Fishing piers are popular places to try for that big catch on the jersey shoreline. While they used to be more prevalent and have taken a beating in hurricanes over the years, there are still many quality spots available for anglers to try their luck. In order to up the ante a little, it is best to do your research about the types of gear you might need, and watch fishing reports for the best tide stage. The waters off the shore of New Jersey are plentiful with Striper, Fluke, Bluefish, Winter Flounder, and even Swordfish and crab.

You don’t need a license for saltwater fishing in New Jersey, but before you head out, remember that if you’re saltwater fishing in the state, you’re required to register with the Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. To register is free and you can do it online. 

Now, let’s cover the best spots along New Jersey’s coast for pier fishing, and some of the activities featured near them!

Bayshore Waterfront Park

Location:  719 Port Monmouth Rd., Port Monmouth, NJ 07758

Features

The Bayshore Waterfront park is located on Sandy Hook Bay and has access to Raritan Bay. Visitors can enjoy the following features:

• Free! There is no charge to visit this pier and parking is free as well. 
• Size! This park features 200 acres of sandy beaches and shade to enjoy while you’re there. Take a stroll and discover all that this area has to offer.
• View! Visiting this park, you not only have breathtaking views of the ocean, but you also have a scenic view of the New York skyline off in the distance.
• The Pier! Bayshore features a 500 foot pier that is wheelchair accessible.
• Seating! There are a number of benches in the large picnic area.
• Activities! The nearby activity center has many different activities throughout the year such as Seashell Sunday, and even Fishing 101! Perfect for kids or the curious adult who wants to learn more about marine life in the area.
• Park go-ers can also enjoy salt marshes, dunes, tidal creeks, and maritime shrublands.

What To Fish For

The types of fish commonly caught here include:

• Bluefish
• Stripers
• Flatfish

John C. Bartlett, Jr., County Park at Berkley Island

Location:  399 Brennan Concourse, Bayville, NJ 08721

Features

The John C. Bartlett, Jr., County Park is located off the Barnegat Bay. Hurricane Sandy destroyed this pier in 2012 and it was rebuilt afterwards. Visitors can enjoy the following features:

• Free! There is no charge to visit this pier and parking is free as well. 
• Size! While this park is a bit smaller in size, it still offers 25 acres to roam and play.  
• View! This park is situated on a peninsula and offers what are arguable the best views of Barnegat Bay in Ocean County. 
• The Pier! John C. Bartlett, Jr., County Park features a 100 foot pier for fishing and crabbing and is one of the most popular in the county.
• Seating! This park has many picnic areas to choose from and ADA accessible. It also includes a pavilion that is rentable and can hold up to 120 people.
• Activities! When the park was reconstructed after the hurricane in 2012, several activity areas were added, including a splash park for kids and a new playground, and bocce ball, corn hole and horseshoe courts. 
• The park’s new design also features living shorelines; designed to provide homes for birds, fish, shellfish and mammals alike. 

What To Fish For

There are many types of fish commonly caught here, including:

• Large Weakfish
• Striped Bass
• Flatfish
• Winter and Summer Flounder
• Bluefish
• Fluke

Carteret Fishing Pier

Location:  Carteret Waterfront Park (Industrial Ave / Baumgartner Blvd), Waterfront Fitness Trail, Carteret, NJ 07008

Features

The John C. Bartlett, Jr., County Park is located in the Arthur Kill. Visitors can enjoy the following features:

• Free! There is no charge to visit this pier and parking is free as well. There are two lots for parking offered. 
• Size! Roughly 20 acres in size, this park has plenty of room to roam. 
• View! This park is situated in Arthur Kill and offers views of Staten Island.
• The Pier! Carteret Fishing Pier offers a big deck and a long pier extension. Fishers can spread out and have space to claim their own spot on this spacious pier.
• Seating! This park has many benches and a picnic area so plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the view or have lunch.
• Activities! Carteret Pier is part of the Carteret Waterfront Park. This park has a bandstand and chess area near the pier, as well as a playground and restrooms. Other areas of the park include activities such as a putting green, volleyball courts, as well as space designated for bocce ball, shuffleboard and horseshoes. A picnic area is located near the sporting area, as well as a garden.

