Full Day Keyport Ocean Bottom Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Ninehour offshore charter targeting Black Seabass and FlukeAll equipment, bait, and professional guidance included onboardWeekend departures from Keyport with sixperson capacity
Get ready for nine solid hours of ocean bottom fishing just minutes from the New Jersey coast. This full-day charter targets some of the most reliable eating fish in local waters – Black Seabass and Summer Flounder. Captain Dragan runs a tight ship aboard his 28-foot Carolina Classic, and with only six anglers max, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a decent day and a cooler full of fillets. We're talking serious bottom fishing here, not some crowded party boat where you're elbow-to-elbow with fifty other people.
Your day starts early at 6 AM sharp from Keyport Marina – coffee's recommended but not provided. The ride out to the productive bottom structure takes about thirty to forty-five minutes, giving Captain Dragan time to brief everyone on techniques and safety. This isn't a casual half-day trip; we're heading to the real deal offshore structure where the bigger fish hang out. The Carolina Classic is built for this type of fishing, with a comfortable layout, onboard head, and professional outriggers that keep lines separated when the action heats up. Everything you need is provided – rods, reels, terminal tackle, and fresh bait. The captain and mate handle all the technical stuff like finding fish, anchoring on structure, and keeping everyone's lines untangled. Your job is simple: drop your rig to the bottom, feel for that telltale tap, and set the hook. Available weekends only during peak season, so spots fill up fast with regulars who know this is one of the better operations running out of Keyport.
We're fishing classic high-low rigs and bucktails depending on conditions and what's biting best. The mate will set you up with the right weight to hold bottom in the current – usually anywhere from six to twelve ounces depending on tide and wind. Bait varies but typically includes squid strips, sea clams, and sometimes fresh killies when the fluke are being picky. The key to success is feeling the bottom and knowing when a fish picks up your bait versus when you're just bouncing rocks or debris. Captain Dragan and his mate are constantly moving around the boat, checking rigs, re-baiting hooks, and coaching anglers on technique. They'll teach you to distinguish between the sharp tap of a seabass and the subtle pickup of a fluke. Structure fishing means we're anchored up on wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom that holds fish consistently. GPS technology gets us to the right spots, but reading the fishfinder and understanding how fish relate to structure is where experience pays off. The mate handles all the gaffing and netting, plus he'll clean your catch at the end of the day for tips.
Summer Flounder remain the most sought-after species on these trips, and for good reason. These flatfish are absolute masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and ambushing prey that swims overhead. Fluke in New Jersey waters commonly run anywhere from keeper size at 18 inches up to door-mats pushing six or seven pounds. The bigger females are the real prize – they fight harder and provide serious table fare. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the best action typically in deeper water as summer progresses. What makes fluke so exciting is their aggressive strike when they decide to eat; one second you're bouncing bottom, the next your rod tip is getting hammered. These fish are notorious for short strikes, so the mate will teach you to drop back, count to three, then set the hook hard.
Black Seabass are the bread-and-butter of this fishery, and honestly, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean. These chunky bottom dwellers love structure – the rockier and more complex, the better. They travel in schools, so when you find them, you usually find them good. Seabass are aggressive feeders and will often hit anything that looks like food dropping past their territory. The minimum size is 15 inches, but the bigger fish in the 3-4 pound range are what everyone's after. They fight surprisingly hard for their size, using their broad sides and stubborn nature to test your drag. Unlike fluke, seabass typically eat the whole bait in one shot, making them more predictable to hook up. The action can be fast and furious when you're on a good school.
Lingcod show up as bonus fish on these trips, and when they do, it's usually a pleasant surprise. These toothy predators are less common than seabass and fluke but make up for it with attitude. Lingcod have nasty-looking teeth and will eat just about anything that fits in their mouth, including other fish on your line. They're excellent table fare despite their ugly appearance, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. Most lingcod caught on these trips run in the 2-4 pound range, though bigger specimens do show up occasionally.
