Barnegat Bay / Manasquan Inlet
lake in New Jersey
Inshore saltwater fly fishing near inlets, jetties and shorelines is productive in spring and fall migrations for stripers and blues; both boat and shore options are popular.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Large schools of baitfish are present
- 01Large schools of baitfish are present, attracting aggressive feeders.
- 02Bluefish are actively blitzing, particularly during tide changes.
- 03Weakfish are targeting both baitfish and shrimp in estuaries and grass flats.
- 04Cooling water temperatures are concentrating fish.
Past reports week by week
12 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Silversides
Atlantic Silversides are a primary baitfish during fall migrations along the New Jersey coast, actively targeted by both Bluefish and Weakfish.
Menhaden Fly
The fall 'bunker' (Menhaden) run is a significant feeding event for predatory fish like Bluefish and Weakfish along the Atlantic coast.
Bonito Bunny
During the fall blitz season, Bluefish are highly aggressive and will strike baitfish imitations like the Bonito Bunny.
Buy at AmazonDeceiver
A versatile baitfish pattern, the Deceiver effectively imitates various smaller fish that Bluefish and Weakfish prey upon in the fall.
EP Shrimp
Shrimp are a consistent food source for Weakfish in inshore saltwater environments, making this an effective pattern in the fall.
Buy at AmazonBlue Crab (Saltwater)
Crabs are a consistent food source in estuaries and grass flats during the fall, appealing to Bluefish and potentially Weakfish.
Buy at AmazonSquid Fly
Bluefish are known to aggressively feed on squid during their fall runs in nearshore waters.
Clouser Minnow (Saltwater)
This universal baitfish and shrimp imitation is highly effective year-round for most saltwater species, including actively feeding Bluefish and Weakfish in fall.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Barnegat Inlet / Island Beach State Park
Long beaches and inlet structure concentrate migrating stripers and surface-feedable schools.
Manasquan Inlet
High-energy inlet fishery at tide change for stripers and blues; popular with surf and jetty anglers.
Tices Shoal / Barnegat Bay Flats
Shallow flats and tidal creeks where sight-fishing for stripers on fly is possible during tidal pushes.
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New Jersey season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Barnegat Bay / Manasquan Inlet.
What flies work best on Barnegat Bay / Manasquan Inlet?
Our top scored fly patterns for Barnegat Bay / Manasquan Inlet right now are Chartreuse Deceiver (80% confidence), Deceiver (Lefty's) (80% confidence), Tan Spawning Shrimp (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Barnegat Bay / Manasquan Inlet?
Barnegat Bay / Manasquan Inlet holds Bluefish, Weakfish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Barnegat Bay / Manasquan Inlet fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Barnegat Bay / Manasquan Inlet each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.