Belmar

Monmouth County, NJ

Belmar offers public shoreline access on the Atlantic coast in Monmouth County. Common targets include striped bass, bluefish, and summer flounder.

Live · updated

Bluefish — Skip the Bluefish trip today.

Best conditions of 3 species tracked at Belmar.

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NWSActive weather alert

Flood Watch issued July 21 at 4:46PM EDT until July 22 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Air Temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind
10 to 15 mph
SW
Rain
40%
Wednesday
Pressure
29.69 inHg
Steady · last 6h
Water Temp
77°F
Tidal waters
Tide
incoming
Seas
5.2 ft
Nearest buoy wave height
Sunrise
5:44 AM
Sunset
8:19 PM
Moon · 49%
first quarter
Time Type Height
1:47 AM High 4.5 ft
8:01 AM Low 0.7 ft
2:24 PM High 5.0 ft
8:47 PM Low 1.1 ft

3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.

#1 Bluefish Skip the Bluefish trip today. In season 6/100

What's helping

  • 77°F water — inside bluefish's active range
  • incoming tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
  • 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

What's hurting

  • Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
  • 5.2 ft seas — building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position
  • NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out

About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.

Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →

Daily creel
5

No minimum size. 5 fish/day from shore or private boat; 7/day on for-hire vessels.

Source: New Jersey regulations · verified 2026-05-29.

#2 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 0/100

What's helping

  • incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
  • 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

What's hurting

  • 77°F water — above striped bass's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
  • Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
  • 5.2 ft seas — building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position
  • NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out

About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."

Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →

Min size
28"
Max size
38"
Daily creel
1

28–38" slot, 1 fish/day. Circle hooks are required when fishing with bait.

Source: New Jersey regulations · verified 2026-05-29.

#2 Summer Flounder Skip the Summer Flounder trip today. In season 0/100

What's helping

  • 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

What's hurting

  • 77°F water — above summer flounder's active range (58–75°f) — fish move deep
  • incoming tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
  • Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
  • 5.2 ft seas — building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position
  • NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out

About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.

Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →

Min size
18"
Daily creel
3

18" minimum, 3 fish/day. Exact season dates are set annually by NJ DEP; the typical spring–early-fall window is shown.

Source: New Jersey regulations · verified 2026-05-29.

Water Body

Atlantic Ocean

Region

Jersey Shore

Access

Shoreline access

Jurisdiction

New Jersey

Coordinates

40.1786, -74.0336

Local reports & rules for Belmar: NJ Fish & Wildlife fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Belmar?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Belmar you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Belmar?

Belmar is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Summer Flounder. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Belmar?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Belmar against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Belmar have?

Belmar has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Belmar?

state agency regulations apply at Belmar. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Belmar tidal water?

Yes. Belmar sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.

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