This is exactly the kind of fishing that keeps people coming back to New Jersey waters year after year. Captain Dragan knows these grounds like the back of his hand, and his track record speaks for itself. With only six spots available and weekend-only scheduling, this trip books up well in advance during prime season. No fishing license required means one less thing to worry about – just show up ready to fish. The combination of professional equipment, experienced crew, and productive fishing grounds makes this a solid choice for both beginners and experienced anglers. Whether you're looking to fill the freezer with quality eating fish or just want to spend a day on the water learning proper bottom fishing techniques, this charter delivers consistent results. The price includes everything except tips for the mate and your own food and drinks. Book early, show up on time, and get ready for some of the best bottom fishing New Jersey has to offer.
Jump aboard our 28' Carolina Classic and head out to the productive ocean waters off Keyport for serious seabass and fluke action. This well-rigged fishing machine comes loaded with outriggers, professional tackle, and everything you need for a successful day targeting bottom fish. Captain Dragan knows these waters inside and out, and with the boat's fish finder and GPS, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility when working the fishing grounds, while the onboard toilet, refrigerator, and even a bed keep everyone comfortable during the full nine-hour trip. With radar for safety and a professional mate to help with rigging and netting your catch, this boat handles up to 6 anglers looking for quality ocean fishing. All your rods, reels, bait, and tackle are included – just bring yourself and get ready to fill the coolers with fresh seabass and fluke from New Jersey's prime offshore fishing spots.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are our main target species on these Keyport trips, and for good reason. These stocky, dark fish typically run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional larger specimens over 4 pounds showing up on the deeper wrecks. They're structure-oriented fish that love hanging around shipwrecks, rocky bottom, and artificial reefs in 40-100 feet of water. Prime season runs May through December when they're feeding heavily inshore. Guests appreciate their aggressive nature - they'll hammer squid strips, clams, and jigs with authority. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in our waters. Here's a local tip: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and run a bit - sea bass often mouth the bait first before committing to the bite.
Ophiodon ElongatusWhile lingcod aren't native to our New Jersey waters, they're worth mentioning for their legendary reputation on the West Coast. These aggressive predators can grow massive - up to 80+ pounds with huge mouths full of sharp teeth. They're ambush hunters that live around rocky reefs and kelp forests, typically 30-300 feet deep. Available year-round, they're known for their fierce territorial nature and willingness to fight rather than flee when hooked. Anglers love targeting them for their powerful battles and excellent eating quality. The meat is firm and white, perfect for grilling. A key tip from West Coast guides: use heavy braided line since they live in rocky terrain, and metal jigs work great. Once you pull them away from their rocky hideouts, they're surprisingly manageable despite their intimidating appearance.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing trips here off Keyport. These chunky, dark-colored fish average around a foot long and 1-2 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 4-5 pounds on the deeper wrecks. They love hanging around hard structure - old shipwrecks, rocky bottom, and artificial reefs where they feed on crabs, squid, and small fish. Best fishing runs from late spring through early fall when they move inshore. What guests love about sea bass is their aggressive nature and excellent fight for their size, plus they're absolutely delicious eating. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. My go-to tip: once you hook up, keep your line tight and get them up quickly - they'll try to wrap you around the structure and break you off.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke," are one of the most popular targets off New Jersey waters. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, though we see plenty of "doormat" sized fish pushing 5+ pounds during peak season. They're masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms where they ambush baitfish. We find them from late spring through fall on our ocean grounds, usually in 20-60 feet over mixed sand and shell bottom. What makes fluke fishing so appealing is their willingness to hit both live bait and jigs, plus they're phenomenal table fare. The key trick I share with guests is to work your bait slowly along the bottom - fluke bite sideways, so give them time to turn the bait before setting the hook. Their unique flat profile and aggressive strikes make every hookup exciting.
undefined, undefined