Full Day Canyon Fishing Trip in Barnegat Light
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
16-hour canyon fishing trip targeting marlin, tuna, and mahi30' Sea Hunt boat with quality gear and live bait providedCaptain Frank offers hands-on guidance for up to 6 guests
If you're serious about offshore fishing and want to target some of the Atlantic's most prized gamefish, Captain Frank's 16-hour canyon run out of Barnegat Light is exactly what you're looking for. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking about a legitimate blue water adventure that puts you in the mix with marlin, tuna, mahi, and wahoo. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped 30' Sea Hunt center console that's built for the long haul and equipped with everything you need to tangle with serious fish. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish while teaching you the ropes along the way.
This is a full-commitment fishing trip that starts before dawn and keeps you on the water until the fish stop biting. Captain Frank runs a tight ship with quality gear, live bait, and all the trolling setups you'll need to cover water effectively. The 30' Sea Hunt handles the offshore conditions well, and with only six anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work without stepping on each other's lines. The captain provides all rods, reels, tackle, and electronics – plus he's got the fishing permits covered, so you don't need to worry about licensing. You're responsible for bringing your own food, drinks, sunscreen, and anything else you'll need for the long day. Pack smart because 16 hours is a marathon, not a sprint.
Canyon fishing is all about covering ground and presenting baits where the big fish hunt. Captain Frank runs a combination of trolling spreads and live bait fishing depending on conditions and what's showing on the electronics. The trolling setup typically includes a mix of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and lures designed to mimic the baitfish that marlin, tuna, and wahoo feed on. When the bite gets hot, you might switch to live bait like bunker or mackerel to really seal the deal. The captain reads the water, watches for bird activity, and uses his fish finder to locate temperature breaks and structure where gamefish congregate. You'll learn to watch for signs of life – floating grass lines, color changes, and feeding birds that often signal prime fishing areas.
Blue Marlin are the holy grail of canyon fishing around Barnegat Light. These apex predators cruise the deep water from June through September, with peak action typically in July and August when water temperatures hit their stride. Blues are ambush hunters that follow bait schools, and when one crashes your trolling spread, you'll know it immediately. They're notorious for their aerial displays and long, powerful runs that test your drag system and endurance. Most blues caught here range from 200 to 400 pounds, though much larger fish patrol these waters. The fight can last anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, and it's a true team effort to get one to the boat.
White Marlin are smaller than their blue cousins but equally exciting to target. These fish are acrobatic fighters that love to jump and typically weigh between 50 to 80 pounds. They're more common than blues and often travel in small groups, so multiple hookups aren't uncommon when you find them. Whites prefer trolled baits and are suckers for a well-rigged ballyhoo or small lure worked through the right water. They show up consistently from May through October, with some of the best action happening in late summer when bait is abundant.
Mahi Mahi are crowd pleasers that fight hard and taste even better. These colorful fish are opportunistic feeders that hang around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. They're fast growers, with most fish caught here weighing between 10 to 30 pounds, though bulls over 40 pounds are always possible. Mahi are schooling fish, so when you hook one, there are usually more around. They're excellent on light tackle and put on an impressive aerial show when hooked. The best mahi fishing typically runs from May through September.
Wahoo are speed demons that can reach 60 mph and have razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through wire if you're not careful. These fish are built for speed and make blistering runs when hooked. Most wahoo caught on canyon trips weigh between 20 to 50 pounds, and they're prized for their white, flaky meat. They're often caught while trolling for other species and have a habit of showing up when you least expect them. Peak wahoo season runs from August through November when they're following bait south.
Yellowfin Tuna are powerful, endurance fighters that test your tackle and stamina. These fish are built like torpedoes and make long, sustained runs that can empty a reel if your drag isn't set properly. Canyon yellowfins typically range from 30 to 100 pounds, with larger fish possible during prime season. They're excellent table fare and are often targeted with both trolling and chunking techniques. The best yellowfin action usually happens from June through October, with peak fishing in late summer when bait is concentrated along the canyon edges.
