Belmar Full Day Private Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8-hour private charter targeting Mahi Mahi and Bluefin TunaCaptain Matt guides groups of up to 6 passengersEarly 6 AM departure includes fish cleaning and filleting
Captain Matt knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put your group of six on some serious fish. This 8-hour private charter out of Belmar takes advantage of the early morning bite, starting at 6 AM when the fish are most active and the competition is still sleeping in. You'll have the boat to yourselves, which means no crowded rails, no strangers hogging the best spots, and Captain Matt's full attention on putting you on fish. We're talking about a legitimate shot at some of New Jersey's top gamefish – Mahi Mahi, Bluefin Tuna, Atlantic Bonito, Scup, and Flounder. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip where you're just along for the ride. You'll be hands-on with the whole process, from fighting the fish to cleaning your catch at the end of the day.
Your day starts before dawn at Belmar Marina, where Captain Matt will have the boat prepped and ready to roll. The early start isn't just for show – it's strategic. The water is calmer, bait is more active, and predator fish are feeding hard before the sun gets high. You'll head out into the Atlantic where the structure and temperature breaks hold the kind of fish that make this area famous among serious anglers. The boat is set up for comfort during the long haul, but make no mistake – this is a fishing trip, not a pleasure cruise. When the rods start bending, everyone needs to be ready to jump into action. Captain Matt runs a tight ship and expects his anglers to be engaged and ready to learn. The payoff is worth it when you're fighting a 30-pound Mahi or watching a Bluefin Tuna peel line off your reel.
Captain Matt deploys a variety of techniques depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. For the pelagic species like Mahi and Tuna, you'll be trolling with outriggers, running a spread of lures and ballyhoo that covers different depths and speeds. When we mark fish on the finder or spot birds working, we'll switch to live bait or chunk bait to get them fired up. The bottom fishing for Flounder and Scup involves different tactics entirely – we're talking about precision drops on structure with the right sinker weight and bait presentation. All tackle is provided, from the heavy conventional reels for the big fish down to the lighter spinning gear for the bottom species. Captain Matt will match the tackle to the target and teach you how to work each setup effectively. Don't worry if you're not an expert – part of what makes this trip special is learning from someone who's been putting people on fish for years.
Mahi Mahi are the crown jewel of summer fishing off New Jersey, and when they show up, they make the trip memorable. These fish are pure muscle and attitude, averaging 10-30 pounds with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 40-plus. They hit hard, jump high, and fight until the bitter end. Mahi typically show up in July and stick around through September, following the warm water and bait schools. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there are usually more around. The bite can be explosive – one minute you're scanning empty water, the next minute you've got three rods bent at once.
Bluefin Tuna represent the ultimate challenge in these waters. These are apex predators that can range from school-sized fish in the 30-50 pound class up to giants exceeding 100 pounds. They're incredibly strong, smart, and will test every piece of tackle on the boat. Bluefin can show up any time during the season, but fall tends to produce the most consistent action as they follow the bunker schools south. Landing one is a team effort and an achievement that serious anglers remember for years.
Atlantic Bonito might be smaller than their Tuna cousins, but they make up for size with speed and numbers. These 5-15 pound speedsters are perfect for lighter tackle and provide non-stop action when they're around. They school up in huge numbers and feed aggressively on small baitfish, creating some of the most exciting surface action you'll see. Bonito are also excellent table fare when handled properly – firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Scup, also known as Porgy, are the bread and butter of bottom fishing in this area. They might not be glamorous, but they're plentiful, they bite consistently, and they're outstanding eating. These 1-3 pound fish school up over structure and provide steady action when the bigger fish aren't cooperating. They're perfect for teaching beginners how to feel the bite and set the hook properly.
Southern Flounder are the flats masters, hugging the bottom and ambushing baitfish with lightning-fast strikes. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes – a 5-pound doormat is a real trophy, and anything over 3 pounds is a keeper you'll be proud to take home. Flounder fishing requires finesse and patience, but the reward is some of the best eating fish in the ocean. They're most active during tide changes when bait gets stirred up and pushed around.
