Expert Guided 6 Hour Fishing Adventure in Cape May
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting weakfish, tilefish, and striped bass.Equipment and fishing licenses provided for groups up to 10.OctoberDecember weekday trips departing from Cape May waters.
When the October chill starts hitting the Mid-Atlantic and most boats are heading to winter storage, that's when Cape May's inshore fishing really gets cooking. The Cape May Lady offers something special during these cooler months - a 6-hour weekday fishing adventure that puts you right in the middle of some of New Jersey's best fall and early winter action. You'll be fishing waters where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic, targeting species that are either making their final feeding push before winter or just starting to show up in good numbers.
This isn't your typical summer party boat scene. October through December weekday trips mean smaller crowds, more elbow room, and fish that haven't been pressured by weekend warriors. You'll be sharing the boat with just 9 other anglers max, which gives everyone plenty of space to work and increases your chances of getting some quality coaching from the crew. The Cape May Lady team handles all the gear and licensing hassles - they'll set you up with rods, reels, terminal tackle, and make sure you're legal to fish New Jersey waters. All you need to bring is yourself and maybe some snacks since meals aren't included on this trip. The boat runs a tight ship when it comes to safety and fish-finding, using quality electronics to locate structure and mark baitfish that draw in the bigger predators you're after.
Fall inshore fishing around Cape May means adapting to what's working on any given day. The crew typically runs a mix of bottom fishing and drift fishing depending on conditions and what's biting. You'll likely be using circle hooks with fresh bait like clams, squid, or cut bunker when targeting bottom dwellers like tilefish and black drum. For the stripers and weakfish, expect to work with bucktails, soft plastics, or live bait presentations. The water temperature this time of year plays a huge role in fish behavior - as it drops, baitfish get pushed around and the gamefish follow. The crew knows how to read the water and will adjust techniques throughout the day. Don't worry if you're not an expert with these methods; the mates are there to help you get rigged up right and show you the tricks that work in these specific waters.
Grey Tilefish are the deep water stars of this trip, and Cape May's offshore structure holds some real quality fish. These guys live in 200+ feet of water around rocky bottom and wrecks, and they're absolute eating machines. Most tilefish you'll encounter run 2-8 pounds, but the occasional double-digit fish shows up to make your day. They're active year-round but really turn on during the cooler months when the water column stabilizes. What makes tilefish so fun is their fight - they pull hard and steady, and when you're working them up from deep water, you really feel like you earned it.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore scene, and fall brings some of the year's best action. These fish move into Cape May's back bays and nearshore waters to feed heavily before winter, with most fish running 15-40 pounds. The bigger ones are called "big uglies" for a reason - they're not much to look at, but they'll test your tackle and your back muscles. Black drum are bottom feeders that love clams and crabs, and they're notorious for making long, powerful runs that can strip line off your reel in a hurry.
Striped Bass fishing in fall around Cape May is legendary for good reason. As water temps drop, massive schools of stripers stage up along the coast during their southern migration. You'll find everything from schoolie bass in the 18-28 inch range up to cow stripers pushing 20+ pounds. October and November can produce some of the year's most consistent striper action, especially when the mullet and bunker runs are happening. These fish are aggressive feeders preparing for their long journey south.
White Weakfish, or "trout" as locals call them, make a strong showing during the fall months around Cape May. Most fish run 2-5 pounds, but the occasional gator weakfish over 8 pounds shows up to surprise anglers. Weakfish have soft mouths (hence the name), so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them. They're excellent table fare and provide steady action when they're around in good numbers.
Redfish have been making a real comeback in New Jersey waters, and fall fishing can produce some quality fish in the 20-35 inch range. These copper-colored fighters love shallow structure and grass flats where they hunt for crabs and small baitfish. Cape May's back bay areas hold good populations, and these fish are known for their blistering initial runs and stubborn fighting style all the way to the boat.
Fall weekday fishing on Cape May Lady gives you everything you want in a quality fishing trip - smaller crowds, active fish, and a crew that knows these waters inside and out. The October through December window is prime time for targeting multiple species in a single trip, and weekday scheduling means you're fishing with serious anglers rather than casual weekend crowds. With gear and licenses handled, all you need to do is show up ready to fish. These 6-hour trips give you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques while keeping the day manageable. Book your spot now and get ready to experience some of New Jersey's best fall fishing action.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of the drum family, and our fall season brings some solid fishing for them around Cape May. These fish typically run 5-30 pounds, though we've seen monsters push 50+ pounds. They love hanging around structure - think bridge pilings, jetties, and oyster beds in brackish water. What guests love about black drum is their serious fight and the unique drumming sounds they make underwater. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table since the bigger ones get tough and stringy. Fall and spring are your best bets when they school up for spawning. The secret with drum is using the right bait - fresh crab works best since catfish and bait stealers won't touch it like they do with other baits. Fish dead on the bottom and be patient. When they pick up your bait, they'll usually run with it before you feel the weight.
Caulolatilus MicropsGrey tilefish are deep-water fighters that call themselves home in 250-800 feet of water around muddy and rocky bottoms. These guys average 5-8 pounds but can push over 20 pounds when you find the right spot. What makes them special? They taste like lobster when cooked right - that's why locals call them "poor man's lobster." They're not shy about biting, which makes them great for beginners, and you can often catch multiples on the same rig. October through December is prime time here off Cape May since they're feeding heavy before winter. Here's the key: use heavy weights to get down fast in the current, and don't set the hook too quick. Let them get a good chomp first, then reel steady. These fish dig burrows on the bottom, so once you find them, work that same area hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are distinctive copper-colored fish with black spots near their tails that make them easy to identify. Around Cape May, they typically run 20-35 inches and put up a solid fight that guests really enjoy. These fish love shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, jetties, and marsh edges where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall is excellent as they fatten up before moving offshore for winter. What makes redfish special is their aggressive strikes and great eating quality - the meat is mild and sweet. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. The explosive surface strikes are unforgettable. Here's the trick: when fishing shallow flats, keep noise to a minimum and make long casts. These fish spook easily in skinny water, but once hooked, they'll make multiple strong runs.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the bread and butter of our fall runs here off Cape May. These fish average 20-40 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 50+ during migration season. October through December is prime time as they're heading south, feeding heavy on bunker and herring. What makes stripers special is their powerful runs and the fact they're fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They stick close to structure like jetties, drop-offs, and around bait schools, usually within 100 feet of water. The key to consistent striper fishing is matching your bait to what they're eating. When you see birds diving or bait flipping on the surface, get there fast. Use live eels at night or chunk bunker during the day. Here's a local tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - they'll throw the hook if you get too aggressive.
Atractoscion NobilisWhite weakfish are actually more commonly called white seabass, though they're part of the croaker family, not true bass. These are substantial fish - averaging 7-8 pounds but capable of reaching 30+ pounds and over 4 feet long. Despite the "weakfish" name, they're strong fighters that will test your tackle. They prefer depths from the surface down to 400 feet, usually suspended between mid-water and the bottom around structure. Fall months can be productive as they follow squid schools, which are their preferred meal. What guests enjoy is their size, fight, and excellent eating quality. The meat is firm and mild, making them a prized catch. These fish can be finicky, so live squid or quality artificials work best. Pro tip: don't let your bait hit bottom - keep it suspended in the water column where they feed. When you find squid schools, you'll often find these fish nearby.
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