C-MAP Featured Hotspot: Barnegat Ridge

Barnegat Ridge’s Upwelling of Nutrient-Rich Water Attracts Schools of Baitfish And Gamefish

Actually made up of two ridges (both marked as A on bathymetric map below), Barnegat Ridge lies just 16 miles southeast of Barnegat Inlet. There, the depth climbs rapidly from 95 feet to 55 feet causing an upwelling of nutrient-rich water that attracts schools of baitfish and gamefish. In the summer months, pelagic species move into the area to feed on the large schools of baitfish that set up over the ridge. Summer visitors to Barnegat Ridge include, bluefish, Atlantic bonito, false albacore, bluefin tuna, mahi-mahi, and a variety of sharks.

Trolling is the most popular tactic for Barnegat Ridge bonito and albies. Clark Spoons, Deep-Diving Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows and small Japanese feathers are all effective on these fish. Rigging one rod with a cedar plug or a Green Machine give you a chance at tempting some larger pelagics, if they are around.

Chumming with handfuls of spearing, fresh if you can get it, frozen if not, is deadly on the pelagics of Barnegat Ridge. There is no telling what might enter the slick. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel have been caught with this tactic at Barnegat Ridge, as have bonito, albies, bluefin and mahi.

Barnegat Ridge is also a popular destination for big bluefish in the summer months. A number of central New Jersey party boats run “All Night Blues” trips to the ridge, chumming with mackerel and bunker and bringing big bluefish right to the boat. It’s not unusual for a shark such as a brown, dusky, mako or thresher to invade these slicks as well. In fact, some boats even shark fish on Barnegat Ridge.

Under favorable conditions, Barnegat Ridge is an easy ride from Barnegat Inlet and provides small boat anglers with the opportunity to hook into some big time fish.