Bull Sharks Surge Into New Jersey Waters: Apex Anglers Report Record-Breaking Season

After 15 years, and well over 10,000 hrs sending baits, we’ve been lucky enough to watch the fishery slowly transition into what it is now. About 7 years ago, someone in the land based shark fishing community would catch one. Then maybe one or two the next season, then none the season after that. Last September, there was an event where dozens or hundreds of them showed up during a heavy onshore wind. That seemed to have changed everything.

TOMS RIVER, NJ — What once sounded impossible is now becoming routine: bull sharks are showing up in New Jersey in unprecedented numbers, and Apex Anglers — one of the region’s most experienced land-based shark fishing teams — is documenting the surge in real time.

For years, the idea of catching even one bull shark in New Jersey felt far‑fetched. “If you told us we’d catch even one bull shark up here, we’d have looked at you sideways,” Apex Anglers said. But after 15 years and more than 10,000 hours of sending baits into local waters, the fishery has transformed dramatically.

A Slow Shift That Turned Into an Explosion

About seven years ago, bull shark sightings began trickling in — one caught one season, maybe two the next, then none at all. But last September, everything changed. A heavy onshore wind event pushed dozens, possibly hundreds of bull sharks into New Jersey waters at once.

“That seemed to have changed everything,” Apex Anglers said.

Now, the sharks have returned “with a vengeance,” and this time, they’re not alone. The majority of sharks caught so far are males, with only a few females mixed in — a detail researchers say could be significant.

Fish Apex Anglers

Why Are Bull Sharks Moving North?

Apex Anglers is tagging the sharks with acoustic transmitters to track their movements. The big question: Why are bull sharks suddenly treating New Jersey as a viable feeding ground?

Local anglers and marine enthusiasts have theories:

Warming ocean temperatures pushing southern species north
Declining food availability in traditional habitats
Shifting migratory patterns across the Atlantic
Changing coastal ecosystems

The upcoming tag data may help answer these questions — and possibly reveal new ones.

A Fishery in Transition

Southern species like spinner sharks, blacktips, cobia, cutlassfish, and lizardfish are now common in New Jersey. Meanwhile, historically cold-water species such as whiting, pollock, cod, and winter flounder are becoming scarce.

“It’s very likely the result of warming sea surface temperatures,” one commenter noted. “At the end of the day, it isn’t a good thing.”

Still, for Apex Anglers, the moment is historic.

“Such a sick time to be alive,” one supporter wrote. “Can’t wait to see the data.”

💬 Top Facebook Comment Highlights (Curated for Article Embeds)

Bill Doan: “All southern fish are moving north… Bluefish, mackerel and others are fading out. The water is warming.”
Christopher Gamache: “Welcome to the NJ Everglades.”
Zack Haspel: “How do you even get the hook out of a shark’s mouth without losing your hand?”
Covert Caster: “No food in the ocean. They gotta find it somewhere.”
Lou Listo: “How aggressive are they? Do they attack humans?”
Justin Lerner: “Southern species are becoming more common. Cold-water species are disappearing. It isn’t a good thing.”
Max Frank: “They’re all over the northeast now — caught one in Montauk.”
Dave Perdue: “Four bulls in NJ!? Very exciting to see.”
Mishhy Casaletto: “Weren’t the NJ shark attacks that inspired Jaws actually bull sharks?”
Rl Goodyear: “Hope you assholes get bit.”
Sharon Pavlick: “That’s awesome.”
John Beatty: “Do you announce when you’ll be fishing? I’d love to see it in person.”
Leslie Mangold: “Off the beach?!”
Jason Romantzas: “No more clamming for me.”