FishCondishTownsends Inlet, NJ Fishing Report & Live Conditions
Townsends Inlet, NJ fishing report
Townsends Inlet fishes as a four-season fishery with a clear rhythm. Striped bass push through on spring and fall migrations, feeding aggressively in the fast-moving rips where the inlet narrows. Fluke arrive as water temperatures climb into the low 60s, holding through summer along the sandy shoals of the sound side and in the inlet channel edges. Bluefish show in mixed sizes from late spring through fall, often crashing bait near the inlet mouth. Tautog and black sea bass work the nearshore structure and jetty rocks from spring into early winter. Weakfish have become less predictable but still appear in the sound during warmer months. Kingfish run the surf and inlet margins through summer.
The inlet's strongest current pushes fish onto defined edges — target the seam between fast and slack water on the outgoing tide, which flushes baitfish out and concentrates stripers and blues near the jetty tips and sandbars. For fluke, drift the inlet channel and sound with bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp or fresh squid strip, keeping contact with bottom. Bluefish and stripers respond to poppers and metal spoons worked through surface commotion at first and last light. Kingfish hit small bottom rigs baited with bloodworms in the surf gutters. Cold water pushing in off the ocean slows fluke but fires up tautog — jig green crabs tight to the jetty rocks on a slow, bumping retrieve.
Townsends Inlet, NJ tide times
The closest NOAA tide station to Townsends Inlet, NJ is Ocean Drive bridge (station 8535375), about 0.4 miles away. The mean tide range at this station is 4 ft. Predictions below are referenced to MLLW in local time.
| Date | Tides |
|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 1 | ▼ Low 4:23 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 10:33 AM 3.9 ft▼ Low 4:18 PM 0.4 ft▲ High 10:48 PM 4.6 ft |
| Sun, Aug 2 | ▼ Low 4:57 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 11:11 AM 4.1 ft▼ Low 5:03 PM 0.5 ft▲ High 11:25 PM 4.4 ft |
| Mon, Aug 3 | ▼ Low 5:33 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 11:52 AM 4.2 ft▼ Low 5:53 PM 0.6 ft |
| Tue, Aug 4 | ▲ High 12:05 AM 4.2 ft▼ Low 6:14 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 12:37 PM 4.3 ft▼ Low 6:49 PM 0.7 ft |
| Wed, Aug 5 | ▲ High 12:50 AM 3.9 ft▼ Low 6:59 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 1:28 PM 4.4 ft▼ Low 7:51 PM 0.8 ft |
| Thu, Aug 6 | ▲ High 1:43 AM 3.7 ft▼ Low 7:50 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 2:29 PM 4.5 ft▼ Low 8:59 PM 0.8 ft |
| Fri, Aug 7 | ▲ High 2:47 AM 3.5 ft▼ Low 8:50 AM 0.4 ft▲ High 3:40 PM 4.7 ft▼ Low 10:11 PM 0.8 ft |
| Sat, Aug 8 | ▲ High 4:02 AM 3.4 ft▼ Low 9:55 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 4:49 PM 4.9 ft▼ Low 11:19 PM 0.6 ft |
| Sun, Aug 9 | ▲ High 5:12 AM 3.5 ft▼ Low 11:02 AM 0.3 ft▲ High 5:53 PM 5.1 ft |
| Mon, Aug 10 | ▼ Low 12:22 AM 0.4 ft▲ High 6:17 AM 3.6 ft▼ Low 12:06 PM 0.1 ft▲ High 6:53 PM 5.2 ft |
Tide predictions from NOAA CO-OPS, regenerated daily. For the live water level, wind, and today's fishing score, open the Townsends Inlet, NJ dashboard.
What's biting near Townsends Inlet, NJ
The species most likely to be feeding the inlet, the sound, and the surf: striped bass, fluke (summer flounder), bluefish, black sea bass, tautog, weakfish, and kingfish. FishCondish grades every hour of the day for Townsends Inlet, NJ and gives each species its own bite forecast, so you can see which window is worth fishing before you load the truck.
Townsends Inlet, NJ fishing FAQ
What fish can you catch at Townsends Inlet, NJ?
The species bite forecast for Townsends Inlet, 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 Townsends Inlet, NJ?
Dawn and dusk are usually the strongest windows at Townsends Inlet, 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 Townsends Inlet, NJ?
Spring and fall typically bring the most active fishing along the inlet, the sound, and the surf 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 Townsends Inlet, NJ?
FishCondish combines wind, tide movement, water temperature, pressure trend, and moon phase into a single 1–10 fishing score for Townsends Inlet, NJ, updated in real time — a quick go/no-go read before you make the trip.
Fishing tips for Townsends Inlet, NJ
New to these waters? Start with these beginner-friendly guides: