What Money Island Beach Offers

Money Island Beach is a small, quiet barrier island in Cumberland County at the southern tip of New Jersey, accessible only by boat or a long drive down a narrow causeway. The beach itself is narrow and rocky in places, backed by salt marsh and bay water rather than open ocean. This is not a swimming destination — it's a working fishing community where the appeal is the water access, the calm bay conditions, and the species that live in the shallows and channels around the island.

The primary draw for anglers is the Delaware Bay side, where you can fish from the shore, wade into shallow flats, or launch a boat. Striped bass, weakfish, and summer flounder move through these waters seasonally. The bay here is relatively protected, making it suitable for small boats and kayaks even when ocean conditions are rough elsewhere on the coast. The island itself has a handful of houses, a marina, and a boat launch, but no restaurants, shops, or lodging — you bring what you need or stay in nearby Fortescue or Bridgeton.

Key Takeaways

  • Money Island is accessible by vehicle via a causeway from Fortescue, about 45 minutes south of Atlantic City, and offers bay fishing rather than ocean fishing.
  • Striped bass, weakfish, and summer flounder are the main species, with seasons running spring through fall, and the bay staying fishable even in rough ocean conditions.
  • A boat launch and small marina are on-site, but there is no lodging, fuel, or food — plan to bring supplies or stay in Fortescue, three miles away.
  • New Jersey saltwater fishing requires a license unless you fish from a licensed charter or party boat, and striped bass have specific size and season restrictions that change yearly.
  • The causeway can flood during nor'easters and king tides, and cell service is spotty, so check weather and road conditions before driving out.

How to Reach Money Island Beach

From the Atlantic City area, take Route 49 south toward Bridgeton, then follow signs to Fortescue. Once in Fortescue, a narrow causeway extends about three miles to Money Island itself. The drive takes roughly 45 minutes from Atlantic City and about 90 minutes from the central Jersey Shore. The causeway is the only road in and out, and it floods during nor'easters and spring king tides — check local weather and road conditions before you go, especially in March, April, September, and October.

There is a public boat launch at Money Island with a small parking area. The launch fee is typically a few dollars, though this can change. Launching a kayak or canoe is free. If you don't have a boat, you can fish from the shore along the causeway and around the marina area, though access is limited and you'll be fishing in shallow bay water rather than deeper channels. Cell service is unreliable on the island, so download offline maps and let someone know your plans.

What Species to Target and When

Striped bass are the primary target from April through November, with the strongest fishing in May and June as they move into the bay to feed. They range from schooling fish under two pounds to stripers over 30 pounds, though most are in the 15- to 25-pound range. Striped bass have a minimum size of 18 inches and a maximum of 28 inches in New Jersey state waters (the 28-inch upper limit applies to the Delaware Bay), with a daily limit of one fish per angler. These regulations change yearly, so check the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website before you fish.

Weakfish (also called sea trout) arrive in May and stay through September, feeding in the shallows and channels around the island. They are smaller than stripers, typically 12 to 18 inches, and are aggressive on small artificials and live bait. Weakfish have no size limit in the bay, though the state has experimented with seasonal closures to rebuild the population — verify current rules before fishing.

Summer flounder (fluke) move into the bay in June and stay through September. They hold on sandy bottoms and channel edges in 8 to 15 feet of water, so you need a boat to fish them effectively. The minimum size is 19 inches, and the daily limit is five fish. Flounder are bottom feeders and respond well to live baitfish and small jigs.

Tackle, Bait, and Technique

For striped bass from shore or in shallow water, use 7- to 8-foot spinning rods with 15- to 20-pound braided line and a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. Topwater plugs, soft plastics (4 to 6 inches), and live bunker or mullet all work. Fish the edges of channels and the deeper water near the causeway pilings, especially at dawn and dusk. If you're wading, move slowly and cast ahead of structure.

Weakfish respond to smaller artificials — 2- to 3-inch soft plastics, small spoons, and shrimp imitations. Use 10- to 15-pound line and lighter tackle than you would for stripers. Fish the shallows and grass edges at high tide when the water floods into the marsh.

For flounder, you need a boat and a bottom-fishing setup: a conventional or spinning rod, a three-way rig or a simple jig head with a live baitfish or squid strip. Drift or anchor on the deeper flats and work the bottom slowly. Flounder are not aggressive — let the bait sit and move it only slightly.

Regulations and Licensing

New Jersey requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 and older who fishes in state waters, including the Delaware Bay. You can purchase a license online through the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website or at tackle shops in Fortescue and Bridgeton. A three-day license costs less than a full-year license if you're visiting for a short trip. If you fish from a licensed charter or party boat, the captain's license covers you.

Striped bass regulations are strict and change yearly. In recent years, the state has imposed slot limits (a range of sizes you can keep) and seasonal closures to manage the population. Check the Division of Fish and Wildlife website for the current year's rules before you fish. Weakfish and flounder also have size and bag limits that vary by year. Possession of undersized fish is illegal, even if you plan to release them, so measure before you keep anything.

Where to Stay and Resupply

Money Island itself has no lodging, restaurants, or shops. The nearest town is Fortescue, three miles away, which has a few small motels, diners, and a tackle shop. Bridgeton, about 15 miles away, has more options including chain hotels and supermarkets. If you're planning a day trip, bring all your food, water, and fuel — there is no place to buy anything on the island.

The marina at Money Island has a fuel dock, though hours are limited and it closes in winter. Call ahead to confirm it's open before you rely on it. Parking at the boat launch is free or low-cost, but spaces fill quickly on weekends during peak season (May through June).

Best Times to Fish Money Island

May and June are the peak months for striped bass, when the water is warming and fish are actively feeding. The bay is calmer than the ocean during this period, making it safer for small boats and kayaks. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, and early morning (first two hours after sunrise) and evening (last two hours before sunset) are the most productive times.

July and August are warm and can be slow midday, though early morning and evening fishing remains good. September and October see another push of striped bass as they prepare to leave the bay, and the weather is often more stable than spring. Winter fishing is possible but limited — water temperatures drop, fish move deeper, and the causeway becomes more prone to flooding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Money Island without a boat?

Yes, you can fish from shore along the causeway and around the marina, but access is limited and you'll be fishing in shallow water. A boat or kayak gives you access to deeper channels and flats where larger striped bass and flounder hold. If you don't have your own boat, consider a charter from Fortescue or Bridgeton.

What should I do if the causeway floods?

Do not attempt to drive across a flooded causeway — it is dangerous and illegal. Check road conditions and tide forecasts before you leave. If you're already on the island when flooding occurs, wait it out at the marina or a local house. Nor'easters and king tides are the main culprits; these are most common in March, April, September, and October.

Is Money Island good for beginners?

The bay fishing is calmer and more forgiving than ocean fishing, making it suitable for newer anglers. However, the isolation and lack of services mean you need to be self-sufficient. Bring extra water, a first aid kit, and a fully charged phone. A guided charter from Fortescue is a better option if you're new to the area.

What's the difference between striped bass and weakfish?

Striped bass are larger, with dark stripes running along their sides, and are more aggressive on lures. Weakfish are smaller, with a silvery body and a dark back, and prefer smaller baits and artificials. Both are found in the bay, but stripers are the primary target for most anglers.

Do I need a boat to fish Money Island?

A boat is not required, but it greatly expands your options. Shore fishing is possible but limited to shallow water near the causeway and marina. A kayak or small center console opens up the flats and channels where most of the larger fish hold. If you don't own a boat, charter services in Fortescue offer half-day and full-day trips.