Striped bass fishing out of Wildwood is mostly a fall fishery, worked just inside the 3 mile line off Wildwood Reef. This guide covers when the fish are here, where boats run, the structure, the local methods and who fishes the port. For the wider picture of the port, see Wildwood.
When striped bass are off Wildwood
Fall is the strongest run, and a spring migration is noted as well. For migration biology, read the striped bass guide. For coastwide context, see the run along the Atlantic Northeast (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
| Season | Run |
|---|---|
| Fall | Strongest |
| Spring | Migration noted |
The fall run
Fall sets the local pattern for the year, and the port’s striper fishing is organized around it.
The spring migration
A spring migration is also noted, though fall is the stronger of the two.
Where boats run
The usual striper spot is just inside the 3 mile line off Wildwood Reef.
- Primary run: drifts just inside the 3 mile line off Wildwood Reef
- Nearshore option: the North Wildwood jetties
- Conditions station: NOAA CMAN4 at Cape May
Inside the 3 mile line off Wildwood Reef
Drifts happen just inside the 3 mile line, which is where most striper fishing here takes place.
North Wildwood jetties
The North Wildwood jetties are also named as a place boats work for stripers.
Reading conditions at CMAN4
The nearest NOAA station is CMAN4 (station 8536110), Cape May, NJ, at 38.968 N 74.960 W. Check its wind and water readings before the run, and keep in mind that a buoy reports a single point, not conditions across the whole run. For the outlook, use the official NWS marine forecast.
Grounds and structure
The named structure runs from the reef out to the canyons. Blank cells mean no figure is published for that ground.
| Ground | Depth or size | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Wildwood Reef | 42 ft | |
| Pair of Kings tanker barge | Northern end of Wildwood Reef | |
| Michael DePalma barge | 70 ft barge | On Wildwood Reef |
| Five Fathom Bank | ||
| Wilmington Canyon | 600 ft | About 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey |
| Spencer Canyon | ||
| Lindenkohl Canyon | ||
| Carteret Canyon |
You can mark the reef and both barges on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Wildwood Reef
Wildwood Reef sits in 42 ft and is the base for the local striper drifts just inside the 3 mile line.
Pair of Kings tanker barge
The Pair of Kings tanker barge sits on the northern end of Wildwood Reef.
Michael DePalma barge
The Michael DePalma is a 70 ft barge on Wildwood Reef.
Five Fathom Bank
Five Fathom Bank is a named ground near Wildwood.
The canyons
The canyons are the deep water named off the port. Striper fishing stays tied to the area just inside the 3 mile line.
- Wilmington Canyon: 600 ft, about 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey
- Spencer Canyon: named off the port
- Lindenkohl and Carteret canyons: Over Under Charters reaches them from Avalon
For the canyons, see our offshore gamefish guides.
How stripers are fished here
Three trolled methods and one drift method are used locally.
- Mojo balls: trolled
- Shad bar rigs: trolled
- Bunker spoons: trolled
- Live eels: drifted just inside the 3 mile line
Mojo balls
Mojo balls are trolled for stripers locally.
Shad bar rigs
Shad bar rigs are trolled locally.
Bunker spoons
Bunker spoons are trolled locally.
Live eels on the drift
Live eels are fished on drifts just inside the 3 mile line.
Charters that list striped bass
These boats list striped bass out of this area:
- Over Under Charters (Wildwood Fishing) lists striped bass and reaches Lindenkohl and Carteret canyons from Avalon.
- Tara Anne Sport Fishing lists striped bass.
FAQ: striped bass fishing out of Wildwood
When is the best striper fishing out of Wildwood?
Fishing is strongest on the fall run. A spring migration is also noted.
Where do boats fish for stripers off Wildwood?
Boats drift just inside the 3 mile line off Wildwood Reef, which is the usual spot. The North Wildwood jetties are also named.
What depth is Wildwood Reef?
Wildwood Reef is 42 ft. The Pair of Kings tanker barge sits on its northern end, and the Michael DePalma is a 70 ft barge on the reef.
What methods work locally?
Mojo balls, shad bar rigs and bunker spoons are trolled. Live eels are drifted just inside the 3 mile line.
Which charters fish striped bass out of Wildwood?
Over Under Charters (Wildwood Fishing) and Tara Anne Sport Fishing both list striped bass.
