White marlin season out of Beach Haven
White marlin fishing out of Beach Haven means August and a canyon run. Boats leave Long Beach Island and run offshore to canyon grounds from Hudson Canyon to Wilmington Canyon, per Captain Dave’s. The Beach Haven port page carries the inlet, ramp and official forecast.
This guide covers the run, the charted structure off the inlet, how the fish are fished, and who fishes for them.
August
The season here is August, and the Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational is usually held that month. For general species behavior and tackle, see the white marlin species guide.
Where Beach Haven boats run
Little Egg Inlet is the way out. The canyons are where the boats are headed.
Hudson to Wilmington canyons
Beach Haven boats run to the canyon grounds between Hudson Canyon to the north and Wilmington Canyon to the south, per Captain Dave’s charter reports. For the wider canyon picture, see the Northeast white marlin regional guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
That leaves a lot of water between the two endpoints:
- North end: Hudson Canyon
- South end: Wilmington Canyon
- Between: the canyon grounds that Beach Haven boats work for white marlin
Charted structure near Beach Haven
The table lists the named reefs and wrecks off the inlet, with the wrecks grouped under their parent reef.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Little Egg Inlet Reef (Little Egg Reef) | 50 | Off Little Egg Inlet |
| Jessie C (crew boat) | Within Little Egg Reef | |
| Garden State South Reef | 55 to 65 | 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach |
| Rhino (crew boat) | 65 | Within Garden State South Reef |
| Ocean Wreck Divers I (USCG 44-foot patrol boat) | 60 | Within Garden State South Reef |
| VHFC patrol boat | 80 | Within Garden State South Reef |
| Triple Wrecks | ||
| Mud Hole |
Chart Contours shows the bottom around these reefs for planning. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Little Egg Inlet Reef
Little Egg Inlet Reef sits in 50 ft, off Little Egg Inlet. The Jessie C, a crew boat, lies within Little Egg Reef.
Garden State South Reef
Garden State South Reef lies 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach in 55 to 65 ft. Its wrecks:
- Rhino (crew boat): 65 ft
- Ocean Wreck Divers I (USCG 44-foot patrol boat): 60 ft
- VHFC patrol boat: 80 ft
Triple Wrecks and Mud Hole
Triple Wrecks and Mud Hole are both named local structure.
How white marlin are fished and who fishes for them
Local boats troll the offshore spread, and two charters list white marlin out of Beach Haven.
Trolling the offshore spread
The local method is trolling the offshore spread.
Local charters
The Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association lists both boats. Captain Dave’s Beach Haven – LBI Fishing Charters also lists the Benita J.
- Benita J: Capt. Dave Wittenborn
- Miss Beach Haven: Capt. Steve Palmer
Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational and the Dock Road scale
The Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational is the local tournament for white marlin, usually held in August. Tournament fish are weighed at the Dock Road scale. The event has an official Invitational site.
FAQ: white marlin fishing out of Beach Haven
When is the white marlin season out of Beach Haven?
August. The Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational is usually held in August.
How far do Beach Haven boats run for white marlin?
To the canyon grounds from Hudson to Wilmington, per Captain Dave’s.
What is the closest charted structure to the inlet?
Little Egg Inlet Reef, 50 ft, off Little Egg Inlet. Garden State South Reef sits 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach at 55 to 65 ft.
Where are tournament fish weighed?
At the Dock Road scale.
Which charters list white marlin out of Beach Haven?
Benita J (Capt. Dave Wittenborn) is listed by the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association and Captain Dave’s. Miss Beach Haven (Capt. Steve Palmer) is listed by the association. For other billfish, see the billfish guides.
