Belmar Tuna Fishing Charter - 24 Hour Trips
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Premier tuna fishing charters operating offshore up to 100 milesSeasonal 24-hour trips from June through November departing at 4PMSmall group capacity of 6 guests for personalized fishing experience
Ready to battle some serious pelagic fish? Canyon Eagle 1 Fishing Charters runs top-rated 24-hour tuna trips out of Belmar that'll put you right in the middle of the action. We're talking about heading up to 100 miles offshore into prime Atlantic waters where the big yellowfin, albacore, and mahi roam. This isn't your typical half-day trip - we launch at 4 PM and spend the entire night hunting down schools of tuna in some of the most productive fishing grounds off the Jersey coast. With only 6 anglers max, you'll get plenty of rod time and personal attention from our crew who know these waters like the back of their hand.
When you step aboard for this world-class fishing adventure, you're signing up for the real deal. We run these charters from June 10th through November 10th when the tuna migration is at its peak along the continental shelf. The first few hours involve a steady run offshore, giving you time to rig tackle, grab some dinner, and watch the sun set over the Atlantic. Once we reach our fishing grounds - anywhere from 30 to 100 miles out depending on where the fish are biting - it's game on. Night fishing for tuna is something special, and the crew will have you set up with spreader bars, cedar plugs, and chunk baits. Don't worry about going hungry either - lunch is included, so you'll stay fueled for the fight ahead. The camaraderie that builds over 24 hours with fellow anglers makes these trips legendary among the regular fishing crowd.
Our approach combines proven trolling techniques with strategic chunking sessions that drive tuna absolutely crazy. We'll start by pulling a spread of lures - think daisy chains, spreader bars, and high-speed wahoo lures - while covering water and looking for bird activity or temperature breaks on the fish finder. When we mark fish or find a good piece of structure, we'll often switch to chunking butterfish or sardines to get the tuna fired up and competing for an easy meal. The crew provides all the terminal tackle you'll need, from 50-80 pound class conventional setups to circle hooks and fluorocarbon leaders. If you've got your own gear, bring rods rated for 30-80 pound test - you'll want the backbone when a 60-pound yellowfin decides to make a blistering run toward the bottom. We also run wire line setups when the fish are deep, especially during midday hours when they drop down in the water column.
Yellowfin tuna are the crown jewel of these offshore trips, and for good reason. These fish average 30-80 pounds in our area, with occasional giants pushing over 100 pounds showing up from late summer into fall. Yellowfin are incredibly strong fighters that'll test your tackle and your endurance - they're known for those heart-stopping initial runs that can peel off 200 yards of line in seconds. Peak season runs from July through October when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 68-75 degrees. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability - one minute you're trolling in seemingly empty water, the next you've got three rods bent over with screaming reels.
Albacore tuna might be smaller, typically running 15-35 pounds, but don't let their size fool you. These fish are pure muscle and will give you a workout on lighter tackle. They're often the most abundant species we encounter, especially during the early and late parts of the season. Albacore love cooler water in the 62-68 degree range, so we often find them on the edges of the warm water where the Gulf Stream meets cooler inshore currents. They're fantastic table fare too - that white meat is prized by sushi chefs and makes for perfect sashimi after a long night of fishing.
Skipjack and blackfin tuna round out the smaller end of the tuna family but bring their own excitement to the mix. Skipjack are speed demons that hit trolled baits with authority and are perfect for getting kids or novice anglers into the action. Blackfin tuna, running 5-25 pounds, are gorgeous fish with their distinctive pectoral fins and are absolute dynamite on light tackle. Both species are excellent bait fish for targeting larger predators and are surprisingly good eating when prepared fresh.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish as the old-timers call them, are the wild cards that can make any trip memorable. These fish show up around floating debris, weed lines, or anywhere baitfish are concentrated. Bulls can exceed 40 pounds and are known for their aerial acrobatics and stunning colors that light up when they're hooked. Cow mahi travel in schools and provide non-stop action when you find them. They're most common from June through September and are hands-down some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Finding a good mahi bite often means switching tactics to lighter spinning gear and live bait or small jigs.
