Sea Bass Season Kicks Off in Cape May

The current portion of the 2025 sea bass fishing season has officially opened after a delay of two to three days, according to the Cape May County Herald. For October, the regulations are set at 12.5 inches for fish length and a 10-fish bag limit, which will increase to 15 fish in November.

Recent weather in New Jersey has hampered fishing activity. When conditions are favorable, anglers are catching quality fish such as sea bass, triggerfish, and croakers. Fishing opportunities are expected to improve as weather conditions stabilize, with anglers catching species such as bluefish, croakers, kingfish, striped bass, and weakfish.

Initial trips following the season's opening have yielded mixed results. Some boats have reported good catches of legal-sized fish, while others have faced challenges due to recent offshore storms.

According to the Cape May County Herald, local fishing captains and charters, including Atlantic Adventure, Sea Star III, Stalker Fishing Charters, and Full Ahead Sport Fishing, have been actively fishing for and catching bluefish, croakers, kingfish, sea bass, striped bass, and triggerfish. Anglers are targeting various spots like Townsend's Inlet rock piles and finger jetties. Bait such as green crabs and sand fleas have been employed to catch species including blackfish (tog), bluefish, and others.

The Herald noted that several fishing tournaments have taken place. Recent winners have included Jim Mooney, who scored a 2.55-pound sea bass, Bill Kwas with a 2.75-pound triggerfish, and Jimmy Wilkes with a 2-pound sea bass.