Bigeye fishing out of Barnegat Light means an overnight run from the inlet at the north end of Long Beach Island to the canyons, planned around two bite windows: first light and just before dark. Boats clear Barnegat Inlet and the nearshore reefs, head east toward Hudson Canyon, and time the trip to arrive for both. This guide covers when the fish bite, the run, how local boats fish it, the structure you pass on the way out, and who fishes for bigeye from this port.
When bigeye bite out of Barnegat Light
Captain Dave’s says bigeye bite at first light and just before dark. Boats plan to be on the canyon walls for the dawn bite and again for the dusk bite, not in the middle of the day.
- First light: the dawn bite, fished on the walls
- Just before dark: the dusk bite, the second window of the same trip
Species biology and the general season picture are in our bigeye tuna fishing guide.
The run from Barnegat Inlet to the canyons
Captain Dave’s puts the tip of Hudson Canyon about 70 miles east of Barnegat Inlet. Bigeye trips to the canyons run 30 hours overnight from Barnegat Light.
The Barnegat Light port page covers the departure point. On the way out you clear the Barnegat Inlet jetty and the rocks at Barnegat Light State Park.
The format fits the distance. A 70-mile run lets a boat reach the walls before dark, work through the night, and be back on the walls at first light.
For canyons beyond Hudson Canyon, see the Atlantic Northeast bigeye guide (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
| Run fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Departure point | Barnegat Inlet |
| Main ground | Tip of Hudson Canyon, about 70 miles east (Captain Dave’s) |
| Trip format | 30-hour overnight canyon trip |
| Bite windows | First light and just before dark (Captain Dave’s) |
How bigeye are fished locally
The methods follow the bite windows: trolling covers dawn and dusk, and chunking fills the hours between. The same trips also work other tuna species.
Trolling the canyon walls at sunrise and sunset
Captain Dave’s trolls the canyon walls at sunrise and sunset, matching the first light and just-before-dark bite windows.
Chunking
Captain Dave’s also chunks for bigeye. Chunking covers the hours between the trolling windows, which on a 30-hour trip means the overnight stretch.
Bait: sardines and butterfish
On the overnight canyon trip, sardines and butterfish are provided as bait.
Structure near the inlet
These named nearshore sites are landmarks on the way out, not bigeye grounds. Trips run past them to the canyons.
Barnegat Light Reef, which locals call "The Tires," sits in 45 to 60 ft, about 3 miles due east of the Barnegat Light lighthouse. Four wrecks sit on the reef:
| Site | Description | Depth (ft) | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tibor | 45 ft tug, sunk 2023 | 50–60 (reef range) | 39 45.792 N / 74 01.191 W |
| Tuna Sub | Barge sponsored by Forked River Tuna Club, 2002 | 50–60 (reef range) | 39 45.973 N / 74 01.459 W |
| Towboat #9 | Former USCG patrol boat, 1995 | 50–60 (reef range) | 39 45.127 N / 74 01.297 W |
| Antares | 41 ft sailboat, 1996 | 50–60 (reef range) | 39 45.067 N / 74 01.892 W |
Other named grounds in the area are the Garden State North and South reefs and the Atlantic Princess.
These coordinates are for reference only. Chart layers are not for navigation, so check the official chart, including the NOAA Coast Pilot New Jersey chapter.
Who fishes bigeye out of this port
Bigeye fishing out of Barnegat Light has both a charter side and a commercial side.
Charters that list bigeye
- Miss Barnegat Light: see Miss Barnegat Light’s website. The site menu has an About Captain John Larson page.
- Captain Dave’s Charters: the boat is the Benita J, based in Beach Haven. See Captain Dave’s Charters fishing reports.
The commercial fleet
Viking Village longliners land bigeye at Barnegat Light commercially.
FAQ: bigeye tuna fishing out of Barnegat Light
How far is Hudson Canyon from Barnegat Inlet?
Captain Dave’s puts the tip of Hudson Canyon about 70 miles east of Barnegat Inlet.
When do bigeye bite out of Barnegat Light?
Per Captain Dave’s, at first light and just before dark.
How long are canyon trips from Barnegat Light?
Overnight canyon trips run 30 hours.
What bait is used?
Sardines and butterfish are provided as bait on the overnight canyon trip.
Do the reefs near the inlet hold bigeye?
Barnegat Light Reef and its wrecks are named nearshore structure in 45 to 60 ft. The bigeye trips run past them to the canyons.
Which charters list bigeye?
Miss Barnegat Light, and Captain Dave’s Charters on the Benita J out of Beach Haven. Viking Village longliners land bigeye commercially.
