NJ Fishing Calendar
Know what's biting and when. The Jersey Shore offers year-round fishing with different species dominating each season.
Fishing in December
🔥 Peak Season
- Striped Bass - The fall run (September-December) is legendary. November-December is peak season for trophy fish. Spring run starts in April.
Also Available
Full Year Calendar
Click on any species to see detailed information including regulations and best methods.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Bluefish | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off |
| Fluke (Summer Flounder) | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off |
| Tuna (Bluefin, Yellowfin) | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off |
| Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin) | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off |
| Sea Bass (Black Sea Bass) | Off | Off | Off | Off | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off |
| Tautog (Blackfish) | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Off | Off | Off | Off | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Weakfish (Sea Trout) | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Off | Off | Off |
| Winter Flounder | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off |
| Shark (Mako, Thresher, Blue) | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off |
| Black Drum | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off |
| Croaker | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off |
| Kingfish (Northern Whiting) | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off |
| False Albacore | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Off |
Seasonal Overview
January - February
Cold water fishing. Tautog and winter flounder for dedicated anglers.
Tautog around wrecks and jetties
March - April
Spring awakening. Winter flounder peak, black drum migration, early stripers.
Black drum in Delaware Bay, first stripers
May - June
Season heats up. Stripers, weakfish, fluke season opens, bluefish arrive.
Prime striped bass, fluke season opener
July - August
Peak summer. Offshore tuna and shark, inshore fluke, bluefish blitzes.
Canyon tuna trips, peak bluefish action
September - October
The legendary fall run begins. Trophy stripers, false albacore, continued tuna.
FALL RUN - Best fishing of the year
November - December
Trophy season. Biggest stripers of the year, tautog, late season blues.
Trophy striped bass, tautog peak
Species Guide
Striped Bass
The fall run (September-December) is legendary. November-December is peak season for trophy fish. Spring run starts in April.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Regulations
Size: 28-31 inch slot
Limit: 1 fish
Circle hooks required with natural bait. Gaffing prohibited.
Bluefish
Summer bluefish blitzes are spectacular. Follow schools of bunker and birds for action. Year-round availability.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Regulations
Limit: 3 fish
No minimum size limit.
Fluke (Summer Flounder)
Peak season is summer months. Barnegat Bay and back bays are productive. Good on party boats.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Regulations
Size: 18 inches
Limit: 3 fish
Season: May 4 - Sept 25
Tuna (Bluefin, Yellowfin)
Canyon trips 60-70 miles offshore. Bluefin up to 550 lbs documented. Peak is August.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Regulations
Federal regulations apply. Check NOAA for current limits.
Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin)
Offshore species found around floating debris and weedlines. Colorful and great eating.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Sea Bass (Black Sea Bass)
Excellent table fare. Found around wrecks and structure. Party boats target consistently.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Regulations
Size: 13 inches
Limit: 10 fish
Season dates vary - check current regulations.
Tautog (Blackfish)
Year-round availability. Green crabs are go-to bait. Jetties and wrecks are prime spots.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Regulations
Size: 15 inches
Limit: Varies by season
Spring and fall seasons with different limits.
Weakfish (Sea Trout)
Delaware Bay and back bays are productive. Population has been recovering. Dawn and dusk are prime.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Regulations
Size: 13 inches
Limit: 1 fish
Winter Flounder
Early spring species. Bay and inlet fishing. Recovering population.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Regulations
Size: 12 inches
Limit: 2 fish
Black Drum
Spring migration in Delaware Bay. Can reach 50+ lbs. Best in southern NJ.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Regulations
Size: 16 inches
Limit: 3 fish
Croaker
Summer species. Good for families. Fun to catch on light tackle.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
Kingfish (Northern Whiting)
Summer surf species. Excellent table fare. Often caught with croaker.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
False Albacore
Fall run species. Fast and acrobatic. Island Beach State Park is prime territory.
Best Methods
Top Techniques
The Legendary Fall Run
September through December marks the most exciting fishing of the year on the Jersey Shore. As striped bass migrate south along the coast, they push massive schools of bunker and other baitfish, creating a feeding frenzy that surf fishermen and charter boats alike live for.
- September: False albacore arrive, early migrating stripers appear
- October: The run builds momentum, stripers feeding heavily
- November: Peak action, trophy fish move through
- December: Late-season giants, dedicated anglers score big
Hot Spots: Island Beach State Park, Sandy Hook, LBI, Belmar jetties
Methods: Live bunker, bunker chunks, swimming plugs, metals at dawn/dusk
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Now that you know what's biting, find the perfect charter boat for your fishing adventure.