New Jersey · Jersey Shore
BLUEFISH FISHING
IN LONG BEACH ISLAND
Long Beach Island is an excellent destination for bluefish fishing, with peak season in June, July and good catches in May, August, September. Book a charter and target bluefish with local experts.
About Bluefish Fishing in Long Beach Island
Bluefish are aggressive, hard-fighting predators found along the entire Atlantic coast. Known for their razor-sharp teeth and voracious feeding frenzies, blues are exciting to catch on both bait and lures and make excellent table fare when bled immediately.
Bluefish are the most aggressive predator fish in the Atlantic — known for their ferocious feeding frenzies ("bluefish blitzes") where schools of hundreds of fish attack baitfish at the surface, chopping through schools like a chainsaw. Their blue-green back, silver sides, and razor-sharp teeth make them unmistakable. Bluefish are hard fighters on light tackle, with powerful runs and head-shaking jumps. They are found from Florida to New England, migrating along the coast in spring and fall. Caution: their teeth can cause serious injury — use a de-hooking tool.
Scientific name: Pomatomus saltatrix
Bluefish Seasonal Calendar — Long Beach Island
Month-by-month availability for bluefish in Long Beach Island, NJ.
How to Catch Bluefish in Long Beach Island
Techniques & Bait
Casting metal spoons (Kastmaster, Hopkins), topwater poppers, and bucktails into surface-feeding blitz is the most exciting technique. Trolling Clark spoons behind inline sinkers and planers covers water during migrations. Cut bait (bunker, mullet) on bottom rigs or fishfinder rigs is effective for larger fish. Live bait (bunker, spot) catches trophy-size blues. For surf fishing, cast metals and bucktails into breaking fish along the beach. Fly fishing with Clouser Minnows during blitzes is spectacular.
Recommended Tackle
Medium spinning rod (7 ft), 4000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon or wire leader (bluefish teeth cut fluorocarbon regularly — 40 lb+ or short wire bite leader recommended).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Long Beach Island
Top spots where local captains target bluefish and other nearshore species.
LBI Surf Beaches
Long Beach Island's 18 miles of Atlantic beach provide outstanding surf-fishing opportunities for striped bass, bluefish, kingfish, and fluke from the troughs and bars along the beachfront. The island's numerous rock jetties and groins create current breaks that concentrate baitfish and attract predators along the entire oceanfront. The fall striped bass run along the LBI surf is one of the premier shore-fishing events on the New Jersey coast.
Little Egg Reef
Little Egg Reef is a permitted artificial reef site located approximately four miles off the southern end of Long Beach Island in 57 feet of water. The reef is built with concrete, steel, and donated vessels that attract black sea bass, tautog, summer flounder, and triggerfish to the deployed structures. Its proximity to Little Egg Inlet makes it one of the quickest nearshore bottom-fishing destinations accessible from LBI.
Holgate Jetty
The Holgate jetty at the southern tip of Long Beach Island guards the north side of Little Egg Inlet, extending into the Atlantic over productive nearshore water. Striped bass, tautog, sheepshead, and bluefish hold along the submerged rocks where tidal currents create feeding opportunities on every tide change. Walk-on access to the jetty makes it one of the most popular shore-fishing structures on the island.
Harvey Cedars Nearshore Wrecks
Several small shipwrecks and debris fields lie in 40 to 60 feet of water within a few miles of the Harvey Cedars section of Long Beach Island. These nearshore wrecks hold black sea bass, tautog, ling, and summer flounder that use the structure for cover in the otherwise sandy bottom. Half-day trips from LBI marinas reach these wrecks quickly, making them ideal for family-friendly bottom-fishing outings.
Other Species in Long Beach Island
More fish you can target while visiting Long Beach Island.
Bluefish Fishing in Long Beach Island — FAQ
The peak months for Bluefish fishing in Long Beach Island are June, July. During these months, Bluefish are most active and abundant in the Long Beach Island area.
Bluefish fishing charters in Long Beach Island are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Casting metal spoons (Kastmaster, Hopkins), topwater poppers, and bucktails into surface-feeding blitz is the most exciting technique. Trolling Clark spoons behind inline sinkers and planers covers water during migrations. Cut bait (bunker, mullet) on bottom rigs or fishfinder rigs is effective for larger fish. Live bait (bunker, spot) catches trophy-size blues. For surf fishing, cast metals and bucktails into breaking fish along the beach. Fly fishing with Clouser Minnows during blitzes is spectacular.
No — when you book a charter in Long Beach Island, your captain provides all required New Jersey fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Bluefish 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 Bluefish in Long Beach Island, you may also catch Striped Bass, Fluke, Black Sea Bass, Tautog, Porgy. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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