When bigeye are off Wildwood
Bigeye tuna fishing out of Wildwood follows the New Jersey tuna peak, which runs late August through November. Over Under puts the New Jersey tuna peak in that same window.
The peak covers more than bigeye, so the window applies to tuna fishing generally. Over Under reports bigeye offshore, on the canyon grounds off New Jersey.
The run to the canyons
From Wildwood, you point the bow at the canyon edge. Wilmington Canyon sits about 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey, with structure in 100 to 200 fathoms. Chart Contours shows the 100 and 200 fathom lines. Chart layers are not for navigation.
The run breaks down this way:
- Distance: about 70 nautical miles to Wilmington Canyon.
- Structure depth: 100 to 200 fathoms, which is 600 to 1,200 ft.
- Bottom depth at Wilmington: about 600 ft.
Wilmington Canyon
Wilmington Canyon is the anchor ground and is noted for bigeye. The 100 fathom line is 600 ft, so the roughly 600 ft bottom at Wilmington sits at the shallow end of the 100 to 200 fathom structure.
Reading conditions before the run
The nearest NOAA buoy is CMAN4, station 8536110, at Cape May, 38.968 N 74.960 W. It reports conditions at the coast and cannot see the canyon edge 70 nautical miles out.
Read wind, wave height and period as numbers, then judge them against your boat. Check the NWS Mount Holly marine forecast for the official outlook before you go.
Grounds and structure
The canyons off Wildwood belong to the same set of canyon grounds off the Northeast coast (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide). The table lists the offshore canyons first, then the inshore marks you pass on the way out.
| Name | Type | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Canyon | canyon | about 600 ft | About 70 nm off southern New Jersey. Structure in 100 to 200 fathoms. |
| Spencer Canyon | canyon | ||
| Lindenkohl Canyon | canyon | Over Under reaches it from Avalon. | |
| Carteret Canyon | canyon | Over Under reaches it from Avalon. | |
| Wildwood Reef | reef | 42 ft | |
| Pair of Kings | tanker barge | Northern end of Wildwood Reef. | |
| Michael DePalma | barge | On Wildwood Reef, a 70 ft barge. | |
| Five Fathom Bank |
Wilmington, Spencer, Lindenkohl, Carteret
Wilmington leads the list because it is noted for bigeye. Spencer Canyon is the alternative ground. Over Under reaches Lindenkohl and Carteret canyons from Avalon.
Inshore landmarks on the way out
These marks are reference points on the run and are not bigeye grounds. In order running offshore:
- Wildwood Reef, at 42 ft.
- Pair of Kings, on the northern end of the reef.
- The Michael DePalma, a 70 ft barge on the reef.
- Five Fathom Bank.
How bigeye are fished here
Local methods are short and simple. For deeper tactics, see the bigeye tuna species page.
- Bait: ballyhoo is the usual bait.
- Window: one captain’s dusk bite, around 8 to 9 p.m.
Ballyhoo
Ballyhoo is the usual bait.
The dusk bite
One Wilmington Canyon captain who does not run out of Wildwood fishes the dusk bite, around 8 to 9 p.m. That is his own approach and not a port rule.
Who fishes for bigeye out of Wildwood
Two local operations list bigeye tuna fishing out of Wildwood.
Over Under Charters
Over Under lists bigeye tuna and reports bigeye offshore. It reaches Lindenkohl and Carteret canyons from Avalon.
Bodacious Sportfishing
Bodacious Sportfishing lists bigeye tuna. The boat is Bodacious, a 55 ft Custom Carolina with twin diesels.
FAQ about bigeye out of Wildwood
When is the best time for bigeye tuna fishing out of Wildwood?
Late August through November, per Over Under’s New Jersey tuna peak. Over Under reports bigeye offshore, on the canyon grounds off New Jersey. Plan trips inside that window.
How far is Wilmington Canyon?
About 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey. The Cape May buoy, CMAN4, reports conditions at the coast only and cannot see the canyon edge, so treat its numbers as a starting point for the run.
What depth holds bigeye?
Structure sits in 100 to 200 fathoms, with the bottom at about 600 ft at Wilmington Canyon. For the conversion, 100 fathoms is 600 ft and 200 fathoms is 1,200 ft. Chart Contours shows both lines.
What bait is used?
Ballyhoo is the usual bait. One Wilmington Canyon captain who does not run out of Wildwood fishes the dusk bite, around 8 to 9 p.m. That is one captain’s method and not a port rule.
Which Wildwood charters list bigeye?
Over Under Charters lists bigeye tuna. Bodacious Sportfishing also lists bigeye, running the Bodacious, a 55 ft Custom Carolina with twin diesels.
