Offshore Wreck Fishing in New Jersey
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8hour offshore wreck fishing targeting sea bass, cod, and lingSpotLock technology maximizes fishing time on productive wrecksSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests per charter
Looking to get away from the crowds and hook into some serious bottom fish? Our 8-hour offshore wreck fishing trips with Barnegat Bay Adventures put you right where the big ones live. We're talking about hitting the best wrecks off New Jersey's coast, where sea bass stack up like cordwood and cod prowl the structure looking for an easy meal. With only 4 anglers max, you'll have plenty of elbow room and all the personal attention you need to put fish in the cooler. Our crew knows these wrecks like the back of their hand, and we're not just dropping you over random numbers – we're putting you on the honey holes that produce fish day after day.
This isn't your typical party boat drift. We run a tight ship focused on one thing – putting meat on the deck. The day starts early with a run out to our proven wreck sites, usually 15-25 miles offshore depending on conditions and where the fish are biting best. Once we're on the numbers, we use spot-lock technology to hold position right over the structure. No more drifting off the wreck halfway through your drop – you'll be fishing the prime real estate the entire time. The crew will get you set up with the right tackle and bait, then it's game on. Expect to be working jigs, dropping chunk baits, and maybe throwing some bucktails if the fish are aggressive. With 8 full hours on the water, there's plenty of time to work multiple wrecks and adjust tactics based on what's producing.
Here's where we separate ourselves from the pack. Most boats just anchor up or drift over structure, but we use advanced GPS spot-lock systems to hold position exactly where we want to be. This means we can put you right on the sweet spots – the high points, edges, and debris fields where predator fish ambush baitfish. We're talking conventional tackle with enough backbone to pull fish up from 60-100 feet of water. Heavy jigs, circle hooks, and fresh bait are the name of the game. The crew will show you how to feel the bottom, work your bait in the current, and detect those subtle taps that turn into bent rods. Don't worry if you're new to wreck fishing – we'll get you dialed in quick. Experienced anglers will appreciate the quality gear and prime fishing spots that most weekend warriors never see.
Summer Flounder might be the glamour species, but don't sleep on these doormat fluke when they're holding on offshore structure. These fish grow big and fat feeding on the abundant baitfish around the wrecks. We're seeing fish in the 3-8 pound range regularly, with some true doormat fluke pushing double digits. They're most active during the warmer months from May through October, and they love live bait presentations. What makes fluke so exciting is the fight – they're strong, stubborn fish that don't give up easy. Plus, there's nothing better than fresh fluke fillets on the dinner table.
Black Sea Bass are the bread and butter of New Jersey wreck fishing, and for good reason. These stocky bottom dwellers are aggressive feeders that stack up on structure in impressive numbers. We're targeting keeper-sized fish in the 1-4 pound range, though bigger fish in the 5-6 pound class show up regularly. Sea bass are year-round residents on these wrecks, but they're most active from late spring through fall. They'll hit just about anything – jigs, chunk bait, even bare hooks if you're in the right spot. What anglers love about sea bass is the consistency. When you find them, you usually find a lot of them, and they're excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Atlantic Cod are the prize fish that keep serious wreck fishermen coming back. These North Atlantic natives can grow huge, and the deeper wrecks off New Jersey hold some genuine trophies. We're seeing cod in the 5-15 pound range on our trips, with the occasional monster pushing 20-30 pounds. Cod are most active in cooler water, making fall through early spring the prime time. They're ambush predators that lurk around structure waiting for baitfish to get too close. When a big cod hits, you'll know it – they fight hard initially then turn into dead weight that tests your arms and back. The meat is legendary, and a cooler full of cod fillets will keep your family fed for weeks.
Bottom line – if you want to experience world-class wreck fishing without the crowds and chaos of party boats, this is your trip. Eight hours of fishing the best structure off New Jersey with a crew that lives and breathes these waters. The small group size means personalized attention, better fishing spots, and more fish per angler. Whether you're a seasoned wreck rat or new to offshore fishing, we'll put you on fish and show you techniques that'll make you a better angler. Don't bring lunch – we're too busy fishing to eat anyway. Just bring your fishing license, some drinks, and get ready to load up the cooler. These trips fill up fast during peak season, so grab your dates now before someone else takes your spot on the water.
This fully-rigged motorboat is built for serious wreck fishing off the Jersey coast. With a reliable fish finder to mark productive spots and GPS to navigate directly to the hottest wrecks, you'll spend more time with lines in the water. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when working structure, while Spot-Lock technology holds you right over the fish. An onboard ice box keeps your sea bass, cod, and ling fresh for the ride back to dock. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with a head onboard for those long 8-hour trips targeting deep water wrecks. Perfect for bottom fishing where the big fish hang out in the offshore waters.
Gadus MorhuaAtlantic cod are making a comeback in our waters, and they're a real treat to target on the deeper wrecks. These guys average 2-4 feet long with that distinctive barbel under their chin and mottled coloring. We find them on rocky bottoms and structure in deeper water, usually 100+ feet where it stays cooler. Winter months can be productive when they move closer to shore. What makes cod special is their legendary table quality - that flaky white meat has fed people for centuries. They're smart fish that change color to match their surroundings and can live 30 years. When targeting cod, I always tell my guests to bring heavy gear - 50-pound class rods work best. Chrome diamond jigs work great, but fresh clam strips on a high-low rig often outfish everything else.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the bread and butter of our wreck fishing trips. These chunky members of the grouper family average 2-4 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 6-8 pounds on the deeper structures. They love hanging around rocky bottoms, wrecks, and hard structure in 60-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is when they move inshore and stack up on our offshore wrecks. What guests love about them is the solid fight they put up and the fantastic eating - firm white meat that's perfect for the table. Here's something cool: they're born female and change to males as they grow larger. My tip? Use a two-hook rig with squid strips and don't be afraid to work the water column - sometimes the bigger males suspend off the wreck.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are one of New Jersey's most prized flatfish, typically running 15-20 inches with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing 26 pounds. These "chameleons of the sea" blend perfectly with sandy bottoms around wrecks and structure, lying flat with both eyes on their left side. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. What makes them special is their incredible table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They'll ambush everything from sand eels to small bluefish. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap on bottom, let them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook - flounder bite sideways and need time to turn the bait.
Brick Township, NJ