What Hereford Inlet offers and when to fish it

Hereford Inlet sits at the northern edge of Five Mile Beach in North Wildwood, where the inlet mouth opens directly into Delaware Bay. The water here runs shallow and tidal—depths range from 2 to 8 feet across most of the productive zones—and the inlet's channels and bars hold striped bass, weakfish, and bluefish on predictable seasonal schedules. Spring and fall are the strongest periods: April through May brings spawning stripers moving through the inlet toward freshwater, and September through October brings weakfish and smaller stripers feeding hard before the water cools.

The inlet itself is narrow and fast-moving, especially around the tide change. That current is what makes it work as a fishery—it concentrates baitfish and predators in a small space. Summer fishing is possible but slower; winter is mostly quiet. The real advantage here is access: you can fish from the jetties, wade the flats on either side of the inlet mouth, or launch a boat and work the channels without a long run offshore.

Key Takeaways

  • Hereford Inlet's best fishing happens during spring (April–May) for stripers and fall (September–October) for weakfish and bluefish.
  • Fish the inlet mouth and the channels just inside the bay on moving tides; slack water is usually slow.
  • The north jetty is accessible on foot and holds stripers and blues; the south side offers wading flats for weakfish and smaller stripers.
  • Parking is available at Hereford Inlet Park on the north side, with direct access to the jetty and inlet mouth.
  • Live bunker, mullet, and small eels work best; artificial lures like bucktails and soft plastics produce when baitfish are thick.

Access and parking at Hereford Inlet

The main public access point is Hereford Inlet Park, located at the north end of Wildwood on Sunset Boulevard. The park has a small parking area, restrooms, and a boat ramp. Parking is free, though spaces fill quickly on weekends during peak season. From the parking area, you can walk directly onto the north jetty or access the inlet mouth on foot.

If you're launching a boat, the ramp is straightforward but narrow—it's designed for small to medium skiffs and center-consoles. High tide gives you the most water; at low tide, the ramp can be shallow. There's no fuel or bait shop at the park itself, so bring what you need or stop in Wildwood proper before you arrive.

Wading access is available on both sides of the inlet. The north side (near the park) is easier to reach; the south side requires walking down the beach from Sunset Boulevard or parking along the street and walking over the dunes. Both sides have productive flats, especially on the falling tide when water drains from the bay.

Seasonal patterns and what to target

Spring (April–May): Striped bass move through the inlet on their way upstream to spawn. Fish the inlet mouth and the channels just inside the bay on the incoming tide. Early morning is best. Use live bunker or mullet, or cast bucktails and soft plastics in white or chartreuse. Stripers here run 18 to 35 inches; larger fish are possible but less common.

Summer (June–August): Fishing slows considerably. Water temperatures climb, and most stripers move offshore or into deeper channels. Bluefish may show up in the early morning, and weakfish can be found in the deeper channels at dawn. This is not the time to plan a trip specifically for Hereford Inlet.

Fall (September–October): Weakfish return in numbers, along with smaller stripers and bluefish. The falling tide is often better than the rising tide in fall. Fish the flats on both sides of the inlet and the channels just inside the bay. Live eels and small mullet work well; so do small soft plastics and spoons. Weakfish here are typically 12 to 18 inches.

Winter (November–March): The inlet is largely dormant. A few stripers may linger in the deeper channels, but fishing is unpredictable and water temperatures are cold. Most anglers move to other spots during these months.

Tides, currents, and timing your visit

Hereford Inlet is a tidal fishery, and the tide controls when fish feed. The inlet mouth has a strong current, especially around the peak of the incoming or outgoing tide. Most anglers fish the first two hours of the incoming tide and the first two hours of the outgoing tide; slack water (the 20 to 30 minutes around high and low tide) is usually slow.

Check the tide tables for Cape May or Wildwood before you go. The inlet's tidal range is roughly 4 to 5 feet, which is significant in shallow water. At low tide, some of the flats on either side of the inlet become too shallow to fish effectively; at high tide, water spreads out and fish disperse. Plan to fish the moving tides and be ready to leave if the water gets too shallow or too slack.

Current direction matters too. On the incoming tide, baitfish and predators move into the bay; on the outgoing tide, they move toward the ocean. Both can be productive, but the incoming tide often concentrates fish in the inlet mouth itself, making it easier to find them.

