{"id":40242,"date":"2022-10-05T13:47:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T11:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?p=40242"},"modified":"2026-02-11T21:13:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T21:13:48","slug":"cape-may-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/cape-may-fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"Cape May Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 9<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Cape May is located at the southernmost tip of New Jersey and is America’s oldest seaside resort. It offers the perfect mixture of historic charm and authentic beauty. You can enjoy an early-morning stroll before spending your day on the beach. Or enjoy some whale watching from March to December. There’s also, however, something for us anglers too. Fishing in Cape May<\/a> is absolutely world-class.<\/p>

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Cape May Harbor<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

First of all, Cape May is among the most prolific Striped Bass fisheries in the country. You can get to sheltered sounds within a mile of shore and then head to Cape May inlet, before eventually venturing out into the deep waters of the Atlantic. Alternatively, anglers can explore the shallows of Delaware Bay and everything Cape May Canal has to offer. <\/p>

In this guide, we’ll talk about the best fish species you can target everywhere from Delaware Bay in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. We’ll also cover the best spots, seasonality, and fishing techniques. So, on that note, let’s dive in. <\/p>

Best Fish to Catch in Cape May<\/h2>
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Wherever you set foot in Cape May – be it a jetty, a spot along the shoreline, or out on the high seas – you can get your hands on a large variety of fish species. Your potential catch depends on the season and where exactly you’ll be fishing. <\/p>

If you stick to the inshore waters, you can expect anything from high-class Striped Bass <\/strong>and Bluefish<\/strong> to Tautog<\/strong> and Weakfish<\/strong>. In the Atlantic, your list of catches may include Tuna<\/strong>, Mahi Mahi<\/strong>, and even Marlin<\/strong> and Sharks<\/strong>. So let’s see what exactly you can find, and where. <\/p>

Delaware Bay and Inshore<\/h3>

Blackfish (Tautog)<\/h4>
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Also known as Tautog<\/a>, Blackfish<\/strong> are among the popular catches in Cape May. They aren’t only fun to catch, but also make good table fare. You may want to pay attention to the open seasons and NJ size and possession limits while targeting Blackfish. 15 inches is the minimum length<\/strong>, while the possession limit varies depending on the season<\/a>.<\/p>

Where’s the best spot to target the fish? Most local anglers recommend fishing near the reefs. Blackfish are normally active during the summer months<\/strong>. However, as they migrate quite often, you can try your hand at Blackfishing in winter, too.<\/p>

Weakfish<\/h4>
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Fishing for Weakfish<\/strong><\/a> in Cape May is pretty exciting. Both local and visiting anglers especially enjoy targeting Weakfish thanks to their beauty. In fact, you can do it anytime from May until August <\/strong>– <\/strong>but there’s no closed season. <\/p>

If you’re looking to target Weakfish, book an early morning<\/strong> charter. This is the best time to try your hand at fishing for Weakfish in Cape May, although you might still find them in the early afternoon. Make sure to let your charter captain know you want to go after them, though, so that they can tailor-make your trip.<\/p>

The minimum size of Tautog is 13<\/strong> inches<\/strong>, while the possession limit is one fish per angler<\/strong>.<\/p>

Striped Bass<\/h4>
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Striped Bass<\/strong> fishing in Cape May <\/a>is a year-round pleasure, although August through October <\/strong>is the best time of year. During the fall, Stripers target schooling bait, so you’ll most likely want to strike then. While many other fish head to warmer waters, Striped Bass don’t mind when it gets cold. <\/p>

You can keep one Striped Bass within a size limit of 28–38 inches<\/strong>. The open seasons vary depending on where you’re planning to fish. Keep in mind, though, that you’re only allowed to fish within 3 nautical miles<\/strong> from shore in the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>

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Bluefish<\/h4>
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Come July, anglers pack their rods and hit the bays in search of Bluefish<\/strong><\/a>. These beautiful fish bite less as the water cools down, although you can still enjoy some action in the fall. Bluefish actively feed from July through October.<\/strong> But, as with Weakfish, there’s no closed season!<\/p>

There’s also currently no size limit<\/strong>. You can keep five fish per person<\/strong> if you’re fishing with a party\/charter, and three<\/strong> if you’re a solo angler.<\/p>

