Top 10 Saltwater Fish to Catch in New Jersey
Fish to Catch in New Jersey
Striper runs, bluefish chaos. Jersey salt, no apologies.
FISHYAF
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Top 10 Species
Meet the ten species that earned their spot on this list. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Striped Bass (Striper)
Verified
World Record
81 lb 14 oz
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Signature Fact
Their eggs must stay drifting for about 48 hours-sink once, and the entire spawn suffocates.
2
Redfish
Verified
World Record
94 lb 2 oz
David R. Deuel / 1984
Hatteras, North Carolina
David R. Deuel / 1984
Hatteras, North Carolina
Signature Fact
Males literally drum-low booms you can feel through the hull on calm spawning nights.
3
Bluefish
Verified
World Record
31 lb 12 oz
James Hussey / 1972
Hatteras, North Carolina
James Hussey / 1972
Hatteras, North Carolina
Signature Fact
They practice brutal "surplus killing": slashing dozens of baitfish even with bellies bulging to the gills.
4
Black Sea Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
10 lb 4 oz
Dennis B. DeMaria / 2010
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Dennis B. DeMaria / 2010
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Signature Fact
Most start as females, then the biggest 'boss' switches sex and grows that knothead hump anglers brag about.
5
Weakfish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
19 lb 2 oz
Billy B. Hahn / 1986
Delaware Bay, USA
Billy B. Hahn / 1986
Delaware Bay, USA
Signature Fact
Males beat superfast muscles on the swim bladder to "purr" loud enough to hear through a boat hull.
6
Bluefin Tuna
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
1,496 lb 0 oz
Ken Fraser / 1979
Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia
Ken Fraser / 1979
Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia
Signature Fact
Bluefin run a built‑in furnace, keeping muscles, eyes, and brain up to 20°C warmer than seawater.
7
North Atlantic Cusk
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
37 lb 11 oz
David A. Robinson / 1992
Jeffreys Ledge, Gulf of Maine
David A. Robinson / 1992
Jeffreys Ledge, Gulf of Maine
Signature Fact
The only North Atlantic codfish sporting a single, unbroken dorsal fin running almost nose-to-tail.
8
Wolfish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
52 lb 5 oz
Sigurður H. Magnússon / 1978
Iceland
Sigurður H. Magnússon / 1978
Iceland
Signature Fact
Its blood carries natural antifreeze, letting it swim in water cold enough to slush your guides.
9
Golden Tilefish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
63 lb 4 oz
R. D. Cummings / 1966
Ocean City, Maryland
R. D. Cummings / 1966
Ocean City, Maryland
Signature Fact
Underwater masons, they build shell-lined, rock-fortified burrows so dense they form "tilefish towns" visible on sonar.
10
Ribbon Fish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 0 oz
Antonio J. Rodrigues / 2005
Portugal
Antonio J. Rodrigues / 2005
Portugal
Signature Fact
At up to 2.5 meters yet belt‑thin, it sometimes hovers vertically, powered by a scarlet‑crested dorsal ribbon.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in New Jersey?
New Jersey saltwater means striped bass, redfish, bluefish, black sea bass, and more on the line.
What is the best time of year to fish in New Jersey?
Prime saltwater action in New Jersey usually runs spring through fall, with some species biting into late season.
Where are the best places to fish in New Jersey?
Hit the New Jersey coast or inshore waters—striped bass and bluefish show up strong all along the salt.
What gear do you need for fishing in New Jersey?
Bring medium to heavy spinning or conventional setups to handle everything from black sea bass to bluefin tuna.
What are the easiest fish to catch in New Jersey?
Black sea bass, bluefish, and weakfish are some of the more accessible saltwater targets in New Jersey.
