Gear & Tackle

Saltwater & Coast

Fly Fishing

Spin, Cast & Bait

Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay Fishing Guide

New Jersey

The bay complex behind Sandy Hook, about 109 square miles, fished from Highlands, Atlantic Highlands, and Keyport for stripers, bluefish, and fluke.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay for striped bass, flounder and bluefish. 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 25 miles; the closest is Prowler 5 in Atlantic Highlands, about 2 mi away. Jamaica Bay is about 15 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Striped Bass
Flounder
Bluefish
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What You'll Catch

Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay Species

Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Flounder

Flounder

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to May, Sep to Nov

Bluefish

Bluefish

Prime Now
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Best: May to Oct

Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; NOAA Fisheries. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

8 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • 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 Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay

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.

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Metal Jigs

Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig

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

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Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

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

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

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

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Soft Plastics

Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ

A tough, stretchy paddle tail that survives toothy fish.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod

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

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Topwater

Heddon Zara Spook

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

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Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · New York · About 15 mi

Jamaica Bay

A bay of marsh and open water inside New York City, from a few inches to over 60 feet deep, with stripers, bluefish, and fluke off Canarsie Pier and Breezy Point.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · Flounder

Saltwater & Coast · New Jersey · About 24 mi

Manasquan Inlet

The inlet between Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach, with a jetty and a seawall where shore anglers catch bluefish and striped bass.

Striped Bass · Bluefish

Lakes & Reservoirs · New Jersey · About 43 mi

Round Valley Reservoir

New Jersey's deepest lake and one of only two in the state with lake trout.

Lake Trout · Brown Trout

Rivers & Streams · New Jersey

South Branch Raritan River

Ken Lockwood Gorge, a scenic catch-and-release trout stretch an hour from New York City.

Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Saltwater & Coast · New Jersey · About 45 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 · New York · About 47 mi

Great South Bay

A shallow bay behind Fire Island on Long Island's south shore, fished for fluke, striped bass, and bluefish.

Flounder · Striped Bass · Bluefish