Premium 8 Hour Private Belmar Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour private charter targeting Mahi Mahi and Bluefin TunaCaptain Matt guides groups of up to 6 anglersEarly 6 AM departure maximizes prime fishing time
Captain Matt's got something special waiting for you out of Belmar – an 8-hour private charter that'll have you and five of your crew chasing some of New Jersey's hottest fish. We're talking early morning departure at 6 AM when the bite is prime and the water's still got that glassy look. This isn't your typical party boat deal where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers. You get the whole boat, the captain's full attention, and first dibs on the best fishing spots along the Jersey coast. Pack your cooler with ice because you're going to need it for the haul you're about to bring back to the dock.
Your day kicks off before sunrise because that's when the magic happens. Captain Matt knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not wasting any time getting you to where the fish are feeding. The boat's rigged and ready with top-shelf tackle, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your fishing license and whatever snacks keep you going. We'll be working a mix of techniques depending on what's biting – from trolling the deeper channels for tuna and mahi to dropping lines near structure for flounder and scup. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is you've got time to really dial in the bite and adjust your strategy. When things get hot, we stay on the fish. When they're finicky, we move around until we find the action. That's the advantage of going with someone who lives and breathes these waters.
We're running a variety of setups depending on what's showing up on the fish finder. For the pelagics like mahi and tuna, we'll have the outriggers out with ballyhoo and cedar plugs, working the temperature breaks and weed lines where these fish love to cruise. The bonito fishing calls for lighter tackle and smaller presentations – these fish are fast and finicky, but when you hook into a school, it's game on. For the bottom fish like flounder and scup, we're dropping rigs with fresh bait to structure and drop-offs where these guys hang out waiting for an easy meal. Captain Matt's got all the gear dialed in, from the heavy conventional setups for the big tuna down to the spinning gear that makes fighting a nice fluke feel like the battle it should be. The boat's equipped with quality electronics to mark fish and structure, plus all the nets, gaffs, and tools you need to get your catch safely on board.
Atlantic Bonito are the speedsters of this fishery, typically running 3-8 pounds of pure muscle and attitude. These silver bullets show up in good numbers from late summer through fall, and they'll absolutely smoke your drag when they take off on their initial run. What makes them special is their willingness to eat artificials – small spoons, tiny jigs, and sabiki rigs will get crushed when you find a feeding school. They're also fantastic on the table, with meat that's darker and richer than their skipjack cousins.
Mahi Mahi are the poster fish for offshore excitement, and when they're around Belmar, it's pure gold. These fish are absolutely gorgeous with their electric colors, and they put on a show when hooked – jumping, tail-walking, and fighting hard right to the boat. Most of our mahi run 10-25 pounds, though bigger bulls are always possible. They love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. The meat is white, flaky, and perfect for the grill, making them a favorite target for groups looking to fill the cooler with quality eating fish.
Scup, or porgy as the old-timers call them, might not be the flashiest fish in the ocean, but they're consistent producers and excellent table fare. These guys are structure-oriented, hanging around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom in 20-80 feet of water. They'll eat just about anything you drop down – squid, clams, marine worms, even small jigs. A good scup runs 1-3 pounds, and they're perfect for keeping the action steady when the bigger fish aren't cooperating. Plus, they're one of the best eating fish in the ocean – sweet, white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a classic fish fry.
Bluefin Tuna represent the holy grail of Northeast fishing, and Belmar's proximity to the canyons means we've got legitimate shots at these ocean giants. The fish we typically see range from school-sized fish in the 30-60 pound range up to larger fish that can push 100 pounds or more. These fish are pure power – when a bluefin takes your bait and decides to sound, you'll understand why serious fishermen obsess over them. The fight can last 30 minutes or more on appropriate tackle, and the sashimi-grade meat is absolutely unmatched. Bluefin fishing is highly regulated, so Captain Matt stays current on all size and bag limits to ensure everything's done by the book.
