Your Source on LBI for Quality Bait and Tackle!

                                Sunday June 01, 2025

                                              Open Daily 

June hours are Monday thru Saturday 6:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sundays 6:00 am to 3:00 pm

*Hours subject to change due to weather, staffing or unexpected events. Note that we often open before the posted hours - not always but sometimes. If you are on island early just swing by - if the lights are on and the OPEN signs lit up, come on in. 

Fishing has shifted to the beach and there is lots of action: today we have had reports of Kingfish, Black Drum, Striped Bass, Flounder (Fluke), and Bluefish. Clams, Mullet and Bunker are the surf baits right now. Fluke are hitting on Gulp.

FISH PHOTOS! Check out our FISH PHOTO GALLERY - click the Photos tab on the top of the page!

REPORTS! Scroll to bottom for our Blog/Fishing Reports! 

        Sign up here for FREE but MANDATORY New Jersey Saltwater Angler Registry:

       https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/saltwater-registry/

Welcome to Surf City Bait and Tackle - formerly Bruce and Pat's Bait and Tackle and before that Sandy's Bait and Tackle - our shop is the oldest continuously operating bait and tackle shop on Long beach Island - providing quality bait and gear for fishing and crabbing on Long Beach Island since the late 1940's.  Our staff are all avid anglers and are glad to provide you with advice, information and share their knowledge to assist you in having the most fun and success on your fishing and crabbing trips.

Striped Bass: 

Some beautiful Striped Bass have been caught in the surf in the past few days.

Bluefish:

Bluefish of all sizes are being caught in the bay, the inlet and off the beach surf. Bait such as Bunker, Mullet, Butterfish are working great and metal lures and plugs as well. Soft plastics work but the Bluefish chop them up pretty quick!

Black Drum:

A handful of Black Drums are still being caught on the beach. Clams are the best bait for Black Drum.

Fluke:

Fluke (Summer Flounder) began on May 4th and runs through most of September. The limit this year is 3 fish 18" length minimum. Fishing has been very good at times and we expect it to get better. 

In-Store Fluke Contest!

Join our Fluke Tournament which runs thru the end of the season. $10.00 to sign up - $500.00 first prize with a second and third prize as well!

Kingfish:

Kingfish have just started to show up in the past few days.

Crabbing:

Crabbing is going well! It isn't too early - its perfect - grab some bait and go!

Please click on Current Info. (above) or read our Blog Post (below) for more detailed fishing information! 

WE SHIP FISHING TACKLE! 

Can't make it into the shop? Call us at (609) 494-2333 or send us an e-mail at info@surfcitybaitandtackle.com and we will be glad to ship you anything you might need (except bait and rods). We also carry Surf & Bay Rig Co. rigs, made right here in Surf City. Check out the Facebook page for Surf & Bay Rig Co. and contact the shop or Surf & Bay on Facebook to order rigs.

 BAIT! As available we are carrying  Green Crabs, Sand Fleas, Surf Clams, Fresh Bunker, Mullet, Bloodworms and Sandworms, Live Minnows, Squid and a variety of other frozen bait! Call ahead to check and see what we have - availability depends on supply.

We carry a wide variety of fresh and frozen bait for fishing and crabbing. We take great pride in processing high quality bait to give you the best chance for success. Call the shop (609) 494-2333 or send us an e-mail: info@surfcitybaitandtackle.com to check our current supply and availability as many baits become available by season.

            Fresh and Frozen Bait (Availability Varies Check With Us!)

•  FRESH BUNKER (as available in season)
• Frozen BUNKER - many choices: Vacuum sealed (within 24 hours of harvest); Cut and Salted, Fillets, Whole Peanut Bunker
• CLAMS
• CRABBING Bait: Various baits available
• CHUM - Bunker, Fish and Clam
• MACKEREL (Whole and Fillets)
• MULLET: Fresh (in season), Frozen Whole and Salted Mullet Strips
• SMELTS
• SPEARING
• SQUID: Bits, Strips (Plain and Shedder), Boxes and Tube
• SAND EELS
• LIVE Minnows
• LIVE Eels
• LIVE Sand Fleas
• LIVE Green Crabs
• Bloodworms, Sandworms