Species guide · New Jersey
Spot fishing in New Jersey
Leiostomus xanthurus, an inshore species also called Norfolk spot and yellowbelly. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region. Peak season, about 5 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM at 82, one of 4 New Jersey bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Mid-Atlantic
Peak season, about 5 more weeks- Jan: Not present
- Feb: Not present
- Mar: Not present
- Apr: Off season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Peak season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Not present
Peak: Aug to Oct. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Oct.
Research notes, Mid-Atlantic region
In the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay from April or May through late autumn. The largest fish school up in late summer and early fall before leaving the bay; year-to-year swings are large.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 4
New Jersey bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's spot score this hour.
Best window today 6-8 PM (83) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (83) · 100 named spots
Best window today 6-8 PM (82) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 6 PM (82) · 147 named spots
Best window today 6-9 PM (83) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (83) · 38 named spots
Best window today 6-8 PM (81) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (81) · 72 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 55°F to 88°F, best between 64°F and 80°F.
- Water depth
- 2 to 30 ft of water.
- Structure
- Pier, bridge, jetty, channel, inlet, surf, bay and estuary, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water and high tide, with light current.Moving water around piers, bridges and inlet channels, and the higher stages of the tide in shallow creeks, usually fish best. During the fall run schools pass beaches and inlets on any tide.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Spot school over mud and sand in bays, tidal creeks and channels and around piers and bridges, generally in less than 25 feet of water. Fish a two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and bits of bloodworm or shrimp, and move until you find a school. In fall the biggest fish run out of the sounds past piers and inlets, and the bite can go all day.
- Methods
- bottom fishing
- Lures
- scented synthetic bait strips
- Bait
- bloodworms, shrimp, squid strips, clams
Regulations
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with NJFW Sep 18, 2026.
No reviewed spot rule for New Jersey is on file yet. Check with NJFW before you keep one.