This customer favorite charter fills up fast, especially during peak tuna season from July through September. With only 6 spots available per trip, you're getting an intimate fishing experience that larger party boats simply can't match. The crew's local knowledge of canyon edges, temperature breaks, and seasonal migration patterns gives you the best shot at hooking into fish of a lifetime. Whether you're a seasoned offshore angler or looking to step up from inshore fishing, these 24-hour adventures deliver the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for years. The combination of world-class fishing grounds just off the Jersey coast, experienced crew, and small group size makes this a trending choice among serious anglers. Don't wait until the last minute - book your Belmar tuna charter now an
Get ready to chase tuna aboard our beautifully restored 42-foot Bertram! This classic convertible packs serious power with twin 550HP Detroit engines that'll cruise at 30 knots, getting you to the fish fast. Originally built in 1981 and completely rebuilt in 2017, she's equipped with everything you need for serious offshore fishing - fish finder, GPS, radar, and a spacious flybridge for spotting action. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers and features air conditioning, full kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping quarters for those epic 24-hour runs. From June through November, we'll take you up to 100 miles offshore where the big tuna roam. Our seasonal charters depart at 4 PM, giving you prime time to battle these powerful fish in Atlantic waters. The icebox and refrigerator keep your catch fresh and drinks cold while the multimedia system keeps spirits high between bites.
Thunnus AlalungaAlbacore are the smaller cousins in the tuna family, running 20-45 pounds with those distinctive long pectoral fins that stretch nearly a third of their body length. They're bullet-shaped swimmers that never stop moving, constantly roaming the deeper offshore waters in massive schools that can stretch for miles. We see them best during our summer and early fall trips when they push up from the south. What's great about albacore is they're the only tuna that can legally be called "white meat" - mild, firm flesh that's perfect for grilling or canning. They're scrappy fighters that'll give you a good workout on medium tackle. The key to success is staying with the school once you find them. When you hook the first fish, work fast because if it gets away and spooks the others, the whole school can disappear in minutes.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the smallest of the Atlantic tunas, but don't let size fool you - these 20-40 pound fish are serious fighters with sharp eyes and quick reflexes. They've got dark backs with that beautiful gold stripe along their sides that fades once they're out of the water. You'll find them in our coastal offshore waters, especially around structure and current breaks where baitfish gather. Fall through spring is prime time, with some of our best action happening during cooler months. What makes blackfin special is their combination of strong fights and excellent table fare - their meat is prized for sashimi and grilling. They school up with skipjack and other small tunas, so when you find one, there's usually more around. These fish have excellent eyesight, so scale down your tackle - use lighter fluorocarbon leaders and smaller circle hooks. Live pilchards work great for chum to draw them in close.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll see - bright gold sides with electric blues and greens that put on a color show when they come to the boat. They average 15-29 pounds and love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in warm offshore waters. We typically find them during our June through October season when water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on trolled baits and their incredible table fare - firm, white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. These fish are strong swimmers that'll give you a solid fight on 30-50 pound tackle. Pro tip: when you hook one mahi, keep a few rods ready - they often travel in small groups and you can usually pick up a few more before the school moves on.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack are the smallest tuna we target, typically running 2-3 feet and around 20 pounds with those distinct dark stripes down their silver sides. They're schooling fish that love the warmer offshore waters, often mixing with juvenile yellowfin. These guys are constantly on the move, feeding near the surface during the day and going deeper at night. Our summer season is prime time when they're most active in our waters. While they're not the biggest fighters, they're fun on lighter tackle and great for getting kids into tuna fishing. The meat is what you'll find in most canned light tuna - solid eating when prepared right. Best approach is trolling through schools with small feathers or hoochies at 4-6 knots. Key thing is not to spook them - they're easily spooked, so keep your distance and let your baits drift through the school rather than driving right into them.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of the tuna family - torpedo-shaped speedsters that can hit 50 mph with those signature bright yellow fins. Most of what we catch runs 40-80 pounds, though they get much bigger. These warm-blooded fish cruise the upper water column in our offshore grounds, usually 20-100+ miles out where the blue water starts. Prime time is our June-November season when they're feeding heavily. What draws people back is the raw power - these fish will test your drag and your arms. Plus, yellowfin makes some of the best eating you'll find, whether you're grilling steaks or making sashimi. When we're marking fish deep but the trolling spread isn't producing, we'll often pull in the lines and start vertical jigging - sometimes that's the ticket to get them fired up and feeding.
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