Point Pleasant / Brielle / Manasquan Fishing Information
Point Pleasant and Brielle are both in very close proximity to Manasquan inlet. The area plays host to a number of charter and party boats . It is perhaps best known for it’s fleet of Hudson Canyon and off shore charter fishing boats. If your quarry is large sportfish such as Tuna, Marlin or Shark this area has one of the highest concentrations of the most experienced boats and captains in the state.

Fishing Calendar Depending on the time of year most Party Boats in Point Pleasant, Brielle & Manasquan will fish for the following species: March - April: Blackfish, Ling, Cod April - May: Winter Flounder June - September: Fluke, Bluefish, Striped Bass, Weakfish Many Charter Boats will fish for the same species as the Party Boats and will also fish offshore for Sharks from June - September and Tuna and Marlin during August through early October.

Some Fishing Tips Surf Fishing is good along all the local beaches. The Manasquan inlet is the most popular spot. Barnegat Bay fishing and crabbing is great for small boaters but is better accessible to areas south like Toms River. Bluefish are fished for almost exclusively in the ocean. Diving birds are a sure sign there are Bluefish in the area. The most popular way to fish for Blues is to anchor your boat chum with ground bunker to attract the fish while dropping back cut bunker. Make sure to use a heavy mono or wire leader since these fish a sharp teeth that will make short order of 10 - 15 lb mono. Night time is great for Bluefish as well. Blackfish is best done by a charter or party boat since you need knowledge and experience to locate and fish wrecks and rock piles. If your not in the rocks or on a wreck your not going to catch. Tuna are targeted in the summer months offshore in the Canyons. Sharks are targeted all through the summer months and can be are usually be caught inshore of the canyons anywhere from 15 – 50 miles out. Please be responsible and only keep what you intend to eat and practice catch and release! Party Boating - Make sure to arrive early and get a good spot on the boat. You want to stay near the bow or the stern this way you can fish comfortably regardless of the direction the boat is drifting. Charter Boats - Book trips early and make sure you have a species in mind and have a back up spices in case the fish don't cooperate. Make sure and discuss it with the captain so they are prepared and are in agreement. In the case of fishing for Tuna, make sure you are aware of the captains rules as far as keeping fish. Some boats, especially when giant Tuna fishing, will keep most of what their charters catch. Canyon Fishing is not for the faint of heart and is best done on a 30+ foot boat with an experienced crew. Depending on what part of the canyon is producing you are likely make a 70 mile run off shore. This can prove to be very trying in a small boat unless conditions are near perfect. Leave canyon fishing to the experts and book a charter boat... It’s safer, more enjoyable and you are more likely to catch fish since these boats frequent the canyon and know where the fish are.

Canyon Fishing For First Timers If your fishing for Tuna make sure you have a permit. Make sure you have sufficient fuel range. Plan for a trip of 200 miles or so to play it safe. If your forced to carry spare tanks of fuel , make sure you keep them strapped down and you have an easy way to transfer fuel since it can get rough out on the open ocean. File a float plan before departing to let people know where your going and when you plan to return. A Loran or GPS and a EPIRB are musts. Try and team up with other boats going out. Try to avoid running back in the middle of the afternoon since this tends to be the time when the wind kicks up. A minimum of 3 people is advisable to split up the driving. Get plenty of rest before you leave. The trip is very tiring. Check water temp charts to identify general areas where the water is warmer. When you arrive in the general area be careful to pay close attention to temperature breaks and or bottom structures like drop offs as these are likely areas for fish. If you plan to anchor and chunk make sure you have at least 1000 feet of anchor line since you are likely to be anchoring in 200+ feet of water. An anchor ball or windless will make it much easier to bring in the anchor.