When white marlin are off Cape May
White marlin fishing out of Cape May runs June through September, according to JP Charters. This briefing covers when the fish are here, how far boats run, what holds them, how they’re fished and who is out there, so you can pick a window, pick a canyon and know the depth band to troll. For the inlet, marinas and conditions, see Cape May.
For why white marlin show up when they do, see our white marlin guide.
The June to September season
JP Charters puts the white marlin season at June through September. Use that as the outer frame when you book slips and block out trip days.
The August to September trolling window
Saltwater Pros names August to September as the main trolling window. If you can commit only a few canyon days, those two months are where the operators point.
Where Cape May boats run for white marlin
Cape May boats run to the canyon walls and edges. Baltimore Canyon is about 65 miles out, so plan fuel for 65 miles each way plus trolling time on the edge. The edge is the target, and the deep middle is skipped. These canyons belong to a wider fishery, covered in the regional picture (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
| Canyon | Distance from Cape May | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Canyon | About 65 miles (Saltwater Pros) | Historically the most productive white marlin ground from Cape May (Saltwater Pros) |
| Wilmington Canyon | Canyon edge ground | |
| Poorman’s Canyon | Canyon edge ground | |
| Spencer Canyon | Canyon edge ground |
Baltimore Canyon
Baltimore Canyon is about 65 miles out, per Saltwater Pros, which calls it historically the most productive white marlin ground from Cape May. Budget fuel for the run out, the run back and the hours spent trolling the edge.
Wilmington, Poorman’s and Spencer canyons
Wilmington Canyon, Poorman’s Canyon and Spencer Canyon are the other named canyon grounds in Cape May’s offshore range. All three are fished along their edges.
Working the 100 to 600 ft edge
JP Charters puts white marlin in a 100 to 600 ft zone along canyon edges. Troll the band where the bottom climbs out of the canyon and skip the deep middle. In Breakpoint, the Chart Contours layer shows where the 100 and 600 ft contours bend around each canyon head. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Structure between the inlet and the canyons
Two features sit between the dock and the canyons. Both are reference points on the run and neither holds marlin.
Cape May Artificial Reef, about 8.5 nm out
The Cape May Artificial Reef sits about 8.5 nautical miles off Cape May and is a known waypoint on the way offshore.
Cape May Rips
The Cape May Rips run to about 30 ft and are made up of 8 shoals:
- Eph
- Prissy Wicks
- Somer
- North
- Gunmount
- Round
- Overfalls
- Middle
For inlet and approach detail, read the U.S. Coast Pilot 3 chapter. Pull the wind and wave numbers from the NWS Mount Holly coastal forecast before you run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How white marlin are fished out of Cape May
The local method is trolling ballyhoo along the canyon edges. For spreads and rigging beyond that, see our billfish trolling pages.
Trolling ballyhoo
Boats troll ballyhoo along the canyon edges inside the 100 to 600 ft band.
Waiting for the eat after the bill slash
JP Charters advises waiting for the fish to eat after the bill slashes the bait. The slash is not the bite, so don’t strike on it.
Who fishes white marlin out of Cape May
Charters and tournaments make up most of the white marlin effort from this port.
Charters
Three operators list white marlin out of Cape May:
- Common Sense Sportfishing charters: lists white marlin.
- JP Charters: lists white marlin, on a boat with twin 350 hp Mercury engines and a 6-guest capacity.
- Captain Mark, Captain Experiences: a 16-hour canyon trip. Captain Mark has 56 years of experience.
A canyon charter is one way to see the run before you take your own boat.
Tournaments
Three events run out of Cape May:
- Cape May Marlin Tournament: usually July
- South Jersey Yacht Sales Offshore Showdown: usually July
- The MidAtlantic: usually August
FAQ: white marlin fishing out of Cape May
What are the best months for white marlin fishing out of Cape May?
June through September, per JP Charters. Saltwater Pros names August to September as the main trolling window.
How far is Baltimore Canyon from Cape May?
About 65 miles, per Saltwater Pros, which calls it historically the most productive white marlin ground from the port.
What depth holds white marlin off Cape May?
JP Charters puts them in a 100 to 600 ft zone along canyon edges.
What bait do Cape May boats troll?
Ballyhoo. JP Charters advises waiting for the fish to eat after the bill slash.
Which white marlin tournaments run out of Cape May?
The Cape May Marlin Tournament and the South Jersey Yacht Sales Offshore Showdown, usually July, and The MidAtlantic, usually August.