Captain Frank's canyon trips book up fast, especially during peak season when conditions are prime and the fish are biting consistently. This is serious offshore fishing that delivers the chance to tangle with some of the ocean's most sought-after gamefish. With quality gear, expert guidance, and access to proven fishing grounds, you're getting everything you need for a world-class fishing experience. The 16-hour format gives you maximum time on the water and the best shot at multiple species. Don't wait until the last minute – the best canyon fishing days fill up quickly, and you don't want to miss out on the action when the bite is hot.
This 30' Sea Hunt Gamefish center console is built for serious offshore canyon fishing adventures. Twin 300HP Yamaha engines deliver the power needed to reach those deep water fishing grounds where the big pelagics roam. The boat comes fully rigged with GPS navigation, radar for those early morning runs, and fish finder electronics to locate baitfish and structure. Outriggers are set up for trolling spreads, while quality rods, reels, and tackle are ready for whatever bites. With comfortable seating for up to six anglers and an onboard head, you'll have everything needed for those long canyon runs targeting marlin, tuna, mahi, and wahoo. Captain Frank knows these waters and will put you on the fish while providing hands-on instruction throughout the day.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the giants of the billfish world - females can hit 1,000+ pounds while males top out around 350. These apex predators cruise the warm waters of our canyons, using their spear-like bills to stun tuna and other baitfish. You'll find them in the deep blue water, usually 100+ miles offshore where water temps hit 70°F or better. Best fishing runs from July through October when they follow the warm currents north. What makes them special is the pure power and acrobatics - when one hits, it's like hooking into a freight train that can fly. The meat's decent but most folks release these beauties. My tip: when trolling, watch your rigger baits closely. Blues often "light up" behind the bait before they strike, showing those electric blue stripes.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most colorful fish you'll see - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green backs that light up like a neon sign when they're fighting. Most run 15-30 pounds and about 3 feet long, though we've seen some pushing 50+. They love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and any structure in the warm blue water. Best bite is usually late spring through fall when water temps climb above 70°F. What guests love most is the aggressive strike and aerial show - these fish go absolutely crazy on the surface. Plus, they're some of the best eating you'll find offshore. The meat is firm, white, and mild - perfect for the grill. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and look around. Mahi travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the ocean - these sleek, torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and will test your drag system like nothing else. They typically run 20-60 pounds with that distinctive zebra-stripe pattern along their silver sides. You'll find them in the deep blue water, usually around drop-offs and temperature breaks where baitfish concentrate. Fall and early winter are prime time here, when water temps start dropping and wahoo move through on their migration. What makes them a favorite is that blistering first run - they'll peel line off your reel before you know what hit. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best table fare around - locals call it "ono" which means delicious in Hawaiian. My trick: troll fast with wire leaders. These fish have razor-sharp teeth that'll cut right through mono.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite marlin are smaller than their blue cousins but twice as acrobatic - most run 50-80 pounds and put on an amazing aerial show when hooked. They're the silver ghosts of the deep water, cruising the canyons and temperature breaks looking for flying fish and small tunas. Late summer is when they really turn on here, following the warm water north. What makes them special is they're pure athletes - fast, smart, and willing to jump clear out of the water multiple times during the fight. Most folks release them since they're not great table fare and the population needs protecting. These fish are sneaky hunters, so watch your spread carefully. They'll often "light up" and follow baits for a while before striking. My advice: when you see one back there, don't change speed or direction - let them make up their mind on their own terms.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are built like torpedoes and fight like demons - solid muscle from nose to tail with those bright yellow fins that give them their name. Most of ours run 40-100 pounds, though we see some real bruisers pushing 200+. They roam the upper water column in the deep blue, usually following schools of bait around temperature breaks and current edges. Summer into fall is prime time, especially when we get those warm water pushes from the south. What anglers love is the raw power - these fish don't jump much, but they'll pull drag for what seems like forever. Plus, they're sushi-grade table fare that sells for big money at the dock. When they go deep and won't budge, try dropping a jig down to them. Sometimes switching from trolling to vertical jigging is what it takes to get them fired up again.
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