When bigeye are around Sea Isle City
Bigeye tuna fishing out of Sea Isle City is a late-fall canyon fishery. Boats reach it through Townsends Inlet on the Cape May County coast. If you’re planning a run from the port, settle the calendar first and the weather second.
Late fall
A Sea Isle Bait and Tackle report from a November week ties bigeye to late fall. For the species across its wider range, see our guide to bigeye tuna. For this port, the window is late fall, fished in canyon water.
October odds
Philly Hooker rates October bigeye odds as poor, which pushes the calendar past October and into late fall.
Running to the canyons from Townsends Inlet
Boats run from Townsends Inlet to the offshore canyons. For a center console, the decision starts with the weather window.
Waiting on a weather break
The Sea Isle Bait and Tackle report says "trips sailed to canyons from Townsend’s Inlet during a break in weather." Late-fall canyon trips depend on those breaks. Before committing to a run, check wind, wave height and period against the official marine forecast.
Spencer and Lindenkohl canyons
Two canyons are named:
- Spencer Canyon is a named canyon ground reached from this coast.
- Lindenkohl Canyon is named among the canyons reached from Avalon.
Grounds and structure between the inlet and the canyons
The table lists structure in order from the inlet seaward. These are landmarks on the way out; bigeye catches from this port are tied to the canyons, not to these grounds.
| Name | Type | Depth | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Townsends Inlet Artificial Reef | reef | about 3.8 nm southeast of Townsends Inlet | |
| Fisherman’s Dream | trawler on Townsends Inlet Reef | 60 ft | |
| Jill Adventure | trawler on Townsends Inlet Reef | 60 ft | |
| Bay Jack | tugboat on Townsends Inlet Reef | 60 ft | |
| Ocean City Reef | reef | adjacent to Townsends Inlet Reef on its north side | |
| Miss Avalon deep-water grounds | reef and wreck grounds | 100 to 175 ft | 20 to 35 miles offshore |
| Spencer Canyon | canyon | ||
| Lindenkohl Canyon | canyon | named among canyons reached from Avalon |
Townsends Inlet Reef wrecks
Townsends Inlet Artificial Reef sits about 3.8 nm southeast of the inlet and is the first named structure outside it. Fisherman’s Dream and Jill Adventure are trawlers on the reef, and Bay Jack is a tugboat. All 3 wrecks sit in 60 ft.
Ocean City Reef
Ocean City Reef lies adjacent to Townsends Inlet Reef on its north side.
Miss Avalon deep-water grounds
These reef and wreck grounds sit 20 to 35 miles offshore, in 100 to 175 ft of water. They are the deepest named reference before the canyons.
How bigeye are fished from this port
The Sea Isle Bait and Tackle report ties the bigeye catch to canyon trips. Canyon tactics for the region are in our regional bigeye guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide).
Charters that list bigeye
Two operators list bigeye tuna:
- Philly Hooker Fishing Charter is run by Captain Mark Guldin on a 29.5 ft Worldcat center console, a useful size comparison for your own rig.
- Avalon Fishing Charters by Over Under is operated by Over Under.
Other tuna species off this coast are covered in our tuna fishing guides.
FAQ about bigeye out of Sea Isle City
When is the bigeye season out of Sea Isle City?
Late fall, according to a Sea Isle Bait and Tackle report from a November week. Philly Hooker rates October bigeye odds as poor, so plan around the late-fall window rather than early fall.
Which inlet do boats use?
Boats use Townsends Inlet. The Sea Isle Bait and Tackle report describes canyon trips sailing from the inlet during a break in the weather.
Which canyons do boats run to?
Boats run to the offshore canyons. Spencer Canyon is named as a canyon ground reached from this coast, and Lindenkohl Canyon is named among the canyons reached from Avalon. Check the official marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before any run.
Do the inshore reefs hold bigeye?
Bigeye catches from this port are tied to canyon trips. The inshore structure serves as reference on the way out. Townsends Inlet Reef sits about 3.8 nm southeast of the inlet, with wrecks in 60 ft. The Miss Avalon grounds sit 20 to 35 miles offshore in 100 to 175 ft.
Who runs charters for bigeye?
Philly Hooker Fishing Charter, run by Captain Mark Guldin on a 29.5 ft Worldcat center console, lists bigeye tuna. Avalon Fishing Charters, operated by Over Under, also lists bigeye tuna.
