Weekend Warriors: 6-Hour Barnegat Bay Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure targeting bass and flounderSmall group experience with maximum six guests aboardProfessional guide service through Barnegat Bay waters
Nothing beats a solid weekend fishing trip, and Barnegat Bay Adventures knows exactly how to make your Saturday or Sunday count. This top-rated 6-hour charter takes you right into the heart of New Jersey's most productive inshore waters, where striped bass and flounder are waiting to test your skills. Captain and crew have been working these waters for years, and they'll put you on fish whether you're targeting the bay's grass flats or making moves toward the inlet. With space for just 6 anglers, you get that personalized attention that makes all the difference between stories and actual fish in the box.
Your day starts at the dock in Brick Township, where the captain will brief you on conditions and game plan for the trip. Barnegat Bay's shallow waters and structure-rich bottom make it a customer favorite for inshore fishing, especially when the bass are pushing bait against the shoreline. You'll cover both bay and ocean depending on what's biting – some days that means working the back bay channels for keeper fluke, other times it's running to the inlet mouth where stripers are stacked up on the current breaks. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. Six hours gives you plenty of time to hit multiple spots, adjust techniques, and really dial in what the fish want. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, so whether you're a weekend warrior or fishing rookie, they'll keep you hooked up.
This isn't your average party boat fishing – with only 6 spots, you get to use techniques that actually work. For striped bass, expect to throw everything from live eels around structure to bucktails bounced along channel edges. When the bass are feeding shallow, you might find yourself casting topwater plugs or working soft plastics through the grass. Flounder fishing here is all about reading the drift and keeping your sinker bouncing bottom with the right bait presentation. The captain will have you rigged with traditional fluke rigs, and they know exactly where to position the boat so your offering looks natural drifting with the current. Depending on conditions, you might also drop some crab traps or work the clam beds – this crew believes in making the most of every trip. They provide all tackle, but if you've got favorite lures or rods, bring them along. The shallow water and varied structure means techniques change throughout the day, keeping things interesting and productive.
Striped bass are the bread and butter of Barnegat Bay, and for good reason. These fish range from schoolie-size 18-inchers up to keeper bass pushing 30+ inches, with the occasional trophy fish that'll test your drag system. Spring and fall are prime time when bass are feeding heavily, but summer fishing can be world-class if you know where to look. What makes stripers so special here is how they use the bay's structure – you'll find them around docks, bridge pilings, and channel edges where the current brings food. They're aggressive fighters that will give you everything from screaming runs to bulldogging battles near the boat. The variety keeps you guessing, since you never know if that next bite will be a quick schoolie or the fish of the trip.
Southern flounder, or summer flounder as most locals call them, are the perfect complement to bass fishing in these waters. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury in sandy bottom waiting for bait to drift overhead, and Barnegat Bay's expansive flats provide perfect habitat. Keeper fluke here typically run 18-24 inches, with some doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds showing up for anglers who know where to look. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the subtlety – you need to feel that gentle tap and set the hook before they realize something's wrong. The best action usually happens on moving water when these fish are actively feeding, and the crew knows exactly which spots produce based on tide and time of year. Summer months are peak season, but spring and fall can surprise you with some of the biggest fish of the year.
Weekend trips with Barnegat Bay Adventures fill up fast, especially during prime fishing season when both bass and flounder are cooperating. This 6-hour format gives you the perfect balance of productive fishing time without burning your whole weekend, and the small group size means you're not fighting crowds for rail space or the captain's attention. Whether you're looking to put meat in the freezer or just need some time on the water away from the daily grind, this charter delivers the goods. The crew's local knowledge and commitment to putting clients on fish has made them a go-to choice for serious anglers who want results. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing weekends book weeks in advance, and you don't want to be stuck watching other boats head out while you're stuck on shore.
Hit the waters of Brick Township aboard this well-equipped motorboat, perfectly rigged for a solid day of inshore fishing. With space for up to 6 anglers, this boat comes loaded with everything you need to find and catch fish - a reliable fish finder to locate schools, GPS to keep you on productive spots, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the bass are finicky. The onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh while you're working the flats and channels around Barnegat Bay. A built-in head means no cutting trips short, so you can stay focused on the bite whether you're after flounder in the deeper channels, working the shallows for stripers, or dropping crab traps. The boat handles well in bay conditions and gives you access to both protected waters and nearshore ocean spots when conditions allow.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our waters here in New Jersey. These silver beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we've seen some real monsters pushing 50+. They're structure-oriented fish, so we find them around drop-offs, jetties, and along the surf line. Spring through fall migration brings the best action - they're heading north in spring and south in fall, feeding heavily. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste amazing, and give you that heart-pounding moment when they hit your bait. Here's a local tip: focus on moving water around dawn and dusk. Use live bunker or eels near structure, and don't be afraid to fish right in the white water along the beach. These fish love the current and aren't shy about feeding in the surf.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise and one of the most rewarding flatfish to target in our waters. These oval-shaped bottom dwellers typically run 15-18 inches, but we catch plenty up to 25+ inches weighing several pounds. They bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters, waiting to ambush prey. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before moving offshore for winter. What guests love about flounder fishing is the subtlety - you feel that gentle tap, set the hook, and suddenly you're fighting a strong, flat fish that knows how to use the current. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is using bull minnows or live shrimp on a light jig head, bouncing it slowly along sandy bottoms. Keep your drag light and let them run when hooked.
Brick Township, NJ