Your Source on LBI for Quality Bait and Tackle!

                                Sunday August 24, 2025

                                              Open Daily 

SEPTEMBER HOURS STARTING THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH

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.

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

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

        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 1930'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.

Blackfish/Tautog: - the season opened August 1st and as is typical gets better each week. Action for small fish started out great. Yesterday numerous keepers were caught. We have live Sand Fleas as available, Live Green Crabs and lots of frozen Sand Fleas and Shrimp. Bait availability varies daily. Call the shop to find out what we have the day of.

In-Store Blackfish Contest - underway now thru mid-November! $10 sign up. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes. 1st prize is a full mounted replica of the winning fish. Rules are longest length fish wins, land based from Long Beach Island - rod and reel only.

Summer Flounder/Fluke:

Fluke (Summer Flounder) - we still have a little over a month to go for Fluke season 2025. Unsure what the recent storm did but many Fluke were being caught right up to the storm. Typically, we get an up-tick in Fluke fishing during the Mullet run which should be happening soon. 

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! Sign up!

Kingfish:

Kingfish are being caught regularly. There are Kingfish in the bay and surf. Most are being caught in the surf. Try Sandworms, Bloodworms, Sandworms, Shrimp, Sandfleas or of course, Fishbites for bait. We carry all of these baits.

Bay Fishing: 

The bay has much to offer - Croakers, Spots, Fluke, Blowfish, Black Sea Bass, etc. Small hook rigs with worms, shrimp, squid or Fishbites all work well.

Bluefish:

Some Bluefish are being caught as they make their daily run through the inlet. Snapper Bluefish are in the bay chasing spearing around. Snapper Poppers, small metal lures and spearing are the bait.

Striped Bass:

Paddletails and Swim Shad type lures are working for a handful but regular catch of Striped Bass at night for those folks who are putting the time in.

Crabbing:

Crabbing is exceptional this year - grab some bait and go! Don't forget about our Kid's Crabbing Contest - click on tab above for details. We currently in the final week of the weekly contest for summer of 2025.

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