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Fisherman's Headquarters

August 31, 2026 - 10:58:22

Greg of Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom said his customers have been chasing bonito in the surf as they move in and out chasing spearing baits. Lucky anglers are in the right place at the right time to score. Smaller beasties like kingfish, croaker and spot are hitting Fishbites in the suds along with the usual pull of fluke. The Barney Inlet rocks are giving up tautog and triggerfish.

August 31, 2026 - 10:58:14

Tyler at Fisherman’s Headquarters advises probing the Hudson, Lindenkohl and Spencer for reasonable shots at yellowfin and the occasional bigeye. Trolling still the gig, but he’s anticipating September’s transition to the chunk. Pot hopping is producing good counts of various size mahi that are glomming Hogy epoxy jigs, chunks o’ butters, and sardines. Some nice cobia being caught around the pots as well.

August 31, 2026 - 10:58:02

Greg at Fisherman’s Headquarters said he’s hearing good reports of yellowfin tuna, mahi, and tilefish offshore out of Barnegat Light. With September and October typically offering some of the year’s best tuna fishing, offshore anglers have plenty to look forward to as the season shifts into fall. On the beach, bonito are being reported from the mid-island down to the south end, giving surfcasters a shot at some fast-moving action close to shore.

August 24, 2026 - 10:24:10

Greg at Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom said the Barnegat jetty gave up reports of quality sheepshead off the rocks on sand crabs. Mid-Island and southern shores are seeing plenty of fluke still on the feed with occasional bluefish. Sharks and rays are chewing on chunk baits at night. Some smaller beasties of croakers, kingfish and spot are eating Fishbites in the surf as well.

August 24, 2026 - 10:24:06

Keith at Fisherman’s Headquarters said a few yellowfin and bluefin are being caught in the canyons in addition to a smattering of white and blue marlin. Some bluefin have been showing along the Barnegat Ridge. A lot of attention is being paid to the frenetic chunk and small jig mahi bites occurring at the inshore and mid shore pots.

August 24, 2026 - 10:23:55

Greg at Fisherman’s Headquarters said there is an abundance of fishing variety and bait around, with small sand eels holding near Barnegat Inlet for nearly two months. More recently, spearing, mullet, and peanut bunker have begun showing in greater numbers, with especially large concentrations of bait still holding farther back in the bay. Although the Dog Days of Summer are still hanging on, Greg is already seeing signs of fall on the horizon.

280 West 9th St
Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
phone: 609-494-5739

"The one stop headquarters for all of your saltwater fishing needs!" For over 50 years, Fisherman's Headquarters helps generations of anglers prepare and enjoy their time on the water. Fish Heads (as most call us) is the premier full service bait and tackle store serving the needs of saltwater anglers around the world with first class service, top quality fishing tackle brands and competitive prices. We are commended and recommended for excellence in experience and service by local, regional and national fishing organizations. Fisherman’s Headquarters is a Factory Authorized Penn Reel Warranty, Service and Penn Reel Parts Center as well as a Factory Authorized Van Staal Reel Service and Warranty Center. Our professional service team is on hand ready to serve you. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, Fisherman's Headquarters has you covered with quality tackle at great prices with the advice and guidance to assist before and after the sale. About Fisherman's Headquarters: It all started long ago... Our roots date back to the early days on Long Beach Island. In 1962, the massive "Great Storm" hammered LBI for three days. The Island was breached in many areas and the destroyer the USS Monssen was aground on the beach in Holgate. It was the most destructive storm to ever meet the mid-Atlantic states. Shortly after the vicious storm, an avid angler Russ Walls commissioned an LBI native and neighbor Art Cox to clear the lot at the entrance to LBI just a short distance to the east of the causeway bridge. Fisherman's Headquarters was born and still stands today at the same location. Russ Walls established a successful store that anglers loved throughout the 60's. After years of service, Walls sold the business to Vince Goddard and then over time it changed hands again. Bob Dodds ran the business for a number of years, up until the early 80's. In 1984, a passionate inshore and offshore angler Stan Cudnik bought the business. For the next thirty-plus years, Fisherman's Headquarters has supplied anglers across the globe top quality fishing tackle with expert knowledge. A Bit of Fishing History From Long Beach Island: The history of Long Beach Island (LBI) is rich in love for the water. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east side and the Barnegat Bay on the west, LBI's narrow 18 miles of sand is surrounded with beauty and great fishing. For many years now, LBI is considered one of the top fishing destination in New Jersey and one of the best on the eastern seaboard. It is well documented in history. In 1864, author of The American Angler's Book, Thad Norris wrote about LBI, "I consider the fishing the surest and best on the Jersey coast." In George B Somerville's 1914 publication The Lure of Long Beach the Island's fishing was detailed. "Long Beach Island is indisputably New Jersey's Mecca for fishermen and the lover of bluefish, striped bass, weakfish, croaker, will find himself on ideal fishing grounds along this section of the coast. To the angler Barnegat Bay is the fisherman's paradise." Long Beach Island is home to two of the oldest fishing tournaments in the country. The Beach Haven Marlin Tuna Club's White Marlin Tournament is the oldest White Marlin tournament in the country, started in 1969. Started back in 1954, the Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic is one of the oldest surf fishing tournaments in the country. Today both tournaments are very popular and produce amazing winning catches every year.