Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Sea Isle City starts at Townsends Inlet and runs offshore, to mid-shore grounds within 50 miles and on to the canyons. This guide is for anglers running their own boat: distances, depths, named structure, local methods and the operators who fish here.
When yellowfin are off Sea Isle City
Yellowfin are an offshore and mid-shore fish here. They aren’t an inshore reef fish. The local yellowfin trips listed from this coast run within 50 miles or out to the offshore canyons, so plan the run by distance first.
The Sea Isle City port page covers access, ramps and conditions. The species guide explains how yellowfin move through the year. Timing shifts with the water, so check offshore conditions before every run.
- Near reefs: a few nautical miles from the inlet
- Mid-shore grounds: within 50 miles
- Canyons: the longest run
How far boats run from Townsends Inlet
Boats from Townsends Inlet fish two bands for yellowfin: mid-shore grounds and the offshore canyons. The Atlantic Northeast yellowfin guide (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide) has the wider canyon and regional picture.
Before any run, read the official marine forecast and offshore buoy data for wind, wave height and period, and go by those numbers.
Mid-shore, within 50 miles
Philly Hooker’s listed mid-shore trip is a 12-hour tuna day that runs within 50 miles. It uses a 29.5 ft Worldcat center console, the same class of boat many owners run out of this inlet.
The canyons
Over Under reports describe runs to the offshore canyons. Spencer Canyon and Lindenkohl Canyon are the two named in the next section.
Grounds and structure off Sea Isle City
These are the named waypoints in run order, from the near reef out to the canyons.
| Name | Type | Distance/location | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Townsends Inlet Artificial Reef | Reef | 3.8 nm SE of the inlet | |
| Fisherman’s Dream | Wreck on the reef | 60 ft | |
| Jill Adventure | Wreck on the reef | 60 ft | |
| Bay Jack | Wreck on the reef | 60 ft | |
| Ocean City Reef | Reef | N side of the reef | |
| Miss Avalon grounds | Reef and wreck grounds | 20–35 mi | 100–175 ft |
| Spencer Canyon | Canyon | ||
| Lindenkohl Canyon | Canyon |
Use Chart Contours to read the reef footprint and canyon edges, and OBS SST for surface temperature over that structure. Chart contours show the footprint of the structure, not where fish sit on a given day. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Townsends Inlet Artificial Reef and its wrecks
Townsends Inlet Artificial Reef sits about 3.8 nautical miles southeast of Townsends Inlet, the first named structure on the run out from Sea Isle City. Three wrecks lie on it at 60 ft each: Fisherman’s Dream (trawler), Jill Adventure (trawler) and Bay Jack (tugboat). Ocean City Reef sits next to it on the north side.
Miss Avalon deep-water grounds
The Miss Avalon deep-water reef and wreck grounds lie 20 to 35 miles offshore, in 100 to 175 ft of water, inside the within-50-mile band.
Spencer and Lindenkohl canyons
Spencer Canyon and Lindenkohl Canyon are the canyon names tied to this coast. Lindenkohl is named among canyons reached from Avalon. Both connect to the Over Under canyon reports.
How yellowfin are fished locally
Philly Hooker’s listed 12-hour mid-shore tuna trip, which runs within 50 miles, is the local source for methods. It lists four: trolling, chunking, casting and live baiting.
Trolling
Trolling is listed first for the mid-shore trip. Our tuna guides cover rigging and spreads.
Chunking
Chunking is listed for the same trip, one of the four methods on the boat’s mid-shore day.
Casting
Casting is listed alongside trolling, chunking and live baiting.
Live baiting
Live baiting is the fourth method Philly Hooker lists for the day.
Who fishes for yellowfin out of Sea Isle City
Two operators list yellowfin tuna fishing out of Sea Isle City and nearby Avalon.
Philly Hooker Fishing Charter
Philly Hooker Fishing Charter is run by Capt. Mark Guldin on a 29.5 ft Worldcat center console. Its 12-hour mid-shore tuna trip runs within 50 miles, with trolling, chunking, casting and live baiting listed.
Avalon Fishing Charters (Over Under)
Avalon Fishing Charters is operated by Over Under. Its reports describe runs to the offshore canyons.
FAQ about yellowfin tuna fishing out of Sea Isle City
How far do boats run for yellowfin from Sea Isle City?
Philly Hooker’s listed mid-shore trip runs within 50 miles. Over Under reports describe runs to the offshore canyons.
What is the nearest named reef to Townsends Inlet?
Townsends Inlet Artificial Reef, about 3.8 nautical miles southeast of the inlet. Three wrecks sit on it at 60 ft, and Ocean City Reef lies on its north side.
How deep are the Miss Avalon grounds?
The Miss Avalon grounds lie in 100 to 175 ft of water, 20 to 35 miles offshore.
Which canyons are reached from here?
Spencer Canyon and Lindenkohl Canyon. Lindenkohl is named among canyons reached from Avalon.
What methods are used for yellowfin locally?
Trolling, chunking, casting and live baiting, as listed for Philly Hooker’s 12-hour mid-shore trip.
Who runs yellowfin charters out of Sea Isle City?
Philly Hooker Fishing Charter, with Capt. Mark Guldin on a 29.5 ft Worldcat center console. Avalon Fishing Charters is operated by Over Under.
