NJ Bluefish Fishing Regs With no closed season anglers are allowed to fish and harvest bluefish all year. There is NO minimum size limit on bluefish.
How many bluefish can you keep in NJ?
2022 New Jersey Marine Fishing Limits
| Fish Species | Open Season | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bluefish (Snapper) | Year Round | 3 per person 5 per person from charter vessel |
| Clam, Hard | Year Round | 150 Clams |
| Cobia | Year Round | 1 per vessel |
| Cod | Year Round | No limit |
When can you catch bluefish NJ?
Bluefish: Year-round open season. According to the NJDEP, bluefish are most abundant May through December. Pictured above is Roger Kastorsky with his state-record bluefish. Kastorsky reeled-in the 27-pound, one-ounce creature in 1997 off of Five Fathom Bank.
What size fish can you keep in New Jersey?
Size, Season & Creel Limits
| Minimum Size | |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12 inches |
| 15 inches | |
| Smallmouth Bass | |
| 15 inches |
Where can I fish for bluefish in NJ?
Best Places To Catch Them:
NJ Party boat fishing for bluefish are very popular all along the coast. From north to south the most popular areas are Atlantic Highlands, Shark River/Belmar, Brielle & Point Pleasent, Barnegat Light and Cape May.
How many rods can you fish with in NJ?
three rods
No more than three rods, each with one line, or two hand lines—or one of each—may be used. No more than three single hooks or three treble hooks per line.
Do I need a license to fish saltwater in NJ?
New Jersey does not require a general saltwater fishing license but there are a limited number of saltwater licenses and permits required. Additionally, most saltwater anglers need to register with the free New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.
What is the best month to catch bluefish?
The best time of day to catch bluefish is from late evening through about 2 o’clock in the morning under most moon phases. The best season is typically mid-to-late summer through early fall.
What is the best bait for bluefish?
Juvenile mullet, called finger mullet, is a great bait in this case because of its small size. A finger mullet on a rig with a float and wire leader is the go-to choice for bluefish; however, full bunker or any fish for that matter will work too.
What kind of bait do bluefish eat?
Anglers drifting with chunks or strips of fresh or frozen cut bait catch many bluefish as well. Squid is a top frozen bait. Where possible, most anglers prefer to use fresh caught cut bait. Pogies, spot, sardines, and any other oily fish make great cut baits.
How many hooks can you use in NJ?
nine hooks
It Is Unlawful To:
Possess a fishing device with more than nine hooks in total, or more than three treble hooks, except for the Delaware River; see Delaware River regulations. Use set lines. Use cast nets in freshwater lakes or trout stocked waters.
Can you night fish in NJ?
More and more anglers are finding night fishing is paying off. In the old days, before the Division of Fish and Wildlife stocked catfish, walleyes and hybrid bass, night freshwater fishermen used to fish for bullheads and eels. Now they have more after-dark variety added to their fishing menu.
What is the fine for fishing without a license in NJ?
$10
(1) Any person found hunting, fishing or trapping without the proper license or tag as may be required conspicuously displayed pursuant to subsection b. of this section shall be liable to a penalty of $10 and costs, to be recovered pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, chapter 10, of the Revised Statutes.
Can you use bluefish as bait?
Great bait… ok when frozen if you vacuum seal and salt. I prefer fresh due to the meat getting mushy. Fresh Bluefish has accounted for a lot of my larger Flounder the past couple years…and Darren is right, Sea Bass love the stuff too.
How do you fish for bluefish?
Catch bluefish by trolling, or casting artificial lures. Cut baits are good for catching bluefish. On the ocean beaches people surf fish for bluefish in the fall. Bluefish have been known to strike at anything and anglers often use wire leaders to prevent the sharp teeth of the bluefish from cutting their lines.
Where can I fish at night in NJ?
Local Waters
There is also a decent night surface bite in Lake Assunpink and Stone Tavern Lake. Carp fishing is good in the canal in Princeton, West Trenton and Griggstown, as well as in the Millstone River. J.B. Kasper/For The TimesA nice bass caught on a surface plug on Greenwood Lake.
Can you eat bluefish?
Bluefish is best eaten as fresh as possible, as it tends to degrade over time and doesn’t keep or freeze well. It has a delicate flavor but can be more “fishy” than other types of seafood. Marinate or cook in acidic liquids to minimize fishiness. Bluefish is soft, and is best grilled, baked, broiled, or smoked.
Can you use bluegill as bait in New Jersey?
The following fish are allowed as bait: Whole pickerel or panfish, such as bluegill, redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish, flier, warmouth or parts thereof may be used as bait for sportfishing by the angler who caught them.
Can you use chicken for crab bait in NJ?
One of the most popular methods is to use baited lines or traps from the bank or a boat. The most common baits are menhaden (bunker) and chicken necks, but any fresh fish will work well.
Where can I fish in NJ without a license?
NJ Freshwater License Requirements
That includes public and private lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks. An exception is made for farmers and family members living on a farm; they don’t need a license but must adhere to general fishing regulations.
Is saltwater fishing in NJ free?
A bill signed by Governor Christie on February 22, 2011, led to the creation of the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. The state registry is free and required of saltwater anglers even if currently registered under the federal program.
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