Bigeye tuna fishing out of Beach Haven is a canyon trip. Boats run from Beach Haven on southern Long Beach Island to the walls between Hudson and Wilmington canyons, June through October, and the plan is built around dusk and first light. For biology and general behavior, read the bigeye tuna guide. This page covers when, where, how and who for this port.
When bigeye are off Beach Haven
The local tuna program sets the window, and the light sets the bite within it.
June through October
The Benita J tuna program runs June through October, and a separate overnight Big Eye trip is offered as well.
- Program window: June through October
- Port: Beach Haven, Long Beach Island
- Target grounds: canyon walls between Hudson and Wilmington
The low-light bite
The Benita J’s operator says most bigeye come just before dark or at first light. A day trip that leaves and returns in daylight misses both windows, which is why the local pattern centers on sunset and sunrise. Plan to be on the wall for the light rather than arriving after it. The timing tells you when to be there, but it doesn’t promise fish.
Where Beach Haven boats run
Beach Haven boats run to the canyons. The nearshore reefs are the ground you cross on the way.
Hudson to Wilmington canyons
Boats fish the canyon walls and feeding grounds between Hudson Canyon and Wilmington Canyon, which bound the run. For the wider view, see the Northeast canyon picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
Named grounds off the inlet
These are the named structure you cross leaving Little Egg Inlet. They are landmarks on the way out and are not bigeye grounds; the canyon walls are.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Little Egg Reef | 50 | Off Little Egg Inlet |
| Garden State South Reef | 55 to 65 | 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach |
| Rhino (crew boat) | 65 | Within Garden State South Reef |
| Ocean Wreck Divers I (USCG 44-foot patrol boat) | 60 | Within Garden State South Reef |
| VHFC patrol boat | 80 | Within Garden State South Reef |
| Jessie C (crew boat) | – | Within Little Egg Reef |
| Triple Wrecks | – | – |
| Mud Hole | – | – |
Chart layers are not for navigation. Use these positions for planning and confirm everything against official charts.
How bigeye are fished from this port
Two methods are used locally, and both follow from the low-light bite. For technique in depth, see our tuna guides.
Trolling the walls at sunset and sunrise
The local method is trolling the canyon walls at sunset and sunrise. This puts the boat on the wall for the two windows when the operator reports most bigeye come.
Chunking
Chunking is the second method used locally, fished alongside the trolling program.
The overnight Big Eye trip
Captain Dave’s offers a separate overnight Big Eye trip that puts a boat on the canyon walls for both dusk and first light. If you run your own boat, it shows how the local operator structures a trip around both windows.
Who fishes for bigeye out of Beach Haven
Two names anchor the port: the charter that lists bigeye and the tournament that draws crews in June.
Benita J and Capt. Dave Wittenborn
Captain Dave’s Beach Haven charters lists bigeye tuna among its targets. The Benita J is captained by Dave Wittenborn.
Beach Haven Tuna Open
The Beach Haven Tuna Open is the port’s bigeye tournament, usually held in June, at the start of the June to October window.
FAQ about bigeye tuna fishing out of Beach Haven
When is bigeye season out of Beach Haven?
The Benita J tuna program runs June through October.
Where do Beach Haven boats fish for bigeye?
Boats fish the canyon walls and feeding grounds between Hudson Canyon and Wilmington Canyon.
What time of day do bigeye bite?
The Benita J’s operator says most bigeye come just before dark or at first light. That is why boats troll the walls at sunset and sunrise.
Is there an overnight bigeye trip from Beach Haven?
Yes. Captain Dave’s offers a separate overnight Big Eye trip on the Benita J.
Is there a bigeye tournament in Beach Haven?
Yes. The Beach Haven Tuna Open is usually held in June.
Where do I find bigeye rules for New Jersey?
Use the state regulations page and the federal Atlantic tuna rules page, and check both before you fish.
