FishCondishCape May, NJ Fishing Report & Live Conditions
Cape May, NJ fishing report
Cape May sits where the Atlantic meets Delaware Bay, with the rips and jetties giving it some of the best structure on the Jersey shore. The rips off the point hold striped bass and bluefish, especially during the spring and fall runs when bait funnels around the cape. Summer is strong for fluke in the bay channels, the rips, and along the jetties, with weakfish a classic dusk target. Tautog and black sea bass work the jetties and rocks into the cold months.
Fish the rips on moving water — bucktails, swim shads, and live bait swung through the current seams take bass and blues, while drifting bucktails along the edges works fluke. The jetties hold tog and sea bass on crab and clam, and stripers tight to the rocks at low light. The rips fire on a hard moving tide and go quiet at slack, so time your sessions to the current; mid-tide with real water movement, at dawn or dusk, is the prime window.
Cape May, NJ tide times
The closest NOAA tide station to Cape May, NJ is Cape Island Creek, Cape May (station 8535902), about 0.9 miles away. Predictions below are referenced to MLLW in local time.
| Date | Tides |
|---|---|
| Mon, Jul 27 | ▼ Low 1:16 AM 0.9 ft▲ High 7:24 AM 3.7 ft▼ Low 12:53 PM 0.9 ft▲ High 7:43 PM 5.2 ft |
| Tue, Jul 28 | ▼ Low 1:58 AM 0.7 ft▲ High 8:09 AM 3.8 ft▼ Low 1:36 PM 0.7 ft▲ High 8:25 PM 5.3 ft |
| Wed, Jul 29 | ▼ Low 2:35 AM 0.5 ft▲ High 8:50 AM 4 ft▼ Low 2:17 PM 0.6 ft▲ High 9:03 PM 5.4 ft |
| Thu, Jul 30 | ▼ Low 3:08 AM 0.4 ft▲ High 9:28 AM 4.1 ft▼ Low 2:55 PM 0.6 ft▲ High 9:39 PM 5.4 ft |
| Fri, Jul 31 | ▼ Low 3:41 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 10:03 AM 4.3 ft▼ Low 3:33 PM 0.6 ft▲ High 10:13 PM 5.3 ft |
| Sat, Aug 1 | ▼ Low 4:13 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 10:38 AM 4.4 ft▼ Low 4:12 PM 0.6 ft▲ High 10:49 PM 5.1 ft |
| Sun, Aug 2 | ▼ Low 4:47 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 11:16 AM 4.6 ft▼ Low 4:56 PM 0.7 ft▲ High 11:27 PM 4.9 ft |
| Mon, Aug 3 | ▼ Low 5:25 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 11:57 AM 4.7 ft▼ Low 5:47 PM 0.8 ft |
| Tue, Aug 4 | ▲ High 12:10 AM 4.6 ft▼ Low 6:07 AM 0.4 ft▲ High 12:44 PM 4.9 ft▼ Low 6:44 PM 0.9 ft |
| Wed, Aug 5 | ▲ High 12:59 AM 4.4 ft▼ Low 6:53 AM 0.5 ft▲ High 1:35 PM 5 ft▼ Low 7:45 PM 1 ft |
Tide predictions from NOAA CO-OPS, regenerated daily. For the live water level, wind, and today's fishing score, open the Cape May, NJ dashboard.
What's biting near Cape May, NJ
The species most likely to be feeding Delaware Bay, the rips, and the jetties: striped bass, fluke (summer flounder), bluefish, black sea bass, tautog, weakfish, and kingfish. FishCondish grades every hour of the day for Cape May, NJ and gives each species its own bite forecast, so you can see which window is worth fishing before you load the truck.
Cape May, NJ fishing FAQ
What fish can you catch at Cape May, NJ?
The species bite forecast for Cape May, NJ covers what's likely feeding there, including striped bass, fluke (summer flounder), bluefish, black sea bass, tautog, weakfish, and kingfish — and updates with the live conditions.
What's the best time of day to fish Cape May, NJ?
Dawn and dusk are usually the strongest windows at Cape May, NJ, especially when they line up with moving water around a tide change. FishCondish grades every hour of the day so you can pick the best one.
When is the best season to fish Cape May, NJ?
Spring and fall typically bring the most active fishing along Delaware Bay, the rips, and the jetties as fish migrate and feed heavily, with summer steady for warm-water species. It varies year to year, so check the live score before you head out.
How do I know if it's a good day to fish Cape May, NJ?
FishCondish combines wind, tide movement, water temperature, pressure trend, and moon phase into a single 1–10 fishing score for Cape May, NJ, updated in real time — a quick go/no-go read before you make the trip.
Fishing tips for Cape May, NJ
New to these waters? Start with these beginner-friendly guides: