What You'll Find at Estes Pier

Estes Pier is a public fishing pier in Atlantic Highlands that juts into the Shrewsbury River, giving you access to tidal flats and deeper channels where striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish move through with the seasons. The pier is short—roughly 200 feet—but it's positioned where current funnels baitfish, so you don't need to cast far to find fish. The real advantage here is that you can fish it on foot without a boat, and the pier structure itself holds small stripers and blues year-round.

The pier is owned and maintained by the borough, and it's open to the public during daylight hours. Parking is tight—there's a small lot nearby, but it fills fast on weekends. The pier itself has railings and is in decent repair, though like most working piers on the Jersey shore, it can be slippery when wet or covered in algae. Bring sneakers with grip, not smooth-soled shoes.

Key Takeaways

  • Estes Pier fishes best during spring and fall when striped bass and bluefish move through the Shrewsbury River on their way to and from deeper water.
  • You can fish the pier without a license if you're using a hand line or rod and reel for personal use, but check current New Jersey regulations before you go.
  • The pier is short and crowded on weekends, so arrive early in the morning or fish on weekday afternoons to find space and calmer conditions.
  • Live baitfish—bunker, mullet, or sand eels—outfish cut bait here because the current is strong and live bait stays in the strike zone longer.

Seasonal Patterns and What Bites When

Spring (April through May) brings the first serious run of striped bass moving north. They're hungry after winter and will hit live bunker or mullet fished on the bottom near the pier pilings. Bluefish show up a few weeks later and are aggressive on anything shiny—small metal spoons or live baitfish work equally well. Water temperature is still cool, so fish move slower and stay deeper; fish the deeper side of the pier where the channel drops off.

Summer (June through August) is slow. The water warms, baitfish scatter, and the big stripers move offshore or into deeper river channels. You'll catch smaller fish and the occasional blue, but most experienced anglers skip this season or fish at dawn and dusk when the water is cooler. Weakfish (also called sea trout) show up in July and August if you're patient and use small live shrimp or sand eels.

Fall (September through November) is the best season. Striped bass return in force as they move south, and they're feeding hard to build fat for winter. Bluefish are aggressive and plentiful. The water cools, baitfish return, and the pier gets crowded—but the fishing justifies it. Fish the same live bait tactics as spring, but expect larger fish and more of them.

Winter (December through March) is unpredictable. Some years the pier stays productive if the water doesn't freeze solid; other years it's nearly dead. Stripers linger in the deeper channels, but they're sluggish and harder to locate. If you fish winter, bring heavy tackle and fish the bottom with live or fresh-dead bunker.

What Tackle and Bait to Bring

A medium-action spinning rod (6 to 7 feet) with 15- to 20-pound braided line is the standard setup. Braided line cuts through current better than monofilament and gives you more sensitivity to feel what's happening on the bottom. Tie a 2- to 3-foot fluorocarbon leader (20- to 25-pound test) to the end to reduce visibility in clear water.

For terminal tackle, use a simple three-way rig or a fish-finder rig when fishing the bottom: a barrel swivel, a short dropper with a sinker (1 to 3 ounces depending on current), and a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook. Circle hooks are better than J-hooks because they hook fish in the corner of the mouth and rarely gut-hook them. If you're casting small spoons or plugs for bluefish, you don't need a rig at all—just tie the lure directly to your leader.

Live bait is the best choice here. Bunker (menhaden) is the gold standard for stripers; you can buy it fresh at local tackle shops or catch it yourself with a cast net if you know where the schools are. Mullet works almost as well and is easier to find. For weakfish and smaller stripers, live sand eels or small shiners are deadly. If live bait isn't available, fresh-dead bunker or squid will catch fish, but expect fewer bites.

Access, Parking, and Hours

Estes Pier is located at the foot of First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, right where the street meets the water. There's a small municipal parking lot nearby, but it holds maybe a dozen cars and fills quickly on weekends. Your best bet is to arrive before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m. on weekdays. If the lot is full, street parking is available on First Avenue and nearby residential streets, though you'll need to check posted signs for time limits.

The pier is open during daylight hours year-round. There's no gate or fee, but the borough does maintain it, so respect the space—don't leave trash, don't damage the railings, and don't block the pier for other anglers. The pier can get crowded on nice weekends, especially during spring and fall runs, so if you want elbow room, fish on weekdays or during poor weather when most people stay home.

There are no facilities on the pier itself—no bathrooms, no water, no shade. Bring what you need: sunscreen, a hat, water, and a small cooler if you plan to keep fish. The pier is exposed to wind and sun, so dress in layers even if the forecast looks calm.

Regulations and Licensing

New Jersey does not require a fishing license for residents or non-residents fishing from a public pier or bulkhead using a hand line or rod and reel for personal use. However, regulations change, and certain species have size and creel limits. Before you fish, check the current New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations for striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish—the minimum sizes and daily limits vary by species and can change year to year.

Striped bass in New Jersey typically has a 18-inch minimum size and a daily limit of one fish per angler (though this varies). Bluefish usually has a 12-inch minimum and a 10-fish daily limit. Weakfish has a 12-inch minimum and a 5-fish daily limit. These numbers change, so verify them on the NJDFW website or call their hotline before you go. If you're keeping fish, bring a measuring device and know the rules.

Tips for Success at Estes Pier

Fish the tide change—the hour before and after high or low tide is when current slows and baitfish bunch up. Stripers and blues feed most aggressively during these windows. If you're fishing slack tide (the hour around high or low), you'll catch fewer fish. Check a tide table for Atlantic Highlands before you go and plan your trip around the turn.

Fish the pilings and the edges of the pier structure. Small stripers and blues hide in the shadows and current breaks created by the pier legs. Cast your live bait close to the pilings and let it work naturally. Don't just cast to open water and wait—structure matters on a short pier.

Bring more bait than you think you'll need. The current is strong, and you'll lose rigs to snags and broken line. Having extra bait means you can stay in the water longer instead of running back to the tackle shop. A small cooler with ice keeps bait fresh and alive.

If you're new to the pier, arrive on a weekday morning and talk to whoever's fishing. Most anglers are friendly and will tell you what's biting, what depth to fish, and where to position yourself. Local knowledge is worth more than any guide, and the pier community is usually generous with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to fish Estes Pier?

No. New Jersey does not require a license for rod and reel or hand line fishing from a public pier. However, you must follow all size and creel limits for the species you're targeting. Check the current NJDFW regulations before you fish to make sure you know the rules for striped bass, bluefish, or whatever you're after.

What's the best time of day to fish here?

Early morning (sunrise to 9 a.m.) and late afternoon (4 p.m. to sunset) are most productive because water is cooler and baitfish are more active. Avoid midday in summer. Fish the tide change—the hour before and after high or low tide—when current slows and fish feed most aggressively.

Can I keep fish I catch at Estes Pier?

Yes, as long as they meet the minimum size and you don't exceed the daily creel limit. Striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish are the main species, and each has different size and limit rules that change annually. Measure your fish before you keep it and know the current regulations.

Is the pier crowded, and when should I avoid it?

Yes, especially on weekends during spring and fall. If you want space and fewer people, fish on weekday mornings or afternoons. Nice weather brings crowds; poor weather (rain, wind, cold) keeps most people away and can actually improve fishing because fewer anglers means less disturbance.

What should I do if I hook a large fish I can't land alone?

Ask nearby anglers for help—most will drop their lines to assist. Keep your rod tip up and steady, let the drag do its job, and don't horse the fish. If it's a large striper or blue, it may take 10 to 15 minutes to land. Stay patient, and the pier community will back you up.