Black sea bass fishing out of Barnegat Light
This guide covers black sea bass fishing out of Barnegat Light for anglers running their own boat: where the structure sits, how deep it is, how it is fished and who else works it. Inlet details, ramps and forecasts are on the Barnegat Light port page. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the Atlantic Northeast region guide.
The core ground is Barnegat Light Reef, which locals call "The Tires," about 3 miles due east of the lighthouse in about 45 to 60 ft. Four named wrecks with coordinates sit on it.
When sea bass are around Barnegat Light
Reel Altercation also runs deep-wreck sea bass on offshore trips, covered below. Seasonal movement and biology are in the black sea bass species guide.
Where boats run out of Barnegat Light
Boats work four kinds of ground, listed here in run order:
- The reef
- Inshore wrecks and inlet rocks
- The Garden State reefs
- Deep wrecks on the run home from tuna trips
Barnegat Light Reef ("The Tires")
The reef sits about 3 miles due east of the Barnegat Light lighthouse in about 45 to 60 ft. Boats drift it, and the Barnegat Light Reef hot spot page treats it as a named ground for sea bass.
Inshore wrecks and inlet rocks
Boats also fish inshore wrecks and reefs. The Barnegat Inlet jetty and rocks sit at Barnegat Light State Park, right at the inlet. Atlantic Princess is named structure near the port.
Garden State reefs
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom names the Garden State North and South reefs as grounds for this fishery.
Deep wrecks after tuna
Reel Altercation fishes deep-water wrecks for sea bass on the way home from tuna trips, which suits a boat that is already offshore.
Named structure on Barnegat Light Reef
Four named wrecks sit on the reef. Plot them from the coordinates below.
| Structure | What it is | Year | Depth (ft) | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tibor | 45 ft tug | 2023 | 50 to 60 (reef range) | 39 45.792 N / 74 01.191 W |
| Tuna Sub | Barge sponsored by Forked River Tuna Club | 2002 | 50 to 60 (reef range) | 39 45.973 N / 74 01.459 W |
| Towboat #9 | Former USCG patrol boat | 1995 | 50 to 60 (reef range) | 39 45.127 N / 74 01.297 W |
| Antares | 41 ft sailboat | 1996 | 50 to 60 (reef range) | 39 45.067 N / 74 01.892 W |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Chart layers and coordinates here are for finding fish, not for navigation. Use official charts. The coordinates mark sunk structure on a permit-area reef. Structure shifts and settles, so treat each position as a starting point for your sounder.
Tibor
A 45 ft tug sunk in 2023, the newest named structure on the reef.
Tuna Sub
A barge sponsored by the Forked River Tuna Club in 2002.
Towboat #9
A former USCG patrol boat, sunk in 1995.
Antares
A 41 ft sailboat, sunk in 1996. Its position is also on the Antares reef site listing.
How sea bass are fished here
Local boats drift the reef, fish bank sinkers on 20 lb outfits, and use bait or jigs.
Drifting
Boats drift over the reef and do not anchor.
Sinkers and outfits
Local boats use 2 to 6 oz bank sinkers on 20 lb outfits. At about 45 to 60 ft on a drift, that range covers holding bottom. General bottom and reef technique is in the reef fish guides.
Bait and jigs
Both bait and jigs are used. The baits are clams and squid. What to bring:
- 2 to 6 oz bank sinkers
- 20 lb outfits
- Clams
- Squid
- Jigs
Who fishes for them out of Barnegat Light
These local charters list black sea bass:
- Miss Barnegat Light: boat name only. The site has an About Captain John Larson page.
- Reel Altercation Sport Fishing: Captain Rob Alter, per the operator’s site. Runs deep-wreck sea bass on offshore trips.
- LBI Sportfishing: no captain named.
- Reel Reaction Sportfishing: Capt. Brett Taylor signs Reel Reaction’s reports.
- Laura Sport Fishing: Captain Mark Finelli, per the directory listing.
- Branarchy Sportfishing: Capt. Frank is named in a customer review on the listing.
FAQ about black sea bass fishing out of Barnegat Light
How far is Barnegat Light Reef from the inlet?
About 3 miles due east of the Barnegat Light lighthouse.
How deep is Barnegat Light Reef?
About 45 to 60 ft. The named wrecks sit in the 50 to 60 ft reef range.
What are the Tibor coordinates?
39 45.792 N / 74 01.191 W. It is a 45 ft tug sunk in 2023. Coordinates are for finding fish, not for navigation.
Do you anchor or drift on the reef?
Boats drift over the reef and do not anchor.
What sinker weight do you need?
2 to 6 oz bank sinkers on 20 lb outfits, with clams, squid or jigs.
Which charters run black sea bass?
Miss Barnegat Light, Reel Altercation Sport Fishing, LBI Sportfishing, Reel Reaction Sportfishing, Laura Sport Fishing and Branarchy Sportfishing all list black sea bass fishing out of Barnegat Light. Reel Altercation also fishes deep wrecks on offshore trips.