Southern Flounder are the flatfish prize of the inshore scene, and New Jersey's got some of the best fluke fishing on the East Coast. These fish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish, squid, and crabs to swim by. A keeper fluke starts at 18 inches, but the fish that get everyone excited are the "doormat" fluke – those thick, 5-10 pound fish that stretch the tape to 25 inches or more. They're incredibly good eating, and the bigger fish provide enough fillets to feed the whole crew. Fluke fishing requires patience and technique – you're often working jigs tipped with strip baits or whole squid along the bottom, feeling for that subtle tap that signals a fish has picked up your offering.
Captain Matt's 36-foot Cape Horn center console is built for serious fishing off the Jersey coast. Twin 350HP engines get you to the productive waters quickly, while the fishfinder and GPS help locate schools of mahi, tuna, and flounder. The boat handles six anglers comfortably with plenty of deck space for fighting fish. Outriggers let you spread multiple lines when trolling for pelagics, and the live bait well keeps your offerings fresh. A wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need to sneak up on spooky fish. The onboard toilet means no cutting trips short, and the icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. With radar for those foggy mornings and a cutting station for cleaning your fish, this setup has everything needed for a productive day targeting the diverse species that call New Jersey waters home.
Sarda SardaThese silver speedsters with dark stripes are like the motorcycles of the ocean - they can hit 40 mph when chasing baitfish. You'll typically find them in schools of hundreds, feeding on the surface and creating quite a commotion that attracts diving birds. They average 8-12 pounds and love our coastal waters from late spring through fall when water temps stay in the 60s. While they're not table fare here in the States, they put up a wild fight and make great bait for bigger game. Once you spot birds working, get any lure in the water fast - when they're feeding, bonito will hit almost anything. Pro tip: use a wire leader since their razor-sharp teeth can easily cut through mono when they're thrashing around.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the giants we dream about - these torpedo-shaped fish average 100-200 pounds but can push 400+ in our waters. They roam deep offshore structure, canyon edges, and follow bait schools through late spring and summer. What drives anglers crazy for bluefin is the combination of brute power and world-class table fare. When you hook one, you're in for long runs and deep dives that'll test your tackle and stamina. The meat is prized worldwide for sashimi - rich, buttery, and worth every bit of effort. These fish are smart and spooky, so we often chunk with fresh herring or troll cedar plugs in the early morning hours when they're most active. Key tip: once you're hooked up, clear all other lines immediately and be ready for a marathon fight. Keep steady pressure but let the fish run when it wants to - trying to horse them in will just break you off.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the golden beauties of offshore waters, running 15-30 pounds on average with that distinctive blunt forehead on the bulls. They're surface dwellers that love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in blue water. Summer and early fall are prime time when they push up our coast following warm water. What makes guests love targeting mahi is the spectacular fight - they jump, run, and put on a real show. Plus, the meat is some of the best eating you'll find offshore with that mild, sweet flavor. The color changes when you boat them are something to see too. Here's the key: when you hook one, leave it in the water while others cast around the boat. Mahi travel in schools, and that hooked fish will keep the rest around for multiple hookups.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as the old-timers call them, are these silvery, deep-bodied fish that show up inshore from May through October. They typically run 1-2 pounds, though we get some nice 3-pounders around structure. You'll find them on rocky bottom, around pilings, and near wrecks where they cruise looking for mussels and crabs to crush with those strong jaws. They're not flashy fighters, but what makes guests appreciate scup is how good they eat - firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also one of the easier fish to catch, making them great for kids and new anglers. The secret is using small hooks with squid or clam, and fishing right on the bottom. When you feel that steady tapping, don't set the hook hard - just lift up smoothly since their mouths are small but tough.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that unique "flatfish" look that fascinates anglers. They typically run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds around our inshore waters. You'll find them on sandy and muddy bottoms in bays, inlet mouths, and shallow coastal areas, especially during their fall migration. Guests love flounder because they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The challenge is detecting their subtle bite - they don't slam baits like other fish. Drift fishing with bucktails tipped with squid or live minnows works best, keeping your bait right on the bottom. Here's the trick: when you feel weight or a slight tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them chew it for a few seconds, then lift smoothly - they have small mouths and will drop the bait if rushed.
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