Striped bass fishing out of Barnegat Light centers on a fall run from October through December. Boats leave through Barnegat Inlet for the beaches off Island Beach State Park and for Barnegat Light Reef, about 3 miles due east of the lighthouse. Spring and summer fish are also taken in the bay and at the inlet. Barnegat Light is the departure point for every run below.
When striped bass are here
Operators out of this port fish striped bass mainly in the fall, with a smaller spring and summer window. Start dates vary by operator.
Biology and general behavior are covered in our striped bass species guide, and the coastwide migration is in the Atlantic Northeast striped bass picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
Fall run
Local operators fish striped bass from October through December. Captain Dave’s runs inlet striper trips only from November to early December, so if you are timing a trip around that boat, its window is shorter than the fleet’s.
Spring and summer
Spring and summer fish are also taken in the bay and at the inlet.
| Window | Where fish are taken | Operator note |
|---|---|---|
| October through December | Beaches, reef, inlet | Other operators fish this full window |
| November to early December | Inlet | Captain Dave’s runs inlet striper trips only |
| Spring and summer | Bay and inlet | Inside Barnegat Inlet |
Running out of Barnegat Inlet
Every trip starts through Barnegat Inlet. From there, the water splits into the nearshore beaches to the south and east and the structure inside the inlet and bay.
Island Beach State Park beaches
Captain Dave’s trolls off Island Beach State Park in 30 to 65 ft and stays inside 3 miles. That range is this operator’s trolling grounds and is not a rule for the whole fleet.
Inside the inlet and the bay
The inside water offers three kinds of structure:
- The jetty and inlet rocks at Barnegat Light State Park, at the inlet
- The bay bridges
- The sod banks inside the bay
Grounds and structure
The named structure near Barnegat Light is mostly artificial reef, plus the inlet rocks. The coordinates below and our chart layers are for finding fish and should not be used for navigation.
Barnegat Light Reef (The Tires)
Barnegat Light Reef sits in 45 to 60 ft, about 3 miles due east of the Barnegat Light lighthouse. Locals call it The Tires. The Fisherman’s Barnegat Light Reef hot spot write-up covers the reef as a named fishing ground.
Reef wrecks
All four wrecks below sit on Barnegat Light Reef, in the reef’s 50 to 60 ft range.
| Name | What it is | Year placed | Reef depth | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tibor | 45 ft tug | 2023 | 50 to 60 ft | 39 45.792 N / 74 01.191 W |
| Tuna Sub | Barge sponsored by the Forked River Tuna Club | 2002 | 50 to 60 ft | 39 45.973 N / 74 01.459 W |
| Towboat #9 | Former USCG patrol boat | 1995 | 50 to 60 ft | 39 45.127 N / 74 01.297 W |
| Antares | 41 ft sailboat | 1996 | 50 to 60 ft | 39 45.067 N / 74 01.892 W |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
The 45 ft listed for the Tibor is its length, not its depth.
Barnegat Inlet jetty and rocks
The jetty and inlet rocks at Barnegat Light State Park sit at the inlet, the structure closest to the dock.
Other named structure
Other named structure near Barnegat Light includes:
- Garden State North reef
- Garden State South reef
- The Atlantic Princess
How striped bass are fished here
Five methods cover the local fishing:
- Trolling bunker spoons, umbrella rigs and mojos
- Snagged live bunker on circle hooks
- Live spot
- Party boat jigging
- Topwater plugging
Trolling bunker spoons, umbrella rigs and mojos
These are the local trolling spreads. Captain Dave’s trolling grounds are the 30 to 65 ft water off Island Beach State Park.
Snagged live bunker on circle hooks
Live bunker is snagged and fished on circle hooks as part of the party boat fishing here.
Live spot
Live spot is used locally.
Party boat jigging
Party boat jigging runs 2 to 8 oz jigs. Party boats also fish shads, surface plugs and poppers.
Topwater plugging
Topwater plugging is a local method for striped bass.
Who fishes for striped bass out of Barnegat Light
These local charters list striped bass. Verify trip details on each operator’s own site.
- Miss Barnegat Light: listed on the Miss Barnegat Light site, boat name only.
- Reel Altercation Sport Fishing: Captain Rob Alter, per the operator’s site, at Reel Altercation Sport Fishing.
- LBI Sportfishing: the LBI Sportfishing charter operation.
- Captain Dave’s Charters: the Benita J, at the Captain Dave’s Charters site.
- Reel Reaction Sportfishing: Capt. Brett Taylor signs the reports, at Reel Reaction Sportfishing reports.
- Laura Sport Fishing: Captain Mark Finelli, per a directory listing, at the Laura Sport Fishing site.
FAQ about striped bass fishing out of Barnegat Light
When do striped bass show up at Barnegat Light?
Local operators fish October through December. Captain Dave’s runs inlet trips from November to early December. Spring and summer fish are taken in the bay and at the inlet.
How far do boats run for stripers out of Barnegat Inlet?
Captain Dave’s stays inside 3 miles off Island Beach State Park in 30 to 65 ft. Barnegat Light Reef is about 3 miles due east of the lighthouse.
Where is Barnegat Light Reef?
It sits about 3 miles due east of the lighthouse, in 45 to 60 ft. Locals call it The Tires.
What are the coordinates of the Tibor?
39 45.792 N / 74 01.191 W, on Barnegat Light Reef. It is a 45 ft tug sunk in 2023. These coordinates are not for navigation.
What methods do local boats use?
Boats troll bunker spoons, umbrella rigs and mojos. They also snag live bunker on circle hooks, fish live spot, jig from party boats with 2 to 8 oz jigs and shads, and plug topwater.
What else is fished out of Barnegat Inlet?
See the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
