The tuna bite at New Jersey/Maryland shore points is hot

CJ Maurer of New Tripoli, managed to land this 68-inch, 200-pound bigeye tuna while fishing aboard his dad's charter boat our of Ocean City, MD. Contributed photo

If heading to the Jersey or Maryland shore for vacation, be aware that offshore tuna fishing is hot right now. 

According to my fishing reporters from On the Water Magazine, offshore fishing is one of the most intense and rewarding experiences you can have on the water. It’s part patience, part problem-solving and part pure chaos – and that’s why people keep coming back. And they make great table fare be it tuna steaks or ahi tuna. 

As an example, Kyle Tangen at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach, reported that there is very good tuna fishing in the canyon, especially the South Toms Canyon. Anglers are catching yellowfin and bigeye, mainly on the troll with sidetrackers and ballyhoo. The larger bigeye, up to 250 pounds, can be found in the Hudson, he said. 

He also had reports of yellowfin at the Chicken Canyon and the Triple Wrecks. Tangen said he’s had early solid reports on sword fishing as well. As far as fluke goes, he said the better fishing can still be found in the Manasquan and Shark rivers. The boats on the wrecks and reefs are reporting good fishing overall, but it varies from day to day. Anglers who know how to fish the sticky stuff definitely have the edge. The Manasquan river is also producing bass and blues. The night striper fishing has been good around the bridges and live spot are catching blues and bass in the Point Pleasant Canal, he reports. 

As a testament to the good tuna fishing right now, Charles Jacob Maurer of New Tripoli (pictured above) and an upcoming freshman at Northwestern High School, was aboard his fathers TUNA CH-ACE-R charter boat out of Ocean City, Maryland, when he hooked into and subsequently landed a 68-inch, 200-pound bigeye tuna while fishing near Poorman’s Canyon. According to his father, Capt. Charles Maurer, his son hooked the tuna at 3:35 p.m. using a 353 Custom Tackle head with tail. And after a grueling five-hour battle, the tuna was finally boated at 8:30 p.m..  This was the first-ever bigeye for the boat and crew. 

For inshore beach action, Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright, reported loads of fluke being caught off the beach with keepers in the 18-20-inch range. One shop customer landed a 6-pound, 25.5-incher off the beach early Thursday morning. Pinto said bucktails from a half to three-quarters of an ounce with 5-6-inch Gulp jerk shads in pearl or glow, were working best. Change of tide seemed to offer the best fishing. 

SUNDAY HUNTING BILL PASSED

As you may know by now, Governor Shapiro signed House Bill 1431 to repeal Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban. 

HB 1431’s signing into law as Act 36 of 2025 opens a 60-day window for the law to take effect. The Game Commission is currently reviewing the options available to add new Sunday hunting opportunities to the established 2025-26 hunting seasons, and is working to determine how soon they could occur. More will be known in the coming weeks and the Game Commission will share important news when available. 
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