New Jersey · Jersey Shore
WHITE MARLIN FISHING
IN POINT PLEASANT BEACH
Point Pleasant Beach is a solid destination for white marlin fishing. Book a charter and target white marlin with local experts.
About White Marlin Fishing in Point Pleasant Beach
The white marlin is the signature offshore billfish of the mid-Atlantic, with Ocean City, Maryland holding the title of White Marlin Capital of the World. Smaller than blue marlin but acrobatic and challenging on light tackle.
White Marlin are the signature billfish of the mid-Atlantic, with Ocean City, Maryland proudly holding the title of "White Marlin Capital of the World." Smaller and more acrobatic than blue marlin, white marlin are brilliant fighters that spend much of the fight in the air with spectacular jumps and tailwalks. Their body is dark blue-green on top with silver-white sides and a lighter belly, with rounded tips on the pectoral and dorsal fins (blue marlin have pointed tips). The famous "White Marlin Open" in Ocean City is the world's largest billfish tournament with millions in prize money.
Scientific name: Kajikia albida
White Marlin Seasonal Calendar — Point Pleasant Beach
Month-by-month availability for white marlin in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.
How to Catch White Marlin in Point Pleasant Beach
Techniques & Bait
Trolling skirted ballyhoo (rigged natural bait under colorful lure heads) at 7-9 knots over canyon edges and temperature breaks in 50-100 fathoms of water is the standard technique. Dredges (underwater teasers with hookless bait) attract marlin to the spread. Pitch baiting — pulling a teaser close to the boat to draw in a following marlin, then quickly pitching a rigged ballyhoo or live bait — produces more hookups. Live bait trolling with small bonito or false albacore targets the largest fish.
Recommended Tackle
30-50 lb class conventional trolling gear, roller guides, 30-50 lb monofilament or braid, 80-100 lb fluorocarbon leader, 7/0-9/0 circle hooks (required in many tournaments). Light tackle encouraged for the acrobatic fight.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in Point Pleasant Beach
Top spots where local captains target white marlin and other deep sea fishing species.
Mud Hole (Lindenkohl Canyon)
The Mud Hole, also known as the Lindenkohl Canyon area, lies approximately 20 miles offshore of Point Pleasant Beach where the seafloor transitions from sandy shelf to soft muddy bottom in 200 to 600 feet of water. Ling, whiting, cod, and pollock concentrate in this area during cooler months, while the deeper edges hold tilefish and monkfish year-round. The Mud Hole is one of the most historic and productive offshore fishing grounds in the entire New York Bight.
Offshore Wreck Field (Glory Hole)
The offshore wreck field 15 to 30 miles southeast of Point Pleasant Beach includes dozens of shipwrecks in 80 to 130 feet of water, many dating to World War II. These wrecks hold tremendous concentrations of sea bass, tautog, ling, cod, and pollock that use the structure for habitat and feeding. Point Pleasant's massive party boat and charter fleet runs daily wreck-fishing trips to this area throughout the year.
Hudson Canyon
Hudson Canyon lies approximately 80 to 100 miles southeast of Point Pleasant Beach, the largest submarine canyon on the East Coast and a world-class destination for pelagic fishing. Yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, blue marlin, and longfin albacore concentrate along the canyon's walls and temperature breaks during summer and early fall. Overnight canyon trips from Point Pleasant are the signature offshore experience for serious mid-Atlantic anglers.
Toms Canyon
Toms Canyon is a smaller submarine canyon along the continental shelf edge approximately 70 miles from Point Pleasant Beach, offering concentrated pelagic fishing at a somewhat shorter range than Hudson Canyon. Yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and white marlin patrol the canyon's edges where warm Gulf Stream water intrudes onto the shelf. Charter boats from Point Pleasant target Toms Canyon as a productive alternative when conditions favor the southern canyons.
Other Species in Point Pleasant Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Point Pleasant Beach.
White Marlin Fishing in Point Pleasant Beach — FAQ
White Marlin fishing in Point Pleasant Beach is productive during .
White Marlin fishing charters in Point Pleasant Beach are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Trolling skirted ballyhoo (rigged natural bait under colorful lure heads) at 7-9 knots over canyon edges and temperature breaks in 50-100 fathoms of water is the standard technique. Dredges (underwater teasers with hookless bait) attract marlin to the spread. Pitch baiting — pulling a teaser close to the boat to draw in a following marlin, then quickly pitching a rigged ballyhoo or live bait — produces more hookups. Live bait trolling with small bonito or false albacore targets the largest fish.
No — when you book a charter in Point Pleasant Beach, your captain provides all required New Jersey fishing licenses as part of the trip.
White Marlin 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 White Marlin in Point Pleasant Beach, you may also catch Striped Bass, Fluke, Tautog, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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