When bigeye are off Ocean City
Bigeye tuna fishing out of Ocean City, New Jersey is a canyon trip. Mod Squad lists bigeye under its Offshore category, which includes canyon trips, and the canyons sit about 70 miles out.
Timing and biology are covered in our bigeye tuna guide, and the regional seasonal picture is in bigeye in the Atlantic Northeast (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
This page covers the run, the named structure along it, how local boats fish, and who runs it.
The run from Ocean City to the canyons
The structure on the way out marks waypoints rather than bigeye grounds. Leaving the inlet, you meet it in this order:
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Distance as given |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean City Reef | 55–70 | 4.5 nm off Ocean City |
| Great Egg Reef | 50–70 | 7.2 nm off Atlantic City |
| 28 Mile Wreck (the Varanger) | not listed | roughly 28 miles from Ocean City (per its name) |
| Offshore canyons | not listed | about 70 miles out |
About 70 miles to the canyons
The FishingBooker guide puts the canyons at about 70 miles out. Plan range and fuel around that number, out and back.
Read the official marine forecast as numbers (wind, wave height, period) before committing to the run.
Ocean City Reef
Ocean City Reef is 55–70 ft deep and 4.5 nautical miles off Ocean City. It is the first named structure on the way out.
- Libra: a hopper scow on Ocean City Reef.
- Barges: Njscuba lists four on the reef: Sulzer, Ohio, AC Wescoat 2 and Shamrock.
Great Egg Reef
Great Egg Reef is 50–70 ft deep. Njscuba puts it 7.2 nautical miles off Atlantic City.
28 Mile Wreck (the Varanger)
The Varanger is named for roughly how far it sits from Ocean City, which puts it on the line between the inshore reefs and the canyons.
Before leaving the inlet, check the structure along the route on Chart Contours and the water on OBS SST. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How bigeye are fished from this port
Mod Squad offers four methods:
- Trolling
- Jigging
- Popping
- Bottom techniques
Rigging and tackle for each method are in our tuna fishing guides.
Who fishes for bigeye out of Ocean City
Mod Squad Charters is an Ocean City, NJ tuna charter that lists bigeye. Captain Syd Unsworth runs it on a 29-foot Triton center console, the size of boat this port’s charter fleet points to for the canyon run. The charter fishes the four methods above.
FAQ: bigeye tuna fishing out of Ocean City
How far is the run from Ocean City, NJ to the canyons?
About 70 miles, per the FishingBooker guide. Plan range and fuel around that number, out and back.
What structure is on the way out?
In order: Ocean City Reef (55–70 ft, 4.5 nm), Great Egg Reef (50–70 ft, 7.2 nm off Atlantic City), then the 28 Mile Wreck, the Varanger.
What methods do local boats use?
Trolling, jigging, popping and bottom techniques, as listed by Mod Squad.
Which local charter lists bigeye?
Mod Squad Charters. Captain Syd Unsworth runs a 29-foot Triton center console, and bigeye sits under the Offshore category, which includes canyon trips.
Where are the rules for bigeye from Ocean City?
On the New Jersey regulations page and the federal Atlantic tunas page. Check both before fishing.