Techniques and tackle for Hereford Inlet

Live bait is the most reliable approach. Bunker (menhaden) and mullet work year-round during the season; eels are especially good in fall. Fish them on a simple rig—a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook on a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader, with a small split shot or no weight at all if the current is strong enough. Cast uptide and let the current carry the bait into the strike zone. Stripers and weakfish will take a live bait confidently.

Artificial lures produce when baitfish are thick. Bucktails in white, chartreuse, or natural colors work well; cast them uptide and work them with a slow, steady retrieve. Soft plastics on a 1/4-ounce jighead are effective for weakfish and smaller stripers. Small spoons (1/2 to 3/4 ounce) can draw strikes from bluefish and aggressive stripers. Topwater lures work at dawn and dusk, especially in fall.

Rod and reel choice depends on your target. A 7-foot medium-action spinning rod with 15-pound braid and a fluorocarbon leader handles stripers and weakfish well. If you're targeting bluefish or expect larger stripers, step up to 20-pound braid. Jetty fishing calls for a slightly heavier setup to handle the structure and current.

What to bring and what to watch for

Bring more water than you think you'll need—the inlet has no shade, and the sun reflects off the water. Sunscreen and a hat are essential. Wading shoes with good grip are worth the investment; the inlet bottom is sandy but can be slippery, and the current is real. A small cooler for your catch keeps fish fresh.

Watch the weather. Hereford Inlet is exposed to the ocean, and wind can kick up the water quickly. A northeast wind can make the inlet rough and unpleasant; a southwest wind is usually manageable. Check the forecast before you leave, and don't hesitate to cut a trip short if conditions deteriorate.

The inlet mouth can be hazardous for small boats, especially on an outgoing tide with wind against the current. If you're launching a boat, stay alert and don't venture into the inlet mouth if conditions look rough. The jetties are solid and well-maintained, but they're slippery when wet and the current can be strong—use caution, especially on the north jetty where wave action is more pronounced.

Nearby alternatives if Hereford Inlet is crowded

If the park is full or fishing is slow, Sunset Lake (also called Sunset Beach) sits just south of the inlet and offers calmer water and good weakfish fishing in fall. The lake is shallower and less tidal than the inlet, making it easier to fish on any tide. Access is from Sunset Boulevard on the south side of the inlet.

Cape May Point, about 3 miles south, offers jetty and beach fishing with similar species and often less crowding. The Point is more exposed to ocean swell, so conditions can be rougher, but it's worth a try if Hereford Inlet is packed.

If you have a boat, the channels and flats inside Delaware Bay (north and east of the inlet) hold stripers and weakfish and offer more room to spread out. The trade-off is a longer run and less convenient access, but the fishing can be excellent during the peak seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boat to fish Hereford Inlet?

No. The jetties and flats are accessible on foot, and most of the productive fishing happens within casting distance of shore. A boat gives you more water to cover and access to deeper channels, but it's not necessary for stripers and weakfish.

What's the best tide for Hereford Inlet?

The incoming tide is usually most productive, especially in spring for stripers. In fall, both incoming and outgoing tides can work, but the first two hours of movement (either direction) are better than slack water. Check the tide table and plan to fish the moving tides.

Can I keep what I catch?

Yes, within New Jersey's size and bag limits. Striped bass must be at least 18 inches; the daily bag limit is one fish per angler. Weakfish must be at least 12 inches; the daily bag limit is five fish. Bluefish have a 12-inch minimum and a 10-fish daily limit. Check the current New Jersey fishing regulations before you go, as limits can change.

Is there bait available near the inlet?

There's no bait shop at Hereford Inlet Park itself. The nearest shops are in Wildwood proper, a few miles away. Bring bait with you or stop in town before you arrive. During peak season, bait shops can run out of live bunker or eels, so call ahead if you're counting on a specific bait.

What happens if I fish at night?

Night fishing at Hereford Inlet is legal but less common than daytime fishing. Stripers and weakfish feed at night, especially in summer when daytime water temperatures are high. The jetty is harder to navigate in the dark, and the current is just as strong. If you try it, bring a headlamp and use caution on the rocks.