This is the kind of fishing trip that books up fast, especially during peak season when the bite is hot. Captain Matt's reputation for putting clients on fish means his calendar fills up with repeat customers and referrals. An 8-hour private charter gives you the flexibility to chase whatever's biting without worrying about other people's preferences or experience levels. You'll have the time to move spots, try different techniques, and really learn the fishery. Plus, having the boat to yourselves means you can take your time with photos, cleaning fish, and enjoying the experience without feeling rushed. The early morning start might seem brutal,
Step aboard our 36-foot Cape Horn center console, the perfect fishing machine for your Belmar adventure. This beauty runs on twin 350HP engines that'll get you to the fish fast, while the spacious layout comfortably handles your crew of six. Captain Matt's ride comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - GPS and fishfinder to locate those Mahi and Bluefin hotspots, plus radar for when Jersey weather gets moody. The live bait well keeps your offerings fresh, outriggers spread your lines wide for trolling, and the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them. Pack your lunch in the icebox, and don't worry about bathroom breaks during those long 8-hour days - there's an onboard head so you never miss the bite. Whether you're battling tuna or filling the cooler with flounder, this well-equipped vessel puts you in the best position to make the most of New Jersey's productive waters.
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are fast, aggressive fish that run in large schools and put up a solid fight for their size. These silver speedsters with dark stripes typically weigh 3-8 pounds and can hit 40 mph when chasing bait. You'll find them in open water from late spring through fall, often feeding on the surface where diving birds give away their location. They're not great table fare here in Jersey, but they make fantastic bait for bigger game like tuna and stripers. When you see a school feeding, they'll hit almost anything you throw at them - small spoons, jigs, or even chunks of mackerel. Pro tip: once you hook into a school, keep multiple rods ready because they'll stay fired up and you can load the boat quickly.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin tuna are the ultimate prize fish - powerful, fast, and built like torpedoes. These giants average 200-400 pounds in our waters, but we see fish pushing 600+ pounds during peak season from June through November. They roam the deep water beyond the canyons, often following bait schools. What sets them apart is their raw power - they'll make blistering runs and sound deep, testing every piece of your gear. The meat is world-class, especially for sashimi. We typically troll with spreader bars and natural baits, or chunk with fresh butterfish when we mark fish. Heavy tackle is a must - 80-130 pound gear minimum. Here's my advice: when you hook one, let it run initially and don't horse it. These fish will fight until exhausted, so patience and steady pressure win the day.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most colorful and fun fish you'll target offshore. These golden beauties average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds, with males having that distinctive blunt forehead. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, or anywhere there's structure in the blue water. They're here from late spring through early fall when water temps hit the mid-60s or better. What makes them special is their fight - they'll jump, run, and put on a real show. Plus, they're hands down some of the best eating fish in the ocean. When trolling, make your baits skip on the surface to get their attention. Here's the key: once you hook one, leave it in the water while you grab more rods - mahi travel in schools and the hooked fish will keep the others around.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as the old-timers call them, are some of the best eating fish we catch and they're abundant from May through October. These silvery bottom dwellers typically run 1-3 pounds around here, with occasional 4+ pounders that'll surprise you. You'll find them over rocky bottom, around wrecks, and near structure in 20-80 feet of water. They're not glamorous fighters, but what they lack in power they make up for at the dinner table - sweet, flaky white meat that's tough to beat. We target them with squid, clams, or sea worms on light tackle. The bite is usually subtle, so stay alert. Best trick I can share: once you find a good school, they'll stick around for a while, so work the area thoroughly and don't be afraid to go back to spots that produced earlier in the day.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are masters of disguise that lie flat on sandy and muddy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged until they ambush passing prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds, though we catch some real doormat-sized fish pushing 8+ pounds. They're found in shallow bays, around structure, and near drop-offs where they can bury in the sand. Spring and fall are prime time when they're moving between inshore and offshore waters. People love targeting them because they're relatively easy to catch and make outstanding table fare - sweet, white, flaky meat. We fish them with bucktails tipped with squid or live minnows, bouncing bottom in 10-40 feet. The key is feeling that subtle tap - flounder don't slam baits like other fish, so keep a light touch on the rod and set the hook on anything that feels different.
Point Pleasant Beach