Belmar Blackfish Full Day Private Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 8hour charter targeting blackfish and striped bassCaptain Matt guides up to 6 guests on inshore watersEarly 6 AM departure with catch and keep policy
Captain Matt's 8-hour blackfish charter out of Belmar is the kind of trip that gets serious anglers talking. Starting at 6:00 AM when the water's still glassy and the fish are waking up hungry, this private charter gives you and up to five buddies exclusive access to some of the Jersey Shore's hottest fishing grounds. You'll be targeting blackfish (tautog) along with black sea bass, striped bass, Atlantic cod, and if luck's on your side, maybe even a thresher shark. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking a full commitment to putting fish in the cooler.
This charter runs as a top-rated private experience, meaning no strangers crowding your space or rushing your fishing time. Captain Matt knows these Belmar waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on structure where the blackfish love to hang out. The early morning start gives you the best bite window – blackfish are notorious for being picky eaters, but they're most active when the sun's low and the boat traffic is minimal. You'll spend the day bouncing between productive spots, adjusting tactics based on what's biting. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to really dial in the bite and fill your coolers. Captain Matt provides all the tackle and knows exactly what baits work best for each species you'll encounter.
Blackfish fishing is all about finesse and feel – these fish are masters at stealing bait without getting hooked. Captain Matt sets everyone up with sensitive rods that let you feel every tap and nibble. You'll be using traditional blackfish rigs with green crabs, asian crabs, and sometimes clams, depending on what the fish are hitting. The technique involves dropping your bait right into the structure where tautog feed – rocky bottoms, wrecks, and reefs. It's a waiting game that requires patience, but when a keeper blackfish grabs your bait, you'll know it. For the striped bass and sea bass, we'll switch up tactics with different rigs and baits. If we hook into a thresher shark, that's when things get really interesting – Captain Matt will break out the heavy tackle and you'll be in for the fight of your life.
Tautog, or blackfish as locals call them, are the main target and arguably the best eating fish in these waters. These chunky, hard-fighting fish love hanging around structure and can live over 40 years, with some monsters reaching 10+ pounds. Fall and early winter are prime time for blackfish – they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them so exciting is their fight and their incredible table fare. They're notoriously difficult to catch, which makes landing a keeper that much more satisfying.
Black sea bass are customer favorites for good reason – they're abundant, cooperative, and absolutely delicious. These fish range from keeper size around 15 inches up to real slobs pushing 4-5 pounds. They school up around the same structure as blackfish, making them perfect combo targets. Sea bass hit aggressively and put up a scrappy fight for their size. Plus, they're one of the most reliable species in these waters.
Atlantic cod are the wild cards that can make your trip legendary. While not as common as they once were, when you hook into a cod in Belmar waters, you're looking at a fish that could easily top 20 pounds. These fish are most active in cooler months and prefer deeper water. Cod are powerful fighters and make excellent table fare – there's nothing quite like fresh cod fillets after a successful day on the water.
Thresher sharks represent the ultimate prize fish for this charter. These prehistoric predators can stretch over 10 feet long, with their signature whip-like tail making up nearly half their body length. Hooking a thresher means you're in for a 30+ minute battle that'll test your endurance and Captain Matt's boat handling skills. While they're catch-and-release only, the experience of fighting one of these ocean giants is something you'll never forget.
This world-class private charter gives you the best shot at filling your cooler while enjoying a full day on some of New Jersey's most productive fishing waters. With Captain Matt's local knowledge, top-notch equipment, and commitment to putting you on fish, this 8-hour adventure delivers the kind of fishing memories that keep anglers coming back season after season. The early start time, private boat setup, and diverse species opportunities make this a trending choice among serious fishermen who want maximum fishing time and minimum crowds. Don't wait – prime fall blackfish season books up fast, and spots on Captain Matt's boat are always in high demand.
Step aboard this well-appointed 43' Egg Harbor sportfisher, your floating command center for pursuing Belmar's prime blackfish and beyond. Twin 450HP engines deliver the power to reach productive fishing grounds quickly, while the spacious cockpit gives all six anglers room to work their lines without crowding. Captain Matt knows these waters inside and out, using the onboard fish finder and GPS to put you on the hottest spots for tautog, striped bass, sea bass, and even thresher sharks. The flybridge offers excellent visibility for spotting bird activity and structure, while the climate-controlled cabin provides a comfortable retreat between fishing sessions. A full galley keeps everyone fed, the refrigerator and icebox preserve your catch and refreshments, and the multimedia system adds entertainment during travel time. Private head and sleeping quarters round out the amenities on this serious fishing machine that's built for all-day comfort and productivity on the water.
Gadus MorhuaAtlantic Cod are solid fish that usually run 2-4 feet and can hit 80+ pounds, though most we catch are smaller. You'll find them near the bottom in rocky or sandy areas, typically 40-200 feet deep off our coast. They've got that distinctive barbel under their chin and white lateral lines running down their sides. Winter through early spring is prime time when they're spawning and more active. Guests love them because they're great eating - flaky, mild white meat that's hard to beat. They'll hit squid strips, clams, and chrome jigs pretty readily. My tip: when you're bottom fishing for cod, use a bouncing sinker rig and keep your bait moving slightly off the bottom. They like to feel that action before they commit to the bite.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, hard-fighting fish that typically run 1-4 pounds, though bigger ones push 8+ pounds in deeper water. You'll find them around wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. What's cool is they're all born female and change to male as they grow - the big blue males with the hump on their head are the prize catches. Guests love them because they fight hard until they break the surface, and they're fantastic eating with firm, flaky white meat. Squid strips and clams work great on a two-hook bottom rig. My advice: once you hook one, keep the pressure on and get them up quick. They'll try to dive back into the structure and cut you off.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, or blackfish as most locals call them, are the bulldogs of our local waters. These chunky fish average 1-3 pounds but can reach 25+ pounds around rocky structure and wrecks. They've got powerful jaws built for crushing crabs and mussels, which makes them great fighters once hooked. Spring through fall is prime time, especially April through August when they're most aggressive. What guests love is the challenge - they're smart fish that live in snaggy bottom where you'll lose plenty of tackle. The meat is excellent too, firm and sweet. Green crabs are deadly bait, but here's the key: crush up some crab shells and let the pieces drift down to create a scent trail. Fresh bait every 5 minutes is crucial since they'll ignore dead bait quickly.
Alopias VulpinusThresher Sharks are the acrobats of the shark world with that massive tail that's as long as their body. Most run 12-16 feet and around 500 pounds, but they can get much bigger. We find them in open water 40-50 miles offshore where they hunt baitfish using that whip-like tail to stun their prey. Late spring through fall is your best shot at one here off Belmar. What makes them special is the fight - these fish can hit 30 mph and sometimes leap clear out of the water. It's a sight you won't forget. Fresh mackerel or sardines work best, and I like to troll them at 25-50 feet deep around bait schools. Pro tip: use a strong 8-10 foot leader because even though their mouths are small, that tail can wrap your line in a heartbeat.
Point Pleasant Beach