When yellowfin are off Beach Haven
Yellowfin fishing out of Beach Haven runs June through October. Beach Haven sits on the southern end of Long Beach Island (LBI), and boats leave through Little Egg Inlet. For species biology and migration, see the yellowfin tuna guide. This page covers the port itself.
| Window | Months |
|---|---|
| Season | June through October |
| Months in the window | 5 |
| Tournaments inside the window | June and August |
The season window
The window spans five months: June, July, August, September and October. Boats target yellowfin throughout, from the mid-shore grounds out to the canyons. The window says when to look, and it doesn’t guarantee fish on any given day.
Tournament months as markers
The Beach Haven Tuna Open is usually held in June, and the Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational is usually held in August. Both fall inside the season window and appear again under who fishes here.
How far boats run out of Little Egg Inlet
Boats run from the mid-shore grounds out to the canyons. For the wider regional picture, see yellowfin off the Northeast coast (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
| Stretch of the run | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Near reefs | Little Egg Reef, Garden State South Reef |
| Mid-shore | Triple Wrecks, Mud Hole |
| Outer end | The canyons |
Leaving Little Egg Inlet
Beach Haven boats go out through Little Egg Inlet and pass the near reefs early in the run, Little Egg Reef first and then Garden State South Reef. Check wind speed, wave height and period on the NWS coastal waters forecast ANZ452 before clearing the inlet. The named reefs can be marked as waypoints, but chart layers, including Chart Contours, are not for navigation.
Mid-shore
The mid-shore grounds are the nearer end of the yellowfin range. The Triple Wrecks and the Mud Hole are the named grounds here.
The canyons
The canyons are the outer end of the run and take boats into federal waters.
Grounds and structure near Beach Haven
The charted structure off Beach Haven starts with Little Egg Reef at 50 ft off Little Egg Inlet and Garden State South Reef 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach. Both are known, charted grounds on the way out.
| Ground | Within | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Egg Inlet Reef (Little Egg Reef) | 50 ft | Off Little Egg Inlet | |
| Jessie C (crew boat) | Little Egg Reef | ||
| Garden State South Reef | 55 to 65 ft | 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach | |
| Rhino (crew boat) | Garden State South Reef | 65 ft | |
| Ocean Wreck Divers I (USCG 44-foot patrol boat) | Garden State South Reef | 60 ft | |
| VHFC patrol boat | Garden State South Reef | 80 ft | |
| Triple Wrecks | |||
| Mud Hole |
Little Egg Reef
Little Egg Reef sits at 50 ft off Little Egg Inlet and is the first structure on the way out. The Jessie C crew boat lies within the reef.
Garden State South Reef
Garden State South Reef lies 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach in 55 to 65 ft. Three wrecks sit within it:
- Rhino, a crew boat, at 65 ft
- Ocean Wreck Divers I, a USCG 44-foot patrol boat, at 60 ft
- The VHFC patrol boat, at 80 ft
Triple Wrecks
Triple Wrecks is a named mid-shore ground on the Beach Haven run.
Mud Hole
Mud Hole is a named mid-shore ground on the Beach Haven run.
How yellowfin are fished out of Beach Haven
Local boats troll and chunk for yellowfin. For rigging and method detail, see our tuna fishing guides.
| Method | Role |
|---|---|
| Trolling | Covers water while searching |
| Chunking | Second local method |
Trolling
Trolling covers water while you search across the mid-shore grounds and out toward the canyons.
Chunking
Chunking is the other local method. The tuna guides above cover how it is done.
Who fishes for yellowfin out of Beach Haven
One local charter lists yellowfin, and two Beach Haven tournaments include them.
- Charter: Captain Dave’s Beach Haven – LBI Fishing Charters
- Boat: Benita J
- Captain: Dave Wittenborn
- Tournaments: Beach Haven Tuna Open, Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational
Captain Dave’s and the Benita J
Captain Dave’s Beach Haven charters lists yellowfin tuna under the full name Captain Dave’s Beach Haven – LBI Fishing Charters. The boat is the Benita J, captained by Dave Wittenborn.
Beach Haven Tuna Open and White Marlin Invitational
The Beach Haven Tuna Open is usually held in June, and the Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational is usually held in August. Both include yellowfin.
FAQ: yellowfin tuna out of Beach Haven
When is the yellowfin season off Beach Haven?
The season runs June through October. The Beach Haven Tuna Open (usually June) and the Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational (usually August) fall inside that window.
How far do boats run for yellowfin?
Boats run from the mid-shore grounds out to the canyons, leaving through Little Egg Inlet. The near reefs come early in the run, and the canyons mark the outer end.
Which reefs are closest to Little Egg Inlet?
Little Egg Reef is closest, at 50 ft off Little Egg Inlet. Garden State South Reef follows, 5.1 nautical miles off Spray Beach in 55 to 65 ft. Both are charted structure on the way out.
Do local boats troll or chunk?
Local boats do both. Trolling covers water while you search, and chunking is the second local method.
Is there a local charter that lists yellowfin?
Yes. Captain Dave’s Beach Haven – LBI Fishing Charters lists yellowfin. The boat is the Benita J, captained by Dave Wittenborn.
Which tournaments include yellowfin?
The Beach Haven Tuna Open is usually held in June, and the Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational is usually held in August.
