Wildwood boats run to Wilmington Canyon, about 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey, and May and June are the usual peak there. That run sets the terms of the trip: range, hours, weather window and which canyon you pick. This page covers timing, the run, the grounds, local methods and who fishes for yellowfin tuna from here. General biology and tackle are in the species guide. For yellowfin tuna fishing out of Wildwood, the goal is to help you decide where to look.
When yellowfin are off Wildwood
Timing decides whether the 70 nm run is worth making. The wider seasonal pattern is in the regional picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide) for the Northeast; this section covers what is specific to Wilmington Canyon and the Wildwood fleet.
| Window | What the operators say |
|---|---|
| May and June | Usual peak around Wilmington Canyon |
| Fall | Canyon trips continue per operator pages |
The May and June peak
May and June are the usual prime time around Wilmington Canyon. Local captains troll live ballyhoo around the canyon edges during that window, so build your first canyon run around it.
Fall canyon trips
Operator pages list canyon trips through the fall, so the canyon stays on the schedule if you miss May and June.
How far boats run from Wildwood
The run is the main cost of the trip. Wilmington Canyon is the primary target, and both departure time and hours planned follow from it. For the wider set of species and ports, see the tuna fishing guides.
Wilmington Canyon at 70 nm
Wilmington Canyon sits about 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey. Over Under runs 15 and 22 hour canyon trips, which gives a working measure of how long a canyon day takes.
The numbers to plan around:
- Distance to Wilmington Canyon: about 70 nm
- Depth at the canyon: about 600 ft
- Charter canyon trips: 15 and 22 hours
- Charter inshore-of-the-canyons trip: 12 hours
Spencer, Lindenkohl and Carteret
Spencer Canyon is the other named canyon on the Wildwood list. Over Under reaches Lindenkohl and Carteret from Avalon, not from Wildwood, so leaving from this port they would be longer options.
Reading conditions at CMAN4
The nearest NOAA buoy is CMAN4, station 8536110, at Cape May, 38.968 N 74.960 W. Check its wind, wave height and period before you commit to the run, and read the official NWS marine forecast alongside it. The station describes Cape May, not the canyon 70 nm out, so treat it as a reading rather than a forecast.
Grounds and structure
Depth matters before method. The canyon sits at about 600 ft and the nearshore structure at 42 ft, and they make for different trips.
| Name | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Canyon | 600 ft | About 70 nm off southern NJ |
| Spencer Canyon | – | – |
| Lindenkohl Canyon | – | Over Under reaches it from Avalon |
| Carteret Canyon | – | Over Under reaches it from Avalon |
| Wildwood Reef | 42 ft | – |
| Pair of Kings tanker barge | – | North end of Wildwood Reef |
| Michael DePalma barge | – | 70 ft barge on Wildwood Reef |
| Five Fathom Bank | – | – |
Chart layers are not for navigation. Use your official charts and plotter for the run.
The 100 fathom line
The 100 fathom line is about 600 ft. Charters troll from the flats out to it, which sets up the methods below.
Wildwood Reef and its barges
Wildwood Reef in 42 ft is state artificial reef structure near the port. The Pair of Kings tanker barge sits on its northern end, and the Michael DePalma, a 70 ft barge, sits on the reef itself. Both are named structure near Wildwood and well away from the canyon.
Five Fathom Bank
Five Fathom Bank is a named bank near the port.
How yellowfin are fished here
The methods below are what captains and charters report. For tackle and rigging detail, use the species guide linked above.
Live ballyhoo on canyon edges
Trolling live ballyhoo around the canyon edges is the local method named most often, and it is the starting spread for the Wilmington Canyon run.
Spreader bars and squid chains
Captains also report spreader bars and squid chains.
Trolling the flats
Charters troll the flats out to the 100 fathom line, which is 600 ft. The 12 hour Over Under trip stays inshore of the canyons, so it is the one that covers this part of the water.
Who fishes for yellowfin from Wildwood
Two local charters list yellowfin tuna. The pages we have for Over Under name no captain.
Over Under Charters
Over Under Charters runs three trip lengths: a 12 hour trip inshore of the canyons, and 15 and 22 hour canyon trips. It reaches Lindenkohl and Carteret from Avalon.
Bodacious Sportfishing
Bodacious Sportfishing runs the Bodacious, a 55 ft Custom Carolina with twin diesels.
FAQ: yellowfin out of Wildwood
How far is Wilmington Canyon from Wildwood?
About 70 nautical miles off southern New Jersey, in about 600 ft.
When is the peak for yellowfin tuna fishing out of Wildwood?
May and June are the usual peak around Wilmington Canyon.
What depth do boats troll to?
Charters troll from the flats to the 100 fathom line, about 600 ft.
Are there fall trips?
Yes. Canyon trips run through the fall, per operator pages.
Which buoy should I check?
NOAA CMAN4, station 8536110, at Cape May. Read its wind, wave and period numbers and check the official forecast.
How long are charter trips?
Over Under lists 12 hour trips inshore of the canyons and 15 and 22 hour canyon trips.
