Pier fishing has been a New Jersey legacy since 1828, when the Jersey Shore’s first pier on the Atlantic Ocean coastline opened in Long Branch. Piers have remained viable destinations for fishing all over northern/central New Jersey for decades, and some of the top fishing piers in the state are found in Keansburg, Carteret, Keyport, Hoboken, and Port Monmouth.
What’s more, fishing from New Jersey piers in the northern and central section of the state is typically—but not always—free, making them accessible to anyone looking for a breezy, inexpensive fishing experience. For those looking for live or frozen/cut bait, some piers even have bait shops on-site or nearby; others require a quick pit stop.
Long Branch was at the forefront of pier fishing throughout the 1800s—including one pier that was 872 feet long—until deep into the 1900s. When the latest iteration of the Long Branch Pier burned down in June 1987 after a wind-whipped fire destroyed it in a matter of hours, the seaside city in Monmouth Country remained without a pier for almost 40 years.
That’s about to change.
While plans are nearing completion, construction of the new Long Branch Pier for fishing and other recreational activities will begin this summer/fall and open in late 2026, according to Long Branch Mayor John Pallone, a native who fished for the first time off one of the city’s piers as a child with his father and brother (congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.).
“The pier has been a big part of Long Branch,” Pallone said. “It’s part of our who we are, our identity,” Pallone said.
The new Long Branch Pier, which will feature a dedicated fishing area at its T-shaped head and is expected to have fish-cleaning stations, will be approximately 550 feet long, 20 feet wide and sit 25 feet above the water’s surface (depending on the tide). There will also be an octagonally shaped structure in the middle of the pier for seating and some food/beverage options area also being considered.
The pier is being funded by more than $8 million in grants from New Jersey state agencies, with $3.25 million from the Boardwalk Preservation Fund and $5 million from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund.
Those familiar with the pier in the ‘80s recalled that the Long Branch Pier was one of the best spots in northern/central New Jersey for fishing because the structure’s lighting and pilings attracted crustaceans and sand eels (particularly at night), which then attracted ling, blackfish (tautogs), striped bass, whiting, and, in the fall, fluke.
“It’s as simple as this: The pier will attract bait and the bait will attract fish,” said Mike Gleason, co-owner of TAK Waterman, a fishing and surf gear outfitter in Long Branch. “I love to fish … so getting a new pier in Long Branch sounds pretty cool.”
Until the new Long Branch Pier is built, anglers have plenty of other piers to fish in northern/central New Jersey. Here are some of the top ones to consider:
Keansburg
When the conversation turns to pier fishing in northern/central New Jersey, the massive pier in Keansburg, which has an amusement park nearby, is the first destination mentioned.
One of the only piers in northern/central New Jersey to charge admission ($12 for adults, $6 for children over 48 inches tall), the privately-owned Keansburg Fishing Pier in the Atlantic Highlands area stretches almost 2,000 feet into Raritan Bay. There’s a tackle shop for rod and scoop-net rentals, along with fresh and frozen bait. The fishing action is best in the spring and fall, especially for stripers and bluefish. The summer and early fall provide opportunities to catch fluke—savvy anglers prefer weekdays using live minnows—but the area gets crowded on weekends with jet skiers and other recreational watercraft. Once the weather starts to cool, the crowds thin out. The pier typically closes at 10 p.m. nightly, but hours are sometimes extended.
Port Monmouth
Part of the 227-acre Bayshore Waterfront Park in Port Monmouth, the 495-foot fishing pier offers anglers outstanding fishing action on Raritan Bay and views of the New York City skyline in the distance. Beginning in the spring and lasting well into the fall months, bluefish, striped bass, flounder, and blue crabs can all be caught from the pier, along with an occasional horseshoe crab.
The pier is open all year and is wheelchair accessible. Bayshore Waterfront Park also features plenty of sandy beachfront, which can be a sweet respite if the fish aren’t hitting from the pier.
Keyport
Another pier in the Atlantic Highlands area of New Jersey, the Keyport Pier is a viable option, especially when the Keansburg Pier gets too crowded. It’s a much shorter pier, but like Keansburg, it features strong fishing opportunities in the spring through fall. Fishing heats up in June, with everything from stripers, bluefish, flounder, and an occasional bonito all hitting. Crabbing is also popular on the pier, and if nothing’s biting, the nearby waterfront park offers plenty of other diversions.
The pier entrance and parking lot are both wheelchair accessible and areas of the pier are covered. During the summer months, the pier closes at 11 p.m. nightly, but opens at 6 a.m.
“Pier fishing has a cool legacy in our area. Long ago, I remember reading that several [U.S.] presidents used to fish off the piers,” said Gleason. “From a fishing and tourism perspective, I hope the piers continue to attract attention.”
Hoboken
While it’s primarily known as a nightlife destination with plenty of restaurants, bars, and music, the Mile Square City on the Hudson River directly across from New York City also offers some outstanding fishing opportunities. While there are several piers in town located off Frank Sinatra Drive (in honor of the city’s favorite son), the walkway and fishing pier below the Stevens University campus is a key fishing location and offers spectacular views of the New York City skyline.
The pier can get busy in the early morning and right before dusk most days as anglers look to hook up with fluke, sea bass, stripers, croakers, and whiting.
Carteret
Similar to what’s scheduled to take place in Long Branch, improvements continue to be made along the Carteret waterfront, including the addition of a three-season food pavilion connected to 700-foot Veteran’s Pier in Waterfront Park.
It’s expected open this summer and add to the appeal of one of the hidden gems for pier fishing in northern/central New Jersey, providing anglers with a clean, comfortable fishing spot on the Arthur Kill with views of Staten Island.
Fishing during the early summer months off the pier in Carteret can yield stripers ranging in weight from 20 to 30 pounds, along with bluefish tipping the scales at 8 to 12 pounds. More blues and snappers typically emerge in the fall, along with smaller stripers in the 24- to 36-inch range.
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