What To Fish For

The types of fish commonly caught here include:

• Fluke
• Dogfish
• Trophy-sized Stripers!

Keyport Fishing Pier

Location:  1 American Legion Dr., Keyport, NJ 07735

Features

The Keyport Fishing Pier is located on the Raritan Bay and is part of the Keyport Waterfront Park. Visitors can enjoy the following features:

• Free! There is no charge to visit this pier and parking is free as well. 
• Size! This is a fairly small pier and park relative to other popular spots. 
• View! This park offers views of the Manhattan skyline and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
• The Pier! While not a big pier, this pier offers a long bench for fishers to sit at, as well as a covered area to protect from the elements.
• Seating! Along with the long bench on the pier, there are many benches along the walkway and picnic tables in an open-air pavilion.
• Activities! Walk along the waterfront park, browse the local farmer’s market, or head over to their Fireman’s Fair for food and rides.

What To Fish For

The types of fish commonly caught here include:

• Stripers
• Bluefish
• Don’t forget the crabbing! This pier is well-known for its crabbing so remember to bring your traps along as well! You can set them and then enjoy some fishing along the pier while you wait for those tasty crustaceans.

Keansburg Fishing Pier

Location:  275 Beachway Ave., Keansburg, NJ 07734

Features

The Keansburg Fishing Pier is located on Raritan Bay. Visitors can enjoy the following features:

• Cost! Keansburg Fishing Pier costs $8 for adults and $5 for children. The cost to just walk the pier is $1.
• Size! This fishing pier stretches 2,000 feet.
• View! The Keansburg Fishing Pier offers breathtaking views across the waters of Raritan Bay.
• The Pier! This pier is a classic design, made from wood and it 2,000 feet long. It has a tackle shop that offers both frozen and fresh bait, and you can rent a rod from them as well. You are allowed to have no more than two poles per person. It’s reported that the fishing can sometimes be hit or miss.
• Weather. This pier sometimes closes in bad weather or rain. 
• Activities! The Keansburg Amusement Park is located right next to the pier! If you need to relax after a fun-filled day of rides you can head over to the pier for some fishing.

What To Fish For

The types of fish commonly caught here include:

• Bluefish
• Winter Flounder
• Stripers
• Porgies
• Fluke

Ventnor City Fishing Pier

Location:  S Cambridge Ave and Boardwalk, Ventnor City, NJ 08406

Features

The Ventnor City Fishing Pier is located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of New Jersey’s last ocean-facing piers in existence. Visitors can enjoy the following features:

• Cost! To visit the Ventnor City Fishing Pier, it costs $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, children and veterans. $5 for anyone not fishing. You can also purchase annual or weekly passes as well.
• No kids under 10 are permitted on the pier for safety reasons. 
• Size! This fishing pier is 1000 feet long and is New Jersey’s longest ocean fishing pier.
• View! Gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean. Sit and watch the waves or locals and tourists trying to hang ten. Remember to take your camera for some sure to be breathtaking pics.
• The Pier! Ventnor City Fishing Pier is a wooden pier and at 1000 feet, it is the furthest you can get into the Atlantic in New Jersey on foot. This pier is also lighted.
• Seating! The pier has lots of benches and also sports cleaning tables so you can clean your catch before heading home.

What To Fish For

While the kinds of fish you can pull out of these waters varies by season, the types of fish commonly caught here include:

• Black Seabass
• Sheepshead
• Thresher Sharks
• Tautog (Blackfish)

As you can see, there are many options along the Jersey shoreline for a great fishing experience. These fishing piers are a great way to get out and enjoy the views while waiting for that next big catch, and have some fun activities surrounding them that you can take up along the way.