Beach Island
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 Long Beach Island
Top spots where local captains target bluefin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Barnegat Ridge
Barnegat Ridge is a natural bottom feature approximately 15 to 25 miles offshore of Long Beach Island where the seafloor rises to create a ridge that concentrates gamefish. Sea bass, ling, cod, and pollock hold on the ridge during cooler months, while mahi-mahi and bonito cruise above during summer warm-water events. The ridge is a key transitional fishing ground between nearshore reef fishing and deep-water canyon trips.
LBI Offshore Wrecks
The waters 20 to 40 miles offshore of Long Beach Island contain numerous shipwrecks in 80 to 150 feet of water that create rich artificial reef ecosystems on the continental shelf. These wrecks hold enormous concentrations of sea bass, tautog, ling, pollock, and cod during their respective seasons. Party boats and charter boats running from LBI ports target these wrecks year-round for reliable bottom-fishing action.
Hudson Canyon (LBI Access)
Hudson Canyon is accessible from Long Beach Island on extended offshore trips of approximately 80 to 100 miles, offering world-class pelagic fishing at the mid-Atlantic's most famous submarine canyon. Yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, blue marlin, and mahi-mahi concentrate along the canyon's walls and temperature breaks during summer and early fall. Overnight canyon trips from LBI are the pinnacle of the region's offshore fishing season.
Tuna Grounds (Offshore Lumps)
The offshore lumps and bottom features along the continental shelf edge 50 to 70 miles from Long Beach Island create natural fish-concentrating structure in open water. Yellowfin tuna, longfin albacore, and mahi-mahi gather over these rises when warm Gulf Stream eddies push onto the shelf during summer months. Charter captains out of LBI use these lumps as waypoints when running to and from the deeper canyon grounds.
Other Species in Long Beach Island
More fish you can target while visiting Long Beach Island.
Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Long Beach Island — FAQ
Bluefin Tuna fishing in Long Beach Island is productive during .
Bluefin Tuna fishing charters in Long Beach Island 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 Long Beach Island, 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 Long Beach Island, you may also catch Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Sea Bass, Tautog. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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