When yellowfin are off Belmar
Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Belmar runs June to September, and the fish are in the offshore canyons. Boats leave through Shark River Inlet. The Belmar port page covers the harbor itself.
The run east crosses named reefs, wrecks and a deep hole before it reaches the canyons, and each is laid out below. The species picture, from biology to range, is in our yellowfin tuna guide. This page covers the port only.
Where Belmar boats run
From Shark River Inlet, boats pass the Sea Girt Reef and the Klondike, the Shark River Reef and the Stolt Dagali, and the wrecks of the Mud Hole before reaching the offshore canyons. For the wider regional picture, see the Atlantic Northeast yellowfin guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
| Name | Depth (ft) | Location/relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Girt Reef | 60 to 75 | 3.6 nautical miles off Sea Girt; sits atop the Klondike |
| Klondike | Underwater ridge under the Sea Girt Reef | |
| Shark River Reef | 125 | 15.6 nautical miles off Manasquan |
| Stolt Dagali | 130 | Wreck near the Shark River Reef, close to the Mud Hole edge |
| Mud Hole | 240 | |
| Arundo Wreck | 90 to 150 | Eastern end of the Mud Hole |
| Oil Wreck (Ayuruoca) | 170 | In the Mud Hole area |
| IP Goulandris | 190 | Midway through the Mud Hole |
Breakpoint chart layers show where this structure sits, but they are not for navigation. Run on official NOAA charts.
Sea Girt Reef and the Klondike
The Sea Girt Reef sits in 60 to 75 ft, 3.6 nautical miles off Sea Girt, on top of the Klondike, an underwater ridge. It is the nearest named structure on the way out.
Shark River Reef and the Stolt Dagali
The Shark River Reef sits in 125 ft, 15.6 nautical miles off Manasquan. The Stolt Dagali lies in 130 ft near the reef, close to the Mud Hole edge, where the run reaches the deep water of the Mud Hole.
The Mud Hole and its wrecks
The Mud Hole bottoms at 240 ft. Three wrecks mark it:
- Arundo: 90 to 150 ft, at the eastern end.
- Oil Wreck (Ayuruoca): 170 ft, in the Mud Hole area.
- IP Goulandris: 190 ft, midway through.
The offshore canyons
Out of this port, yellowfin are found in the canyons from June to September. Local boats fish them with the methods below.
How yellowfin are fished here
Local boats fish yellowfin three ways: trolling, chunking, and jigging or popping when fish are on the surface. Rigging and technique detail is in our tuna fishing guides.
Trolling bars and skirted baits
The troll spread runs spreader bars and skirted baits, which lets boats cover water while looking for fish.
Chunking butterfish or sardines
Chunking uses butterfish or sardines as bait. Boats use it on fish that hold in the spread or come up on a trail.
Jigging and popping surface fish
Boats switch to jigging and popping when fish show on the surface.
Who fishes yellowfin out of Belmar
Four charters out of Belmar list yellowfin tuna.
| Operator | Captain/vessel | Link |
|---|---|---|
| XTC Sportfishing | Captain Scott Kulaszewski | XTC Sportfishing tuna charters |
| Fin-ominal Charters | Capt. Jared; 55-foot Custom Carman and 101-foot Custom Sport Yacht | Fin-ominal Belmar tuna charters |
| Canyon Eagle Fishing Charters | Canyon Eagle I, 42-foot Bertram, six guests | Canyon Eagle tuna trip listing |
| Way Overboard Sport Fishing | USCG-certified offshore vessel | Way Overboard tuna fishing page |
A trip on one of these boats shows how the local grounds and methods are run.
FAQ about yellowfin tuna out of Belmar
When is the season for yellowfin tuna fishing out of Belmar?
The season runs June to September, in the offshore canyons. The structure along the run east, from the Sea Girt Reef to the Mud Hole, is covered above.
How deep is the Mud Hole?
The Mud Hole bottoms at 240 ft. The IP Goulandris lies midway through it in 190 ft. The Arundo sits at the eastern end, in 90 to 150 ft.
What baits do Belmar boats use for chunking?
Chunking uses butterfish or sardines. Boats also troll spreader bars and skirted baits, and they jig or pop when fish are on the surface.
Which charters out of Belmar target yellowfin?
XTC Sportfishing, Fin-ominal Charters, Canyon Eagle Fishing Charters and Way Overboard Sport Fishing list yellowfin tuna. Canyon Eagle I is a 42-foot Bertram that carries six guests.
Where do I find the rules?
The state and federal Atlantic tuna rules are covered in the regulations section above. Check both before you fish. This page gives no limits or figures.
