Take A Wildwood NJ Fishing Vacation

On the Jersey Shore, Wildwood is renowned for its lively boardwalk, beautiful beaches and funky Doo-Wop-era feel, but did you know it’s also one of the best places to fish in NJ? From surf, pier and deep-sea fishing to Wildwood NJ fishing charters, peaceful lakes and lagoons, this seaside town has it all! So if you’re looking for somewhere to take your family or friends for fishing vacations, or you just want to spend a lazy day trying to reel in a big catch, it’s time to head to Wildwood.

Benefits of Wildwood Fishing Vacations

Wildwood and Cape May are two hot spots for anglers because these Jersey Shore towns are so close to the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. When you’re looking for places to fish in NJ, you’ll find this area hosts tons of Wildwood NJ fishing charters and party boats to take advantage of. What else can you expect from a Wildwood NJ fishing trip?
Prime Deep-Sea Fishing
Wildwood is the ideal jumping-off spot for a deep-sea fishing trips. New to casting a line? The area’s experienced fishing pros can teach you the basics on your fishing vacations as you head offshore. Are you more of an adventurous angler? Travel east from Wildwood for some of the best places to fish in NJ and catch the big game lurking in the deep waters. You have your choice of hundreds of Wildwood NJ fishing charters and party boats, with daily launches at nearly every dock in the area. You’ll also have your pick of an all-day trip or just a few hours, with many even offering night fishing! While many of the operators provide sufficient bait, you may have to rent a rod if you don’t own one. Best of all, many of the boat operators will even clean your fish as a part of the fee!

Cool Catches
Wondering what you may catch on a Wildwood NJ fishing trip? Your catches will likely depend on the time of year of your fishing vacations. Most Wildwood NJ fishing charters and party boat operators target specific kinds of fish based on the time of year and whether you’re boating around the cape into the Delaware Bay or in the Atlantic Ocean. Regardless of where or when, you’ll find that a common catch is the striped bass. Weakfish and drum are prevalent in the bay during the summer months, and bluefish can be found in the ocean at that time as well. Curious about fishing for shark? A summer ocean outing offers that exciting possibility, but some regulations apply. If you’re interested in tuna—aim for a trip during the last weeks of summer or early fall, though again, some regulations come into play. In cooler months, you’re more likely to find flounder, blackfish, ling and cod.

Canyon Fishing
Though not recommended for beginners, more experienced anglers can head to Wildwood as the launching area for a canyon fishing trip. While most Wildwood NJ fishing charters venture a maximum of 50 miles offshore, you’ll travel 70 to 80 miles on a canyon trip, fishing in deep trenches for big game like marlin and sharks. The long journey, the need to handle heavy tackle and the possibility of fighting with 100-pound fish makes this a less-than-ideal outing for family fishing vacations.

Know the Regulations
If you’re in Wildwood and have the opportunity to go to some of these top-rated places to fish in NJ, you typically won’t need a deep-sea fishing license. The state only requires a saltwater license for those planning on harvesting shellfish. Plan on fishing for sharks and tuna? You can only due so during the approved federal season and you will need to apply for a shark fishing license with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Check Out the Piers
Most of the piers in Wildwood and neighboring areas are built out over bay waters. That means a wide variety of fish species, and even blue crabs, can be caught from these bayside piers, which include Wildwood Municipal Pier, Grassy Sound Marina Pier and Sunset Pier. Be sure to check them out if you or your family are looking for a fun day of Wildwood NJ fishing!