Barnegat Fishing Charters
Barnegat fishing charters work the back bays, inlets, and nearshore waters for striped bass, fluke, weakfish, bluefish, and black sea bass
Top Rated Charters in Barnegat
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Barnegat, NJ Fishing Guide
Barnegat, New Jersey offers year-round opportunities with a fishery built around Barnegat Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway, and quick runs out of Barnegat Inlet to the Atlantic. Most charters here run half-day and full-day trips, with spring and fall striped bass trips being the most popular. Specialty options include summer fluke trips, wreck fishing for black sea bass and tautog, and nearshore trolling for bluefish. In calmer conditions, some captains offer offshore runs to chase tuna and mahi in the canyons, though these are less frequent than in southern ports.
The structure is varied — grass flats and sod banks inside the bay, tidal creeks and channels, the jetties at Barnegat Inlet, and dozens of wrecks and reefs just offshore. The run to productive fishing is short inside the bay — often just minutes from the dock — while wreck trips may run 8–15 miles offshore. Launch points include the Barnegat Municipal Ramp, several private marinas along Route 9, and docks near the inlet.
Seasonal changes drive the bite. Spring sees bass moving into the bay, often feeding on bunker schools, while summer shifts the focus to fluke, bluefish, and weakfish in the backwaters. Fall brings another striper push along the beaches and through the inlet, with surfcasting and trolling both productive. Winter sees fewer trips, but tautog fishing on nearshore wrecks remains steady for those willing to brave the cold.
Techniques vary with the season — live lining bunker for stripers, bucktailing and drifting squid for fluke, jigging metals for blues and weakfish, and bottom fishing with clam or crab for black sea bass and tog. Nearby waters like Manahawkin Bay and the southern reaches of Barnegat Bay give captains plenty of options when wind or tide conditions limit movement. Barnegat’s mix of sheltered inshore waters and quick ocean access means there’s almost always somewhere to fish, regardless of season.
Fishing Seasons in Barnegat
Spring (March–May)
Spring in Barnegat centers on striped bass migration. As water temperatures rise into the 50s, bass push into Barnegat Bay, feeding heavily on bunker schools. Light tackle and trolling are both effective, with bunker spoons and mojo rigs popular for larger fish. Weakfish start to appear in late May, often on soft plastics or pink bucktails in the shallows. Fluke season typically opens late spring, and early action is found in the deeper channels. Charters this time of year often run mixed trips, targeting bass early and shifting to bottom fishing later in the day. Wind direction plays a big role, and incoming tides often produce better clarity and more bites inside the bay.
Summer (June–August)
Summer charters target fluke, bluefish, and weakfish inside the bay and inlet. Fluke are best on drifting squid and spearing rigs over sandy bottoms, with the largest fish holding near deeper channel edges. Blues range from cocktail size to double-digit slammers, often hitting metals and poppers. Weakfish bite best in the early morning on small jigs tipped with gulp or soft plastics. Offshore wreck trips for black sea bass are common, and calm days allow runs to 15–20 miles for mahi and the occasional tuna. The warmer months also see family-friendly short half-day trips staying inside the bay for steady action and calmer seas.
Fall (September–November)
Fall is prime striped bass season in Barnegat, with fish staging along the beaches and blasting through the inlet chasing sand eels, bunker, and mullet. Trolling, casting metal lures, and live baiting are all productive. Bluefish are still around, though less concentrated than in summer. Fluke season often closes in September, shifting focus to sea bass and tautog on wrecks. This is also the time when surf and jetty fishing heats up, and many captains run shorter inlet trips to match the bite windows. Cooler weather means less boat traffic, and fish feed heavily before winter sets in
Winter (December–February)
Winter fishing slows but doesn’t stop. Tautog (blackfish) are the primary target, fished with green crab or white crab on rigs and jigs over wrecks and rocky structure. Sea bass are still caught early in the season before federal closures. Some striped bass linger offshore, but most migrate south by January. Winter trips are almost exclusively bottom fishing on nearshore structure, with runs kept short to minimize exposure to the cold. Fewer charters operate, but dedicated toggers know this is the season for trophy fish, with double-digit pounders possible. Calm, sunny days can offer surprisingly good fishing, but weather windows are tight.
Gamefish in Barnegat
- Striped Bass – 20–40 lbs. Found in Barnegat Bay and along the beaches in spring and fall, taken on live bunker, trolling, and jigs.
- Fluke (Summer Flounder) – 2–8 lbs. Drifting squid or Gulp over channel edges and sandy flats in summer.
- Bluefish – 2–15 lbs. Caught in the bay, inlet, and nearshore on metals, poppers, and trolled spoons.
- Weakfish – 1–6 lbs. Found in back bay channels in spring and summer, hitting soft plastics and bucktails.
- Black Sea Bass – 1–5 lbs. Taken on offshore wrecks with clam or squid, best spring through fall.
- Tautog (Blackfish) – 3–12 lbs. On nearshore wrecks and rocky structure, best in fall and winter on crab baits.
- Mahi Mahi – 5–20 lbs. Occasionally found offshore in summer near pots and weed lines, taken on trolled feathers and jigs.
Barnegat Fishing FAQs
Where do most Barnegat fishing charters depart from?
Most charters leave from marinas along Route 9 or docks near Barnegat Inlet, with quick access to both bay and ocean waters.
How long are typical fishing trips?
Half-day trips (4–5 hours) are common for inshore species like fluke and bluefish. Full-day trips (8 hours) target multiple species or run offshore.
What gear is provided on Barnegat fishing charters?
Captains supply all rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Many also provide ice and fish cleaning at the dock.
Do I need a fishing license in Barnegat?
For saltwater fishing in New Jersey, anglers must register with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program, which is free. Charters help ensure you’re covered
When is the best time to fish Barnegat?
Spring and fall are best for striped bass, while summer offers steady action on fluke, blues, and weakfish. Winter is prime for tautog.
What techniques are most common here?
Live baiting, trolling, jigging, and drifting are all common, with the method changing by target species and season.
What species can I catch in the summer?
Fluke, bluefish, weakfish, sea bass, and occasional offshore mahi are common targets in summer months.
How many people can go on a charter?
Most boats take 4–6 anglers, though larger head boats are available for bigger groups.
Are there specialty trips offered?
Yes — options include wreck fishing, night striped bass trips, and limited offshore runs for tuna and mahi in summer.