Atlantic Ocean<\/h3>

Tuna<\/h4>
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Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Bigeye Tuna <\/strong>are among the potential catches for offshore anglers in Cape May. That means that Tuna enthusiasts have the opportunity to catch some fish any time of the year!<\/p>

If you’re after Yellowfin<\/a>, head out anytime from May through September<\/strong>. June and July<\/strong> are best for both Bluefin<\/a> and Bigeye<\/a>, while you can also target Bluefin in October<\/strong>. <\/p>

When it comes to size and possession limits, you can keep three<\/strong> Yellowfins<\/strong> of a 27″ curved fork length<\/strong> per person, while limits for Bluefin change<\/strong> depending on the season. You can keep as many Bigeye as you catch<\/strong>, as long as they’re of a 27″ curved fork length<\/strong>. <\/p>

Local captains know the best spots and techniques for Tuna, so it’s never a bad idea to book a trip with a local crew. They can take you to canyons and offshore dropoffs, where the possibility to spot these underwater monsters increases.<\/p>

Marlin<\/h4>
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When it comes to Marlin fishing in Cape May, White<\/strong> and Blue<\/strong> are both on the menu. These ferocious fighters are popular catches throughout the offshore waters, especially during summer<\/strong> and fall<\/strong>. Both Blue<\/a> and White Marlin<\/a> bite best from July through September<\/strong>, but you’re welcome to look for them any time of the year.<\/p>

There are no possession limits, however, catch-and-release <\/strong>is always encouraged when fishing for Marlin in Cape May. If you want to keep one anyway, let your captain know in advance and check the regulations.<\/p>

Sharks<\/h4>
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Shark fishing aficionados won’t be disappointed by what Cape May has to offer! Throughout the year, you can hit the Atlantic Ocean and head offshore to look for Sharks such as Hammerhead<\/strong> and Mako<\/strong>. <\/p>

Mako<\/a> bite best during spring<\/strong> and then from October to November<\/strong>. Generally, summer<\/strong> is a great time of the year to catch Sharks. The most important thing is making sure to go to the ocean waters. <\/p>

Just like other species, Sharks are heavily regulated. Catch-and-release<\/strong> is a common practice while fishing for these toothy monsters. However, you can take a look at the Federal size and possession limits<\/a> if you want to keep a non-prohibited Shark.<\/p>

Swordfish<\/h4>
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Finally, our list won’t be complete without one of the most iconic deep sea fish. The elusive Swordfish<\/a> is also among the potential catches on a Cape May deep sea fishing trip. You can battle these monsters during the summer months <\/strong>or early fall<\/strong>. <\/p>

Local captains usually offer separate deep-dropping packages for Swordfish, along with nighttime charters. Normally, you’d release all Swordfish caught. That is if you manage to catch one!<\/p>

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What anglers said about fishing in Cape May<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>

How to Go Fishing in Cape May<\/h2>
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With such a rich variety of potential targets, Cape May captains use a range of fishing techniques. For example, drifting<\/strong> is the most popular method to land Striped Bass, especially if you drift baits over the rips at the mouth of the bay. Late evening or nighttime Weakfishing usually includes casting jigs<\/strong> with plastic worms or crabs. <\/p>

Cape May Tuna anglers practice trolling<\/strong> around various canyons, although you may also throw jigs<\/strong> or<\/strong> poppers<\/strong> to mix it up. When targeting Sharks, local captains stick to throwing bait<\/strong> and using circle hooks and wire leaders. <\/p>

If you’re a shore angler, you might already know that Cape May is famous for its beaches. Surf fishing<\/strong> for Bass is a popular activity among both locals and visiting anglers. <\/p>

The best option to get to know the Cape May fishing scene is to book a trip with a local captain. It doesn’t matter if you fish in the bay or the Atlantic, there are various guides that cater to all sorts of anglers and work throughout the year.<\/p>

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Cape May Fishing Spots<\/h2>

When picking where to go fishing, the dilemma is simple: stay in the bay or head to the ocean? The inshore waters are full of bars and shoals for you to explore. If you decide to leave the Inlet, you can venture up to 100 miles offshore to look for big game species. <\/p>

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Here are our top picks for the best fishing spots in Cape May:<\/p>