When swordfish are off Atlantic City
Swordfish fishing out of Atlantic City runs year-round, per Jessie James Charters deep dropping, with summer and fall best. This page covers where boats run out of Atlantic City, the depth, the local method, the named structure near port, and who fishes swordfish here. The fish itself is covered in the swordfish guide.
Year-round
Jessie James says the swordfish fishery here runs all year, so there is no closed window to plan around.
Summer and fall
Summer and fall are the best months, per Jessie James. If you run your own boat or plan to bring one to the port, that is the window for a first trip.
Where Atlantic City boats run
Boats run to the deep-water canyons off the coast. The trip is built around one depth, and the limits of the data matter when you plan it.
- Target depth: about 1,000 ft
- Ground: deep-water canyons off the coast
- Condition check: NOAA station ACYN4 (8534720)
- Forecast: NWS offshore forecast
The deep-water canyons
The run goes out to the canyons, past the reef marks near port. The regional picture for the Northeast canyons is on our Atlantic Northeast swordfish page (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
About 1,000 ft down
Swordfish off Atlantic City usually hold 1,000 ft or more down during the day, per Jessie James, which is what makes this a deep-drop fishery.
The 1,000 ft line shows on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Checking conditions at ACYN4
NOAA station ACYN4 (8534720) sits at Atlantic City, NJ, at 39.357 N, 74.418 W. It reads the port rather than the canyon edge, so its numbers describe conditions at the dock and inlet. Check the NWS offshore forecast before you commit to the run.
How swordfish are fished from Atlantic City
Per Jessie James, the local method is deep dropping squid or mackerel baits on heavy tackle during the day, often with glow sticks.
- Depth: about 1,000 ft
- Bait: squid or mackerel
- Tackle: heavy
- Lights: glow sticks
Baits
Squid or mackerel, per Jessie James, both fished on the drop.
Tackle
Jessie James calls for heavy tackle, since the gear has to reach bottom and work a bait at about 1,000 ft.
Lights
Glow sticks are often added to the rig, per Jessie James. The bait sits far below daylight, and a light gives it something to show.
Named structure near Atlantic City
The Atlantic City Reef is a New Jersey artificial reef site 12.2 nautical miles east of Atlantic City. Its listed sites are in the table below.
| Site | Type | Depth (ft) | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City Reef | NJ artificial reef site | 55 | 12.2 nm east of Atlantic City |
| William Kane Reef patch | Caisson gate, inside Atlantic City Reef | 92 | N39 14.080 W74 12.862 |
| Reina Wreck | Tug Tobacco Pointe | Not listed | N39 14.0381 W74 12.5675 |
| Morania Abaco | Tanker | 110 | 39 14.133 N, 74 12.154 W |
| Blue Crown | Freighter | 100 | 39 14.138 N, 74 12.357 W |
| Francis Bushey | Tanker | 100 | 39 14.203 N, 74 12.148 W |
| First Lady | Clam dredge | 100 | 39 13.703 N, 74 12.486 W |
| Vicki-Pat | Clam dredge | 80 | 39 15.255 N, 74 14.818 W |
Reef depth versus swordfish depth
The reef marks run 55 to 110 ft. The daytime fish hold about 1,000 ft or more down, so the reef sits roughly 900 ft shallower. These are named structure near port and are not swordfish ground.
Who fishes for swordfish out of Atlantic City
These local charters list swordfish. If you want to learn the fishery from the people who fish it before running your own boat, an Atlantic City swordfish charter is the place to start.
Jessie James Charters
- Site: jessiejamesfishing.com
- Captain: Mark Schrenk
- Trip length: 16 hours
A 16-hour trip shows how long the day runs when local captains fish it, so plan your own fuel, bait, and daylight around that.
Euphoria Sportfishing
- Site: euphoriasportfishing.com
- Vessel: the 60′ Custom Precision Euphoria
- Capacity: up to 6 guests
- Captain: Ricky Wheeler
Jersey Nutz Sportfishing
- Site: jerseynutzsportfishing.com
- Vessel: a 61′ Blackwell that sails from Atlantic City
FAQ: swordfish fishing out of Atlantic City
How deep are swordfish off Atlantic City during the day?
Usually 1,000 ft or more, per Jessie James, in the deep-water canyons. That depth is why the local fishery is a deep drop.
What bait is used for swordfish from Atlantic City?
Squid or mackerel, deep dropped on heavy tackle and often with glow sticks, per Jessie James.
What are the best months for swordfish out of Atlantic City?
The fishery runs year-round, per Jessie James, and summer and fall are best.
Which NOAA station covers Atlantic City?
ACYN4 (8534720), at 39.357 N, 74.418 W. It reads conditions at the port rather than the canyon edge, so check the NWS offshore forecast for the run.
How long do Atlantic City swordfish charters run?
Jessie James Charters lists a 16-hour trip.
Is swordfish the only billfish target here?
No. The billfish guides cover the wider billfish picture.
