Keyport NJ Striped Bass Guided Trip - Afternoon
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour striped bass fishing trip in Raritan Bay watersProfessional 28' Carolina Classic boat with all gear includedPeak spring migration season from April through June
Looking for a solid half-day striper trip without the early morning wake-up call? This six-hour afternoon charter out of Keyport puts you right in the heart of Raritan Bay's spring striped bass action. From April through early June, this stretch of water becomes a highway for migrating stripers, and you'll be fishing the prime spots with a captain who knows exactly where they're staging. The 1:30 PM departure gives you time to grab lunch and still get a full afternoon of quality fishing time on the water.
You'll be fishing aboard a well-equipped 28' Carolina Classic that's built for serious striper fishing in these waters. The boat comes rigged with outriggers for spreading your lines and keeping them clear of each other - crucial when you're working schools of fish. With only six anglers max, there's plenty of elbow room at the rail and no fighting for prime spots. The onboard head means you won't have to worry about bathroom breaks cutting into your fishing time. Your captain and mate handle all the heavy lifting - they'll set up your rods, tie your rigs, and net your fish so you can focus on the fun part. Everything's included in your trip cost: rods, reels, tackle, lures, and you're covered under the boat's fishing license.
Spring stripers in Raritan Bay respond well to a mix of trolling and live bait fishing, depending on what the fish are telling you on any given day. The crew typically starts with umbrella rigs and tube-and-worm combinations pulled behind the boat at varying depths. When the fish are holding deep, they'll use wire line to get down to them. If birds are working and bait is on the surface, you might switch to casting bucktails or throwing live bunker. The outrigger setup lets you cover more water and run different lure types at the same time. Your mate will adjust trolling speeds based on water temperature and fish activity - usually somewhere between 2-4 knots depending on conditions.
Striped bass are the main event here, and for good reason. These fish are built like torpedoes and fight like they mean it. During the spring migration, you'll encounter fish ranging from schoolies around 20 inches up to keeper-sized bass pushing 30-plus inches and weighing 10-15 pounds. The bigger fish - what locals call "cows" - can hit 20-30 pounds and will test your drag system. What makes stripers special is their unpredictability. One minute they're lazily picking at your bait 30 feet down, the next they're crashing topwater lures in a feeding frenzy. They're also incredibly structure-oriented, so your captain will work drop-offs, channel edges, and underwater humps where these fish love to ambush baitfish. The spring run typically peaks in late April through May when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 50-60 degrees.
This afternoon trip hits the sweet spot for anglers who want quality fishing without sacrificing their entire day. The spring striper window is relatively short - just two months - so spots fill up fast once word gets out that the fish are moving through. Six-person capacity means you're getting personalized attention from the crew, but it also means fewer available dates. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in on spring stripers or someone new to the game wanting to learn proper techniques, this trip delivers. The Keyport location puts you minutes away from productive water, maximizing your fishing time. Book early to lock in your preferred dates during peak migration season.
Hit the waters of Raritan Bay aboard our 28' Carolina Classic, perfectly rigged for chasing striped bass during their prime spring migration. This spacious motorboat handles up to 6 anglers and comes loaded with outriggers, premium tackle, and all the gear you need for a successful afternoon on the water. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility while scanning for feeding fish, and our fish finder helps pinpoint schools moving through the bay. Captain Dragan knows these waters inside and out, putting you on active bass from the 1:30 PM departure through the golden evening hours. The onboard refrigerator keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, while the private toilet and radar system add comfort and safety to your trip. With a experienced mate handling your lines and assisting with fish, you can focus on feeling that telltale striped bass pull. All rods, reels, and tackle included—just bring yourself ready to fish productive Keyport waters.
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