Belmar Tuna Fishing: 24-Hour Offshore Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Premier tuna fishing charters operating from Belmar, New JerseySeasonal 24hour offshore trips covering up to 100 milesSmall group experience accommodating maximum six guests
Looking for a serious fishing adventure off the Jersey coast? Canyon Eagle 1 Fishing Charters runs some of the most productive tuna trips out of Belmar, and I'm talking about real deal offshore action. These aren't your typical half-day trips – we're running 24-hour marathons that start at 4 PM and take you up to 100 miles offshore where the big fish live. From mid-June through November, this is where dedicated anglers come to test their skills against some of the Atlantic's most prized game fish. With room for just six anglers, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home empty-handed or with coolers full of premium fish.
This isn't a gentle bay fishing trip – we're heading to the deep blue where the continental shelf drops off and the real action happens. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll run hard to put you on fish. The 24-hour format gives us serious range, and we use every bit of it. You'll start the afternoon setting up gear and getting familiar with the boat, then we'll run through the night to reach the prime fishing grounds by dawn. The best part? Lunch is included, so you can focus on fishing instead of packing coolers. These seasonal trips run when the tuna are most active in our waters, and the timing isn't by accident – this is when the bait fish are thick and the predators are feeding aggressively.
We're talking serious trolling operation here – multiple lines, varied depths, and lures that have proven themselves in these waters. The crew runs a spread that covers everything from surface baits to deep-diving plugs, and they adjust based on what the fish are telling us. You'll be working with heavy tackle designed to handle 50-pound-plus fish that don't give up easy. Circle hooks are standard to ensure clean releases when needed, and the boat carries backup gear because lost tackle is part of the game when you're targeting fish this size. The crew watches the fish finder and water temperature constantly, adjusting our approach as conditions change. When we mark fish, lines go out fast and everyone needs to be ready – these opportunities don't last long in the open ocean.
Yellowfin Tuna are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These fish average 40-80 pounds in our waters, with occasional giants pushing over 100. They're incredibly strong, making long runs that test your drag system and your endurance. Peak season runs from July through September when they're feeding heavily on the abundant bait fish. What makes yellowfin special is their fight – they don't give up, and landing one is a real accomplishment that'll have you talking for years.
Mahi Mahi bring a different kind of excitement to these offshore trips. Also called dolphinfish, these beauties are known for their spectacular colors and acrobatic fights. They average 10-25 pounds, though bigger bulls can hit 40-plus. Mahi are often found around floating debris or weed lines, and they're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from ballyhoo to artificial lures. The bonus with mahi is they're fantastic table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Albacore Tuna might not be the biggest fish we target, but they're scrappy fighters that make up in numbers what they lack in size. These 15-30 pound fish are excellent for anglers who want consistent action, and they're perfect for lighter tackle if conditions allow. Albacore are also premium eating – the white meat is what ends up in the high-end canned tuna, but fresh off the boat it's in a completely different league.
Skipjack Tuna keep things interesting when the bigger fish aren't cooperating. These smaller tunas are incredibly fast and aggressive, often traveling in large schools that create feeding frenzies. They average 5-15 pounds and hit lures with surprising force for their size. While they might not be trophy fish, skipjack are excellent bait for the bigger predators and great eating when prepared properly.
Blackfin Tuna round out our target list with their unique characteristics. These fish prefer warmer water and are often found closer to the Gulf Stream influence. They're excellent fighters pound-for-pound and have dark, rich meat that's perfect for sashimi when handled properly. Blackfin average 10-25 pounds and are known for their speed and agility, making them a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts.
With only six spots available on each trip, these charters fill up fast during peak season. The combination of experienced crew, proven fishing grounds, and the 24-hour format makes this one of the top-rated offshore experiences in the Belmar area. Whether you're looking to land your personal best tuna or just want to experience what real offshore fishing is all about, this trip delivers. The season runs from June 10th through November 10th, but the prime months book earliest. Don't wait until the last minute – serious anglers know that the best trips get reserved months in advance. Contact Canyon Eagle 1 Fishing Charters today and secure your spot for what could be the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Step aboard our beautifully restored 42-foot Bertram convertible for serious tuna fishing off Belmar's coast. This classic 1981 sportfisher got a complete makeover in 2017 and packs twin 550HP Detroit engines that'll cruise us out to the fishing grounds at 30 knots. Whether we're running 20 miles or pushing out to the 100-mile mark, you'll stay comfortable with full air conditioning, a proper kitchen, and even a bed for those long 24-hour trips. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility while fighting fish, and our fish finder will put you right on top of the action. With an icebox and fridge to keep your catch fresh, plus GPS and radar for safe navigation, this boat's built for productive days on the water. Perfect for up to 6 anglers ready to battle some serious tuna in the Atlantic.
Thunnus AlalungaAlbacore might be smaller than their yellowfin cousins, averaging 20-45 pounds, but they make up for it in numbers and table quality. They're the only tuna that can legally be called "white meat" and the flavor is mild and clean. We find them in deeper offshore waters during summer months when they migrate north. These fish travel in massive schools - sometimes 19 miles wide - so when you find them, you'll stay busy. They feed during daylight hours and never stop moving. Trolling works best with cedar plugs or feathers pulled 50-90 feet behind the boat. Here's the key: that first fish you hook is usually the leader. Land it quick and clean, because if it gets away, the whole school often follows.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the smallest of our tuna species but pack serious attitude in their 20-40 pound frames. They're gorgeous fish with dark backs, silver bellies, and that distinctive gold stripe that fades after they're boated. We find them closer to shore than other tunas, usually over the continental shelf in 100-500 feet. They're most active during cooler months - fall through spring - when water temps drop to their preferred range. These fish are known for being tough fighters and the meat is excellent, similar to yellowfin but milder. They school with skipjack and have sharp eyes, so I always scale down to lighter leaders and smaller hooks. Vertical jigging with small jigs or chunking with pilchards usually does the trick when we find them.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish in the ocean with their brilliant golden sides and electric blue-green backs. They put on quite a color show when you boat them. Most of our mahi run 15-29 pounds, though we see some real bulls pushing 40+. They love hanging around floating debris and weed lines in 100-400 feet of water. Peak season for us runs late spring through early fall when the water warms up. These fish are absolute rockets - they'll jump, run, and give you a workout on medium tackle. The meat is fantastic too, firm and mild. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep other baits in the water. Mahi travel in schools and where there's one, there's usually more waiting.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack are the scrappy little fighters of the tuna family, usually running 2-3 feet and around 20 pounds. They've got those distinctive dark stripes on their sides and they're fast as lightning. You'll find them mixed in with yellowfin schools in offshore waters, especially during summer months. They feed near the surface at night and early morning, then drop deeper during the day. While they're smaller, skipjack are fierce fighters and great fun on lighter tackle. They're also what ends up in most canned tuna. These fish spook easily, so when we find a school, I keep the boat moving and let the baits drift through rather than motoring right into them. Pink feathers and small spoons work great when they're feeding up top.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of our offshore trips. These torpedo-shaped speedsters average 60 pounds but can push well over 100. You'll find them in the top 300 feet of water, usually over structure or temperature breaks. They're most active from July through September when the warm water moves in close. What makes yellowfin special is their incredible power - they'll strip line at 50 mph and test every part of your tackle. The meat is primo sashimi quality, dark red and rich. When we're marking fish deep but nothing's hitting the spread, I like to pull in the trolling gear and start jigging. Sometimes those suspended fish just want something coming up from below. Heavy tackle is a must - these fish don't give up easy.
Belmar