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Saltwater & Coast

Cape May Fishing Guide

New Jersey

The southern tip of New Jersey with rips, jetties, and back bays for stripers and fluke.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Cape May for striped bass, flounder and bluefish. The best months overall are Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, striped bass, flounder and bluefish are in season, and Clouser Minnow, Lefty's Deceiver and Walking Topwater are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Off The Hook Bait & Tackle in Cape May, under 1 mi away. Delaware Bay is 18 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

In October

Striped Bass, Flounder, Bluefish

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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F
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What You'll Catch

Cape May Species

Striped Bass

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
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J
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S
O
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D

Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Flounder

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
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J
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S
O
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D

Best: Apr to May, Sep to Nov

Bluefish

Prime Now
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Best: May to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

8 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Lefty's Deceiver #3/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · Bluefish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Bluefish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Flounder, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Bucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Flounder, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Metal Jig 1/2 to 3 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Bluefish

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Flounder · Mud minnows or finger mullet.

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Bluefish

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Striped Bass

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.

Flounder

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid, Carolina rig or bucktail.

Bluefish

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate line, wire or 40 lb bite tippet.

Spin / Cast 7 to 9 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 20 lb braid with a wire leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Cape May

Jigs

Spro Bucktail Jigs

Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.

Check Price

Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

Check Price

Metal Jigs

Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig

A small, heavy casting jig for fast-moving albies and mackerel.

Check Price

Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

Check Price

Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

Check Price

Soft Plastics

Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ

A tough, stretchy paddle tail that survives toothy fish.

Check Price

Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod

Backbone for big flies, heavy wind, and fish that run into the backing.

Check Price

Topwater

Heddon Zara Spook

The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.

Check Price

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Cape May

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Delaware · 18 mi

Delaware Bay

A broad estuary known for spring striped bass and summer flounder.

Striped Bass · Flounder · Bluefish

Saltwater & Coast · Delaware · 25 mi

Indian River Inlet

A busy inlet with jetty fishing for stripers, flounder, and blues.

Striped Bass · Flounder · Bluefish

Saltwater & Coast · New Jersey · 73 mi

Barnegat Bay

A shallow bay behind Long Beach Island and Island Beach State Park with fluke, blues, and stripers.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · Flounder

Saltwater & Coast · Maryland · 73 mi

Susquehanna Flats

Grass flats at the head of the Chesapeake with striped bass and largemouth. Check current Maryland spawning-season closures.

Striped Bass · Largemouth Bass