Mahi-mahi fishing out of Barnegat Light runs July through September, with the fish 30 to 60 miles offshore on floating debris and weed lines. Boats that fish the Long Beach Island coast also work pots on the run home from the canyon. For how mahi behave and feed, see our mahi-mahi guide.
When mahi are around Barnegat Light
Reel Altercation puts mahi at their most abundant July through September. That window overlaps the summer canyon trips that leave this port, which is why the run home matters as much as the run out.
Plan around those three months. For regional timing and water, see the broader Northeast mahi picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
How far boats run from Barnegat Inlet
Boats running for mahi from Barnegat Inlet work 30 to 60 miles out, and as far as 70. Distance depends on where the debris and weed lines sit; there is no fixed ground.
| Range | What boats work there | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 30 to 60 miles | Floating debris and weed lines | Reel Altercation |
| 50 to 70 miles | Mahi reported in this band | Hi Flier |
| On the way home from the canyon | Pot hopping | Branarchy-style and Miss Barnegat Light trips |
Debris and weed lines, 30 to 60 miles
Reel Altercation puts the fish 30 to 60 miles offshore around floating debris and weed lines. Run the lines and stop on anything floating.
The 50 to 70 mile range
Hi Flier’s reports, signed by Dave DeGennaro, put mahi in the 50 to 70 mile range. This is the outer band, past the 30 to 60 mile range above.
Pot hopping on the run home from the canyon
Pot hopping means working the buoys of pot gear for mahi holding under them. Branarchy-style and Miss Barnegat Light trips do it on the way home from the canyon, so the return leg is part of the trip.
Grounds and structure off Barnegat Inlet
Barnegat Light Reef, which locals call The Tires, sits in 45 to 60 ft about 3 miles due east of the Barnegat Light lighthouse. It is the named structure you pass on the way out of the inlet.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnegat Light Reef ("The Tires") | 45 to 60 | About 3 miles due east of the Barnegat Light lighthouse | Reef site holding the wrecks below |
| Tibor | 50 to 60 (reef range) | 39 45.792 N / 74 01.191 W | 45 ft tug, sunk in 2023 |
| Tuna Sub | 50 to 60 (reef range) | 39 45.973 N / 74 01.459 W | Barge sponsored by Forked River Tuna Club, 2002 |
| Towboat #9 | 50 to 60 (reef range) | 39 45.127 N / 74 01.297 W | Former USCG patrol boat, 1995 |
| Antares | 50 to 60 (reef range) | 39 45.067 N / 74 01.892 W | 41 ft sailboat, 1996 |
| Barnegat Inlet jetty and rocks | At the inlet, Barnegat Light State Park | Inlet structure |
The Garden State North and South reefs and the Atlantic Princess are also named structure near the port.
The reef coordinates plot on Chart Contours. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How mahi are fished here
Locals fish mahi four ways, often switching between them on the same trip.
Pot hopping
Work pot buoys one at a time. Look for mahi holding under them before you cast.
Sight casting small bucktails
Cast small bucktails to fish you can see at pots, debris or weed lines. Keep the lure small and the cast short.
Soft plastics and cut bait
Soft plastics and cut bait are both used locally on schooling fish. Switch between them if the school goes quiet on one.
Keeping the first fish in the water
Leave the first hooked fish in the water to hold the school, then work the rest of the fish around it.
Who fishes mahi from Barnegat Light
These boats list mahi-mahi fishing out of Barnegat Light among their trips:
- Miss Barnegat Light offshore trips: Boat name only. Pot hops on canyon trips.
- Reel Altercation’s Barnegat Light species: Captain Rob Alter. Source of the July through September window and the 30 to 60 mile range.
- Hi Flier Sportfishing: Reports signed by Dave DeGennaro cover the 50 to 70 mile range.
- Captain Dave’s Charters: Runs the Benita J.
- LBI Sportfishing out of Barnegat Light: Lists mahi-mahi.
- Branarchy Sportfishing: Pot hops on the run home from the canyon.
Canyon days bring other offshore gamefish on the same trips, tuna among them.
FAQ for mahi-mahi fishing out of Barnegat Light
When are mahi around Barnegat Light?
July through September is the peak, per Reel Altercation.
How far do boats run for mahi from Barnegat Light?
30 to 60 miles to debris and weed lines, per Reel Altercation. Hi Flier’s reports also put mahi in the 50 to 70 mile range.
What is pot hopping?
Pot hopping means working the buoys of pot gear for mahi holding under them. Branarchy-style and Miss Barnegat Light trips do it on the way home from the canyon.
Where are the Barnegat Light Reef wrecks?
Barnegat Light Reef sits about 3 miles due east of the lighthouse in 45 to 60 ft. Tibor is at 39 45.792 N / 74 01.191 W, Tuna Sub at 39 45.973 N / 74 01.459 W, Towboat #9 at 39 45.127 N / 74 01.297 W, and Antares at 39 45.067 N / 74 01.892 W.
Which local boats target mahi?
Miss Barnegat Light, Reel Altercation Sport Fishing, Hi Flier Sportfishing, Captain Dave’s Charters, LBI Sportfishing and Branarchy Sportfishing all list mahi.
Where are the mahi rules?
The state and federal pages in the Regulations section above carry them. Check both before you fish.
