Inshore/Midshore Trolling with Aquila Sportfishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Striped Bass, Tuna, Bluefish, and Bonito speciesExpert captain and crew guide all experience levelsSmall group fishing with maximum six guests aboard
Ready to get your lines wet and chase some serious fish? Aquila Sportfishing's inshore and midshore trolling trips put you right where the action happens. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, Captain and crew know exactly where to find the fish and how to put them in the boat. With space for up to 6 anglers, this isn't some crowded cattle boat – you'll have room to fight your fish and enjoy the experience without bumping elbows.
These trips target the sweet spots where inshore meets midshore waters, giving you the best of both worlds. You'll be trolling prime feeding areas where Striped Bass, Tuna, Bluefish, and Bonito love to hunt. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will adjust tactics based on what's biting that day. Some days you might stay closer to structure for stripers, other times you'll push out a bit further where the tuna are busting bait. The crew handles all the heavy lifting – rigging lines, netting fish, and making sure your drag is set right. All you need to do is hang on when that rod doubles over. Don't worry if you've never been trolling before; they'll walk you through everything from how to work the rod to reading the fish finder. The boat is equipped with top-rated gear, so you won't be fighting fish with bargain tackle.
Trolling is all about covering water and presenting lures at the right speed and depth. The captain runs a spread of different lures – maybe some spoons for bluefish, tube rigs for stripers, and cedar plugs when the tuna are around. You'll be pulling lures behind the boat at various distances, creating a natural-looking school of baitfish that predators can't resist. The boat's electronics do the heavy lifting when it comes to finding fish, but reading the water is still an art. Bird activity, bait schools, and temperature breaks all play a role in where you'll set up. When a fish hits, you'll know it immediately – trolling strikes are aggressive and sudden. The key is staying relaxed and letting the rod and reel do the work. The crew will coach you through the fight, making sure you don't horse the fish or give it too much slack. Most of the gear is medium to heavy action, perfect for handling anything from a scrappy bluefish to a bulldogging striper.
Striped Bass are the bread and butter of these waters, and for good reason. These fish are pure muscle, especially the bigger ones that can push 30+ pounds. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavily during their migrations. Stripers fight smart – they'll use the current, dive deep, and make long runs that'll test your patience. What makes them a customer favorite is their predictability; when conditions are right, you can usually count on hooking up. Albacore Tuna bring a completely different energy to the trip. These speedsters can hit 40+ mph and will take you into your backing in seconds. Summer months are best for albacore, when they follow the warm water and bait schools. The fight is all about endurance – they don't give up easy and will circle under the boat, testing every knot in your setup. Bluefish are the aggressive bullies of the bunch, hitting lures with authority and fighting dirty all the way to the boat. They're around most of the season and always willing to bite, making them perfect confidence builders for new anglers. Those razor-sharp teeth and never-quit attitude make every bluefish memorable. Atlantic Bonito might be smaller than their cousins, but pound-for-pound they're some of the strongest fish you'll tangle with. These little torpedoes show up in late summer and early fall, often mixed in with other species. They're spectacular jumpers and will zigzag all over the place, making them a blast on lighter tackle.
This world-class trolling experience gives you everything you need for a day you'll be talking about for months. The combination of diverse species, expert guidance, and prime fishing grounds makes this a trending choice for both locals and visitors. You're not just buying a fishing trip – you're getting access to decades of local knowledge and proven techniques that consistently put fish in the boat. The 6-person limit ensures everyone gets personal attention and plenty of chances to get on the rod. Whether you're looking to check striped bass off your bucket list, test your skills against a tuna, or just spend a day doing what fish do best – making memories – this trip delivers. The crew's enthusiasm is contagious, and their commitment to putting you on fish shows in every aspect of the experience. Don't wait around hoping for the perfect conditions or wondering if the fish are biting. The best trip is the one you actually take, and these waters are consistently productive throughout the season. Give Aquila Sportfishing a call and get your name on the list – the fish are out there waiting, and the crew knows exactly where to find them.
Thunnus AlalungaThese bullet-shaped speedsters are some of the tastiest fish in the ocean - they're the only tuna that can legally be called "white meat tuna." Most albacores we catch run 20-45 pounds and 18-25 inches, though they can get bigger. They travel in massive schools up to 19 miles wide in deeper offshore waters, which makes for some fantastic action when you find them. Best fishing happens from March through July during their spawning season. What makes them special is that constant fight - these fish never stop moving since they need to swim to breathe. The meat is firm, mild, and perfect for the grill. Pro tip: when you hook the first one, work fast because if it gets away, it'll spook the whole school and they'll vanish. Keep your lures 50-90 feet behind the boat and you'll be in business.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are like small torpedoes - silver bullets that can hit 40 mph when they're running. Most weigh 3-12 pounds and look similar to tuna but with a more compressed body and distinctive black stripes. You'll spot schools feeding on the surface in midshore waters, often with their dorsal fins cutting through like mini sharks. They school up in huge numbers during summer months, creating feeding frenzies that draw diving birds - that's your cue to get lines in the water fast. While they're not great eating here in the States (too oily), the speed and fight more than make up for it. These fish will hit almost anything when they're feeding actively. The trick is fishing fast - troll quickly with small lures or cast into the chaos when you see birds working. Once you find a school, work it hard because the action can be non-stop.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that'll give you a real fight on the line. These blue-green bruisers typically run 5-20 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. You'll find them in bays, along surf beaches, and around structures during their summer visits from mid-June through October. They're famous for their feeding frenzies - what we call a "bluefish blitz" - where they'll churn the water like a washing machine attacking schools of baitfish. The smaller "snappers" in late summer are perfect for beginners and kids. While the meat can be excellent when fresh, it's really the fight that keeps people coming back. These fish hit hard and don't give up easy. My tip: use a wire leader because those teeth will cut through regular line like butter, and watch your fingers when unhooking them.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of our inshore fishing, running anywhere from 20-40 pounds with those distinctive black stripes down their silver sides. These structure-loving fish hang around drop-offs, reefs, and shoreline areas where they hunt for baitfish. Spring through fall migration brings the best action as they move up and down the coast following water temps between 55-68°F. What guests love most is the combination of strong fights and excellent table fare - striped bass has sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're smart fish though, often picky about baits. Dawn and dusk are prime times when they move shallow to feed. Here's the key: find moving water near structure and use live bait like herring or eels. These fish are suckers for a properly presented live eel drifted along the bottom near rocky areas.
Beach Haven, NJ