When Bluefin Are Off Wildwood
Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Wildwood runs May through October. Boats work inshore water inside the canyons and out to the canyon edge. This guide covers where boats run, the grounds by name and depth, how the fish are fished locally, and who fishes them from here. For the port itself, see the Wildwood port guide. Biology, migration and behavior are in the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing guide, and the broader coastal pattern is in the regional bluefin guide (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
Where Boats Run and the Grounds That Hold Fish
Wildwood bluefin water falls into two zones. Inshore, it is the water inside the canyons: Wildwood Reef, its barges and Five Fathom Bank. Farther out is the canyon edge: Wilmington, Spencer, Lindenkohl and Carteret.
Over Under lists bluefin inshore on its 12 hour trips, which run inside the canyons. Bodacious lists bluefin among canyon-area targets off Cape May.
| Ground | Type | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildwood Reef | Reef | 42 ft | |
| Pair of Kings tanker barge | Barge | Northern end of Wildwood Reef | |
| Michael DePalma barge | Barge | On Wildwood Reef, a 70 ft barge | |
| Five Fathom Bank | Bank | ||
| Wilmington Canyon | Canyon | 600 ft | About 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey |
| Spencer Canyon | Canyon | ||
| Lindenkohl Canyon | Canyon | Over Under reaches it from Avalon | |
| Carteret Canyon | Canyon | Over Under reaches it from Avalon |
Wildwood Reef and Its Barges
Wildwood Reef sits in 42 ft of water. The Pair of Kings tanker barge lies on its northern end, and the Michael DePalma barge, a 70 ft barge, is also on the reef.
Five Fathom Bank
Five Fathom Bank is the other named inshore ground near Wildwood.
The Canyons
Wilmington Canyon is 600 ft deep and about 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey. Spencer Canyon sits alongside it. Over Under reaches Lindenkohl and Carteret from Avalon, and Bodacious lists canyon-area bluefin off Cape May.
How Bluefin Are Fished Out of Wildwood
Bluefin out of Wildwood are fished by trolling or jigging. For yellowfin and other tunas, see the tuna fishing guides.
Trolling and Jigging
Trolling and jigging are the two methods used locally.
Reading Conditions (CMAN4)
The nearest NOAA station is CMAN4 (station 8536110) at Cape May, NJ, 38.968 N 74.960 W. Check its wind and water numbers before you run, alongside the official forecast.
Who Fishes Bluefin Out of Wildwood
Two local charters list Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Over Under Charters
Over Under Charters (Wildwood Fishing) runs the 12 hour trips described in its trip listings. It lists bluefin inshore on those trips, which run inside the canyons, and reaches Lindenkohl and Carteret from Avalon.
Bodacious Sportfishing
Bodacious is a 55 ft Custom Carolina with twin diesels. See Bodacious Sportfishing out of Cape May. It lists bluefin among canyon-area targets off Cape May.
FAQ: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishing Out of Wildwood
When are bluefin off Wildwood?
May through October.
How far do boats run for bluefin from Wildwood?
Over Under’s 12 hour trips work inshore water inside the canyons. Canyon trips reach Wilmington Canyon, which is 600 ft deep and about 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey.
What structure holds bluefin near Wildwood?
Inshore: Wildwood Reef (42 ft), the Pair of Kings tanker barge on its northern end, the Michael DePalma barge (a 70 ft barge on the reef) and Five Fathom Bank. Offshore: Wilmington, Spencer, Lindenkohl and Carteret Canyons.
How are bluefin fished out of Wildwood?
Trolling or jigging.
Who runs bluefin charters from Wildwood?
Over Under Charters lists inshore bluefin on 12 hour trips inside the canyons. Bodacious Sportfishing, a 55 ft Custom Carolina, lists canyon-area bluefin off Cape May.
Where do I check conditions before running?
NOAA CMAN4, station 8536110, Cape May, NJ, at 38.968 N 74.960 W. Read wind and water as numbers.
