Cape May Fishing Charters
Cape May fishing charters give anglers access to everything from Delaware Bay’s drum runs and inshore reef action to deep sea canyon trips chasing tuna, mahi, and swordfish.
Top Rated Charters in Cape May
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Cape May, NJ Fishing Guide
Cape May sits at the southern tip of New Jersey, offering a unique gateway to both Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, which makes it a versatile hub for a wide range of fishing charters. Half-day and full-day inshore trips are common, especially during fluke and sea bass season. Offshore charters often run full-day or extended overnighters to hit the canyon edges for pelagic species during peak months.
Inshore, anglers fish the Cape May Rips, nearby jetties, and reef sites like the Wildwood Reef and Cape May Reef. Flounder (fluke), sea bass, tautog, and bluefish are top targets here, often caught using bucktails, squid strips, or crab-tipped rigs. Delaware Bay offers some of the best spring black drum fishing on the East Coast, especially around the sloughs and flats off the Villas and North Cape May. Weakfish and croaker also show up in the bay when conditions line up.
For those going deep, it’s about a 60- to 80-mile run offshore to reach the canyons—spots like Wilmington and Baltimore Canyon are prime zones for yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and swordfish. Trolling ballyhoo spreads is standard on the troll, while chunking becomes more effective as summer heats up. Night drops for swordfish using rigged squid or live bait have also become more popular.
Launch points include Utsch’s Marina, South Jersey Marina, and Bree-Zee-Lee Yacht Basin. Whether you’re hugging the shoreline or chasing giants offshore, Cape May charters offer a wide spread of options rooted in seasonal shifts and structure-based fishing.
Fishing Seasons in Cape May
Spring
Spring kicks off strong with black drum moving into Delaware Bay in late April and peaking through May. These fish are caught using clam baits on fish-finder rigs, mostly at night or on slack tides. Tautog season also reopens briefly, with jetties and wrecks producing solid action on crab baits. Fluke begin to stir by late spring, especially in back bays and around the channel edges, though keeper ratios can be hit-or-miss early.
Summer
Summer is prime time for Cape May inshore fishing. Fluke take center stage, and the inlets, reef sites, and channel edges are loaded with action. Sea bass are still in play early on, followed by triggerfish and porgies as water warms. Offshore, yellowfin tuna begin showing up in midshore waters and canyons by late June, with mahi riding weedlines and lobster pot buoys. July and August are also peak time for swordfish drops and night chunking trips for tuna.
Fall
Fall brings changing water temps and a mixed bag of opportunities. Fluke start thinning out, but sea bass season reopens and offers excellent bottom fishing. Tautog picks up again nearshore. Striped bass begin their southern migration by late October, with surf, inlet, and nearshore trolling options. Offshore, the tuna bite can stay hot into early November, depending on weather windows and Gulf Stream currents. It’s a transitional but rewarding season.
Winter
Winter fishing in Cape May slows overall, but diehards still find action. Tautog becomes the main target, with jigs or green crab fished deep on wrecks and rock piles. Nearshore trips are shorter but productive if the weather holds. Some years see a late wave of striped bass offshore, though it’s hit or miss. Most offshore charters wrap up for the season, and local captains switch to maintenance or travel south for winter fisheries.
Gamefish in Cape May
- Black Drum – 20–70 lbs Targeted in Delaware Bay during spring using clam baits on fish-finder rigs, usually at night or slack tide on the flats.
- Fluke (Summer Flounder) – 16–26 inches Found in back bays, inlets, and reefs during summer. Jig bucktails tipped with Gulp or strip baits along channel edges and rubble.
- Sea Bass – 12–20 inches Fished on reef sites and wrecks with squid or clams. Peak seasons are late spring and fall reopeners.
- Striped Bass – 20–40 inches Caught during fall migration nearshore and in the surf. Trolled on mojos or umbrella rigs, or cast with plugs and bunker.
- Yellowfin Tuna – 30–100 lbs Canyon trips June–October. Trolled with ballyhoo or spreader bars, or chunked at night using butterfish and sardines.
- Mahi-Mahi – 5–20 lbs Targeted offshore around pots, flotsam, or weedlines. Caught on chunk baits, small jigs, or trolled feathers.
- Swordfish – 50–300+ lbs Caught on overnight trips offshore. Fished deep at night using rigged squid, lights, and breakaway sinkers.
- Tautog – 3–10 lbs Fished in winter and shoulder seasons. Use green crab or white crab near structure on a high-low rig or jig.
- Weakfish – 14–24 inches Caught in Delaware Bay and inlets during spring and early fall. Fished with soft plastics or bloodworms on jigheads.
Cape May Fishing FAQs
What types of fishing charters are available in Cape May?
Cape May offers inshore, nearshore, and deep sea fishing charters. You can book half-day fluke trips, full-day bottom fishing, or offshore tuna and swordfish runs to the canyons.
When is the best time to catch black drum in Cape May?
Black drum fishing in Cape May peaks in May, when large schools move into Delaware Bay. Most trips target them at night using clam baits on the flats near North Cape May.
Do I need a fishing license to go on a charter in Cape May?
No, you’re covered under the captain’s license when fishing aboard a licensed charter boat in Cape May.
Where do most Cape May fishing charters leave from?
Most charters launch from Utsch’s Marina, South Jersey Marina, or Bree-Zee-Lee Yacht Basin. These offer direct access to Delaware Bay and the Atlantic.
How far offshore are the tuna grounds from Cape May?
Tuna trips usually run 60–80 miles offshore to reach the canyons, such as Wilmington, Baltimore, or Spencer Canyon.
What should I bring on a Cape May fishing trip?
Most charters provide tackle and bait. Bring food, drinks, layered clothing, sun protection, and a cooler for your catch if the captain allows filleting.
Is fluke fishing better in the bay or out front?
Both can produce, but many Cape May captains prefer the reef sites and inlets for targeting keeper fluke during summer.
Are there good winter fishing options in Cape May?
Yes, especially for tautog. Many local captains run trips to nearshore wrecks and rock piles when weather permits.
Can kids join Cape May fishing trips?
Absolutely. Many inshore and back bay trips are family-friendly and a great way to introduce kids to fishing.