Striped Bass Fishing Near Brigantine with Mark

The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), commonly called stripers or linesiders, belongs to the Perciformes order and Moronidae family. This iconic Atlantic gamefish features distinctive horizontal stripes running along its silvery sides and can reach impressive sizes up to 55 inches and 81 pounds. In Atlantic City waters this July, striped bass congregate near shore to feed on abundant baitfish.

Striped Bass Overview

Striped bass are among the most sought-after gamefish along the Atlantic coast, prized for their powerful fights and excellent table fare. These anadromous fish spend most of their adult lives in saltwater but return to freshwater rivers to spawn, making them available to both inshore and nearshore anglers throughout their range.

Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution

These adaptable fish inhabit rivers, lakes, onshore, and nearshore environments from Maine to North Carolina. Around Atlantic City, stripers frequent shallow bays, inlet mouths, and nearshore waters where they ambush schools of bunker, spearing, and other forage fish along current edges and structure.

Striped Bass Size and Weight

Atlantic striped bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length, with weights spanning 10 to 81 pounds. Trophy fish over 40 pounds are caught annually in New Jersey waters, while keeper-sized fish between 28-35 inches provide consistent action for charter boat anglers.

Striped Bass Diet and Behavior

Stripers are opportunistic predators feeding on bunker, herring, anchovies, eels, crabs, and squid. They hunt in schools during dawn and dusk periods, often driving baitfish to the surface in spectacular feeding frenzies that attract diving birds and alert anglers to their presence.

Striped Bass Spawning Season

Spawning occurs in spring when water temperatures reach 55-65°F, with fish migrating to freshwater rivers and tributaries. After spawning, adult stripers return to coastal waters where they feed heavily throughout summer and fall before moving south for winter.

Striped Bass Fishing Techniques

Effective methods include trolling with bunker spoons, casting topwater plugs during feeding activity, and live-lining eels or bunker near structure. In July around Atlantic City, anglers find success using heavy tackle for larger fish while light spinning gear provides exciting battles with schoolie-sized stripers.

Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?

Striped bass offers firm, white meat with mild flavor that adapts well to grilling, baking, or broiling. Rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, stripers provide excellent nutrition while maintaining relatively low mercury levels compared to other large predatory fish.

Striped Bass Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best bait for striped bass?

A: Live bunker, eels, and herring are top choices, while artificial lures like spoons, plugs, and soft plastics also produce excellent results.

Q: Where can I find striped bass near Atlantic City?

A: Look for stripers around inlet mouths, bridge pilings, shallow bays, and nearshore waters where baitfish concentrate during tide changes.

Q: Is striped bass good to eat?

A: Yes, striped bass provides excellent table fare with firm, flaky white meat that's versatile for various cooking methods and rich in healthy proteins.

Q: When is the best time to catch striped bass?

A: Early morning and evening hours during moving tides typically produce the best action, with summer months offering consistent opportunities in Atlantic City waters.

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) are aggressive predators belonging to the Perciformes order and Pomatomidae family. These warm-water migrants range from 15 to 51 inches and weigh between 3 to 15 pounds, making them exciting targets for Atlantic City anglers. Known for their razor-sharp teeth and voracious appetite, bluefish provide thrilling action during summer months.

Bluefish Overview

Bluefish are among the most aggressive gamefish in Atlantic waters, famous for their feeding frenzies and powerful runs. These migratory fish travel the Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Argentina, arriving in New Jersey waters during late spring and remaining through fall.

Bluefish Habitat and Distribution

These pelagic predators inhabit nearshore and onshore waters throughout their range, preferring areas with strong currents and abundant baitfish. Around Atlantic City, bluefish frequent inlet mouths, nearshore waters, and areas where tide rips concentrate schools of bunker and spearing.

Bluefish Size and Weight

Atlantic bluefish typically measure 15 to 51 inches with weights ranging from 3 to 15 pounds. Larger specimens, called choppers, provide the most exciting battles, while smaller snappers offer excellent light-tackle action for beginning anglers.

Bluefish Diet and Behavior

Bluefish are voracious predators that hunt in schools, slashing through baitfish with their sharp teeth. They feed on bunker, herring, anchovies, and squid, often creating spectacular surface feeding displays that can be seen and heard from considerable distances.

Bluefish Spawning Season

Spawning occurs in offshore waters during spring and early summer when water temperatures reach optimal levels. After spawning, adult bluefish move inshore to feed heavily, making summer the prime time for targeting these aggressive gamefish.

Bluefish Fishing Techniques

Effective methods include trolling with spoons or plugs, casting metal jigs during feeding activity, and using wire leaders to prevent bite-offs. In July around Atlantic City, kite fishing and surface plugs produce explosive strikes when bluefish are actively feeding.

Bluefish Is It Good to Eat?

Fresh bluefish offers rich, flavorful meat that's excellent when grilled, broiled, or smoked. The oily flesh is high in omega-3 fatty acids and provides robust flavor that pairs well with citrus and herbs, though it should be consumed fresh for best taste.

Bluefish Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best bait for bluefish?

A: Metal jigs, spoons, and cut bunker work well, but use wire leaders as bluefish have extremely sharp teeth that easily cut through monofilament.

Q: Where can I find bluefish near Atlantic City?

A: Look for diving birds and surface activity indicating feeding schools, typically found around inlet mouths and nearshore waters during tide changes.

Q: Is bluefish good to eat?

A: Yes, when fresh, bluefish provides rich, flavorful meat that's excellent grilled or broiled, though it's best consumed within a day or two of catching.

Q: When is the best time to catch bluefish?

A: Early morning and evening during active feeding periods, with summer months providing the most consistent action in Atlantic City waters.

California Flounder (Paralichthys californicus), also known as California Halibut, belongs to the Pleuronectiformes order and Paralichthyidae family. These flatfish are notable for their small head and well-developed large teeth, measuring 54 to 60 inches and weighing 6 to 30 pounds. They inhabit inshore and nearshore waters where they ambush prey from sandy bottoms.

California Flounder Overview

California flounder are prized gamefish known for their excellent table fare and challenging fights. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey that ventures too close to their hiding spots.

California Flounder Habitat and Distribution

These bottom-dwelling fish prefer sandy and muddy bottoms in inshore and nearshore waters. They frequent areas with structure, drop-offs, and current edges where they can effectively hunt for prey while remaining concealed in the substrate.

California Flounder Size and Weight

California flounder typically range from 54 to 60 inches in length with weights spanning 6 to 30 pounds. Larger specimens provide excellent battles on appropriate tackle, while keeper-sized fish offer consistent action for bottom fishermen.

California Flounder Diet and Behavior

These predators feed on small fish, crabs, shrimp, and various bottom-dwelling invertebrates. They use their excellent camouflage to remain hidden in sand until prey comes within striking distance, then quickly engulf their target with their large mouth.

California Flounder Fishing Techniques

Effective methods include bottom fishing with live or cut bait, drifting over sandy areas, and using light tackle to detect subtle bites. Successful anglers focus on areas with current and structure where these fish congregate to feed.