While fluke are beginning to move into deeper, cooler waters off the Jersey Coast and surfcasters start focusing on saltwater panfish like northern kingfish, big game anglers are fueling up their battlewagons for the eastbound trek to the canyons in search of tuna, wahoo, mahi and marlin. July is primetime on the offshore grounds, and the big money tournament season is upon us again in ’25.
First up in July is the South Jersey Yacht Sales Offshore Showdown from July 10-12. Based out of Cape May, the event pays out for angler points (juniors, ladies and men) and boat points (overall, white marlin, blue marlin and tuna) with prizes also awarded to heaviest tuna, heaviest dolphin and heaviest wahoo. The captain’s meeting is Wednesday, July 9 at 4 p.m. Daily fishing begins at 8 .m. ending at 3:30 p.m. with weigh-ins starting at 5 p.m. Boundaries for the Offshore Showdown are 100 nautical miles from the Cape May Sea Buoy. For tournament details and registration call 609-884-0177 or visit southjerseytournaments.com.
Then comes the Quest for the Ring Championship Week from July 13-19. Presented by NFL hall of fame coach Jimmy Johnson, this 5th annual event has weigh stations available in both Atlantic City, NJ at Farley State Marina at the Golden Nugget and at Sunset Marina in Ocean City, MD. With a $1 million guaranteed purse on the offshore grounds, the Quest for the Ring Championship Week begins with a kick-off party at the Golden Nugget Ballroom on Sunday, a secondary registration day on Monday for those who can’t make it Sunday, and a choice of three of five fishing days. For details go to questfortheringac.com.
The NJ Fishing Club is getting into the offshore arena this month, with their Small Boat Tuna Cup from July 17-20. This three-day fishing event (fish one day) will be hosted at River Rock Marina Restaurant and Bar in Brick, with a mandatory captains meeting July 17. For details go to njfishingclub.com.
Finally from July 24-27, marlin becomes the big draw at the Cape May Marlin Tournament. Presented by South Jersey Marina and South Jersey Tournaments, the captains meeting will be held on Thursday, July 24. All boats must sail from and return to Cape May Inlet. Fishing begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. on each scheduled fishing day with weigh-ins beginning at 5 p.m. back at Canyon Club Marina in Cape May. For more information call 609-884-0177 or visit SouthJerseyTournaments.com.
