NJ Fishing piers are going the way of the drive-in theater. Their just aren't many around any more. It is unfortunate because piers tend to be an 'equalizer' in letting those without the financial means of owning a boat an opportunity to fish in the ocean. Unfortunately, Super Storm Sandy impacts dwindled an already short list to what we have today.
| address | description | owner | Nearest Cam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margate Fish Pier 121 S Exeter Ave, Margate City NJ 08402 (609) 823-9846 |
Atlantic Ocean Must be a member of Angler's Club to use the pier. Angler's club has one time initiation fee and per year fee which includes a locker. |
The Angler’s Club |  |
| Ventnor City Fishing Pier Cambridge Avenue & the Boardwalk Ventnor City NJ 08406 609-823-7944 |
Atlantic Ocean |
Ventnor City | |
| Ocean City Fishing Club Pier 14th and Boardwalk Ocean City NJ 08226 609-398-9800 |
Atlantic Ocean  |
Ocean City Fishing Club | |
| Keansburg Fishing Pier 275 Beachway Keansburg NJ 07734 732-495-8842 |
Raritan Bay  The Pier is approximately 2000 feet long. You have an amazing panoramic view of New York City, along with awesome sunrises and sunsets. |
Private | |
| Lavallette Pier Magee Avenue Lavallette NJ 08735 |
Barnegat Bay  |
Lavallette | |
| Keyport Fishing Pier 1 American Legion Drive Keyport NJ 07735 (732) 739-3900 |
Raritan Bay  |
||
| Wildwood crest Sweet Briar Rd. and Park Boulevard. Wildwood crest NJ 08260 |
Atlantic Ocean  |
|
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| Mantolooking Bridge Fishing Pier 30 Mantoloking Road Brick NJ 08723 1-877-OC PARKS |
Barnegat Bay With great views of the Barnegat Bay, this is sure to be one of the best fishing or crabbing spots in all of Ocean County. |
Ocean County Parks | |
| Berkley Island County Park 399 Brennan Concourse Berkeley Township NJ 08721 1-877-627-2757) |
Barnegat Bay Park is OpenImproved The Pier is 285‘ long x 24’ wide. We provide landing nets, a fish cleaning station, picnic area, and toilet facilities. It is well-lit at night, family-friendly, and produces some of the finest catches of Flounder, Striper, Bluefish, Weakfish, Croakers, Kingfish and Blue Claw Crabs!!! Also the occasional Trigger Fish, Sheepshead, Drum Fish, & Almaco Jack. The Crabbing is Excellent! |
Ocean Count Department of Parks and Recreation | |
| Grassy Sound Marina Pier 13 Old N Wildwood Blvd Wildwood NJ 08260 (609) 846-1400 |
Grassy Sound The Pier is 285‘ long x 24’ wide. We provide landing nets, a fish cleaning station, picnic area, and toilet facilities. It is well-lit at night, family-friendly, and produces some of the finest catches of Flounder, Striper, Bluefish, Weakfish, Croakers, Kingfish and Blue Claw Crabs!!! Also the occasional Trigger Fish, Sheepshead, Drum Fish, & Almaco Jack. The Crabbing is Excellent! |
Grassy Sound Marina | |
| Bayshore Waterfront Park 719 Port Monmouth Road Port Monmouth NJ 07758 732-787-3033 |
Sandy Hook Bay  Enjoy the maritime shrublands, tidal creeks, salt marshes, dunes, mile of beach and scenic views across the water. The park offers a fishing pier, access to Raritan Bay, and beautiful views of the NY skyline |
Monmouth County Parks | |
| Waterfront Park Waterfront Fitness Trail Carteret NJ 07008 732-541-3885 |
Arthur Kill |
Carteret Municipal Government |
If you are new to Pier fishing, then there are a few things to keep in mind with regards to having the correct tackle. If you are on an Ocean or open bay fishing pier where Bluefish and Striped Bass are known to run, your not going to get by on light tackle. Still, you don't want anything too heavy to slow you down from casting and retrieving is in order.
Additional length means better casting and leverage. You want a pole longer than you typically would use on a boat. Don't go too tall though because taller rods are also clunkier to operate so you really want to stay in 7.5 – 9 ft range with your pier fishing rod. This size rod will allow you to handle almost all types of fishing opportunities that will avail themselves while you are pier fishing.
Rod Must Have Plenty of Backbone
In addition to the possibility of big fish, the ocean is a challenge on your equipment as well. You need something that will handle dropping several ounces of lead as required on occasion. You do NOT want a light action rod for pier fishing. A rod with a MH (Medium-Heavy) designation is best to get started with.
Spinning Variety
It just makes so much more sense to use a spinning rod for pier fishing. They are easier to cast and operate for experienced fishermen and newcomers alike. If you are looking specifically for a rod to fish on piers with, make it a spinning rod.
Quality Matters
It is worth noting that saltwater is really unforgiving. Whatever you can afford, buy the best spinning reel you can. If you take care of a good reel, it can last you for you years. However, some of the lower end models will last you 1 year and you will need to replace it. The quality of the rod is important also, but even the low end rods will last you a while, unlike the low end reels.
Our Best Pier Fishing Combination Value Reccomendation
Penn Pursuit II 6000-2 Piece Spinning Combo, 8-Feet/Medium-Heavy
Penn has been a well known name in saltwater fishing for decades. This combination is a great starter outfit for pier fishing and can also be used for surf fishing. And it won't break the bank. You can get this for less than $75.
Additional Tackle You Will Need for Pier Fishing
You should make sure you have a long handle or telescoping landing net when you are pier fishing. Most fish of any size will be lost as you try to land it on a pier if you don't net the fish. Telescoping nets make it easier to travel.
No fisherman can go without fishing pliers. It pays to have a decent pair of pliers in your box for your pier fishing adventure. Remember, saltwater is unforgiving so make sure you get a pair of pliers made for saltwater use.
Of course you will need to have a variety of hooks and swivels at your disposal. You can save some money over the course of a fishing season by buying hooks in bulk, but be careful because if they are not Stainless steel they will rust quickly just being exposed to salt air. So, either buy small packs of hooks and leave packs closed until ready to use or buy stainless steel hooks. In either case you will need a a variety of sizes.
You need to have a just a few different sizes of leader spools here. You MAY want to also add some flouo to your mix but it is pricey
If you are a saltwater fisherman, you need Gulp. They make many varieties and most are quite qood. For pier fishing, 2 most haves are Curly tails and Shrimp.
Nothing complicated here, just make sure you have 2 way, 3 way, and snap swivels in a few different sizes. Most pier fishing is done with a very simple set up of a 3 way swivel, a leadered hook with bait and a sinker.
You will need an assortment of lead sinkers with most in the 2-5 oz range. You will save much money by buying in advance online as mark up on sinkers at piers and other tackle shops is high.
You need bucktails, diamond jigs, and swimmers. Your set.
Much like surf fisherman, many pier fisherman get coolers on wheels.
This is another area where you want to buy the best you can afford. Cheap knives loose there edge quickly, rust and will not give you satisfactory value for your money over the long haul. Handles of something other than wood is preferable as wood never really comes clean and it acts as a germ hangout on your knife.
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