Black sea bass fishing out of Wildwood splits into two options: Wildwood Reef in early winter, and the deeper wrecks toward Delaware through the fall. The reef sits in 42 to 63 ft of water close to the beach. The deeper wrecks are a 25 to 35 mile run. This page gives the port-level numbers for choosing between them. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide.
Black sea bass season out of Wildwood
The black sea bass species guide covers the general picture. At this port, the calendar breaks down as follows:
- Early winter: Wildwood Reef
- Through the fall: deeper wrecks between Wildwood and Delaware
- Late spring through fall: offshore wrecks, per the operators
Early winter on Wildwood Reef
Early winter is reef season. Wildwood Reef holds fish within reach of shore-based and nearby boats, with no long run required.
Fall on the deeper wrecks
Through the fall, the fishing moves to the deeper wrecks between Wildwood and Delaware. These grounds suit boats with the range to run offshore.
What the operators run
Per the operators, offshore wrecks fish from late spring through fall, a longer window than the reef offers.
How far boats run
Depth and distance both matter, so weigh them against your boat and your fuel.
| Wildwood Reef | Deeper wrecks | |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | 42 to 63 ft | about 90 ft |
| Run | nearby | 25 to 35 miles |
| Timing | early winter | fall |
Wildwood Reef
Wildwood Reef sits at 42 to 63 ft and suits shore-based and nearby boats.
Deeper wrecks toward Delaware
The wrecks between Wildwood and Delaware are a 25 to 35 mile run. Plan fuel and daylight for the distance in both directions.
Starlight Fleet’s range
Starlight Fleet’s offshore trips run 20 to 40 miles for sea bass on 10 hour days, which gives a reference point for how far a working boat goes.
Grounds and structure
Wildwood Reef is an artificial reef with two barges on it. Beyond it, the offshore picture adds a bank and several canyons. For the wider habitat picture, see the reef and wreck fishing guides.
- Pair of Kings tanker barge: northern end of Wildwood Reef
- Michael DePalma barge: Wildwood Reef, 70 ft long
- Five Fathom Bank: near Wildwood
- Wilmington Canyon: 600 ft, about 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey
Pair of Kings tanker barge
The Pair of Kings tanker barge sits on the northern end of Wildwood Reef, where depths run 42 to 63 ft.
Michael DePalma barge
The Michael DePalma barge is 70 ft long and sits on Wildwood Reef. The 70 ft is its length, not the depth it sits in.
Five Fathom Bank
Five Fathom Bank is a named ground near Wildwood.
The canyons
The canyons frame the offshore picture off southern New Jersey but are not sea bass grounds.
- Wilmington Canyon: 600 ft, about 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey
- Spencer Canyon: named ground in the same offshore picture
- Lindenkohl Canyon and Carteret Canyon: Over Under reaches both from Avalon
Chart layers are not for navigation.
How sea bass are fished here
Clams are the local baseline bait. Green crabs push the catch toward keepers, and jigs and soft plastics draw the larger fish.
Clams
Clam baits work and are the baseline here.
Green crabs
Some reports have green crabs outproducing other baits on keepers.
Jigs and soft plastics
Jigs and soft plastics draw larger keepers.
Depth, about 90 ft
The deeper wrecks fish at about 90 ft. The reef is shallower, at 42 to 63 ft.
Who fishes them from this port
Two operators list sea bass trips here.
- Over Under Charters (Wildwood Fishing) lists black sea bass and reaches Lindenkohl Canyon and Carteret Canyon from Avalon. Site: https://overundercharters.com/
- Starlight Fleet departs from Wildwood Crest and runs 10 hour sea bass trips 20 to 40 miles offshore. Site: https://www.starlightfleetnj.com/
For numbers before you leave the dock, use NOAA CMAN4 (station 8536110) at Cape May, NJ, 38.968 N 74.960 W. It reports wind, wave height and period. The station reads conditions at Cape May, not on grounds 25 to 35 miles out, and a forecast is a forecast. Pair it with the NWS Mount Holly marine forecast.
FAQ: black sea bass fishing out of Wildwood
When is black sea bass fishing out of Wildwood best?
Early winter on Wildwood Reef, and through the fall on the deeper wrecks. Per the operators, offshore wrecks fish from late spring through fall.
How deep is Wildwood Reef?
42 to 63 ft. It holds the Pair of Kings tanker barge on the northern end and the 70 ft Michael DePalma barge.
How far do boats run to the deeper wrecks?
25 to 35 miles, between Wildwood and Delaware, fishing about 90 ft. Starlight Fleet runs 20 to 40 miles on 10 hour trips.
What baits work for keepers?
Clams work. Green crabs outproduce on keepers in some reports. Jigs and soft plastics draw larger keepers.
Where do I check conditions before leaving?
Use NOAA CMAN4, station 8536110, at Cape May. It reports wind, wave height and period. Check the official marine forecast as well.
