Boats running black sea bass trips out of Beach Haven work the inshore artificial reefs and wrecks off Little Egg Inlet. Little Egg Reef sits at 50 to 60 feet. Garden State South Reef sits at 55 to 65 feet, 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach. The method is bottom fishing. For inlet and port context off southern Long Beach Island, see the Beach Haven port page. This page lists the grounds, depths and boats for this port. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide.
When black sea bass are around Beach Haven
Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association (BHCFA) reports describe reef and wreck action through August and into fall. That is the local pattern for the inshore grounds covered below.
For biology and the general season, see the black sea bass species guide.
Where boats run
Boats run to the inshore New Jersey artificial reefs and wrecks. Two reefs carry most of the local effort.
Little Egg Reef
Little Egg Inlet Reef (Little Egg Reef) lies off Little Egg Inlet at 50 to 60 feet. The Jessie C, a crew boat, sits within the reef.
Garden State South Reef
Garden State South Reef sits at 55 to 65 feet, 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach. Three named wrecks lie within it: Rhino, Ocean Wreck Divers I and the VHFC patrol boat.
Wrecks and named structure
Named grounds near Beach Haven, with depths as listed:
| Site | Depth (ft) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Little Egg Reef | 50 to 60 | Off Little Egg Inlet |
| Jessie C (crew boat) | Within Little Egg Reef | |
| Garden State South Reef | 55 to 65 | 5.1 nm off Spray Beach |
| Rhino (crew boat) | 65 | Within Garden State South Reef |
| Ocean Wreck Divers I | 60 | Within Garden State South Reef |
| VHFC patrol boat | 80 | Within Garden State South Reef |
| Triple Wrecks | ||
| Mud Hole |
Rhino
A crew boat at 65 feet, within Garden State South Reef.
Ocean Wreck Divers I
A USCG 44-foot patrol boat at 60 feet, within Garden State South Reef.
VHFC patrol boat
A patrol boat at 80 feet, within Garden State South Reef.
Jessie C
A crew boat within Little Egg Reef.
Triple Wrecks and Mud Hole
Both are named local grounds near Beach Haven.
The named reefs and wrecks appear on the Chart Contours layer in the Breakpoint app. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How it is fished locally
The local method is bottom fishing on the reefs and wrecks. BHCFA reports describe dropping baits to the bottom on the artificial reefs.
For general bottom-fishing technique, see the reef fish guides.
Who fishes for them out of Beach Haven
Several local boats list black sea bass, which suits anglers who would rather learn the grounds from a captain first.
Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association
BHCFA is the local fleet association whose reports this page cites. Its Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association reports cover the fleet. The Benita J, run by Capt. Dave Wittenborn, lists black sea bass. BHCFA reports also name Capt. Steve Palmer of Miss Beach Haven.
Irish Jig Sportfishing
The Irish Jig 2, a Parker 2520, is captained by Capt. Gary M. Dugan Jr. See Irish Jig Sportfishing charters.
Miss Beach Haven
The Miss Beach Haven is a party boat run by Capt. Steve Palmer. See the Miss Beach Haven party boat.
FAQ about black sea bass fishing out of Beach Haven
When do black sea bass fishing reports from Beach Haven run?
BHCFA reports describe reef and wreck action through August and into fall.
How deep are the reefs off Beach Haven?
Little Egg Reef is 50 to 60 feet. Garden State South Reef is 55 to 65 feet.
How far off the beach is Garden State South Reef?
It is 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach.
Which wrecks sit on Garden State South Reef?
Rhino at 65 feet, Ocean Wreck Divers I at 60 feet and the VHFC patrol boat at 80 feet.
Which Beach Haven boats list black sea bass?
The Benita J (Capt. Dave Wittenborn), the Irish Jig 2 (Capt. Gary M. Dugan Jr.) and the Miss Beach Haven party boat (Capt. Steve Palmer).
