Barnegat Inlet/Waretown NJ Fishing Information
If you like to fish inshore or offshore the Waretown and Barnegat inlet areas are great fishing destinations. Waretown is on the mainland but a short boat ride to the Barneget Inlet area and is a good bet for the early summer Tuna fishing due to it's close proximity to the southern canyons off our coast. It's also a great area for Blackfishing since it's close to the southern wrecks which don't get as much fishing pressure as their northern peers. The lower Barnegat bay area is also know for great Weak and Fluke fishing. This area is also know for great surf fishing. The area directly north of the inlet is Island Beach State Park where 4 wheel drive vehicles called " Beach Buggies" are allowed to drive on the beach. You do however need to get a permit for this.

Fishing Calendar Depending on the time of year most Party Boats will fish for the following species: March - April: Blackfish, Ling, Cod April - May: Winter Flounder June - September: Fluke, Bluefish, Striped Bass, Weakfish Many Charter Boats will fish for the same species as the Party Boats and will also fish offshore for Sharks from June - September and Tuna during August through early October.

Some Fishing Tips Surf Fishing is good along all the local beaches especially around jetties and inlets. Bluefish are caught in great numbers in the surf and by boat. Diving birds are a sure sign there are Bluefish in the area. Blackfish is best done by a charter or party boat since you need knowledge and experience to locate and fish wrecks and rock piles. If you’re not in the rocks or on a wreck you’re not going to catch. Striped Bass are usually targeted in the ocean from a boat and in the surf. Tuna are targeted in the summer months offshore in the Canyons. Sharks are targeted all through the summer months and can be are usually be caught inshore of the canyons anywhere from 15 – 50 miles out. Please be responsible and only keep what you intend to eat and practice catch and release! Party Boating - Make sure to arrive early and get a good spot on the boat. You want to stay near the bow or the stern this way you can fish comfortably regardless of the direction the boat is drifting. Charter Boats - Book trips early and make sure you have a species in mind and have a back up spices in case the fish don't cooperate. Make sure and discuss it with the captain so they are prepared and are in agreement. In the case of fishing for Tuna, make sure you are aware of the captains rules as far as keeping fish. Some boats, especially when giant Tuna fishing, will keep most of what their charters catch.