Full Day Guided Tilefish Trip In Cape May
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore tilefish adventure targeting golden and blueline tilesFish deep waters at 600 feet with experienced Captain ClintSmall group experience accommodating up to 6 guests maximum
If you're looking for a serious deep-water fishing adventure, Captain Clint Clement's 12-hour tilefish charter out of Cape May is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking about heading to the continental shelf edge, dropping lines in 600 feet of water, and targeting some of the tastiest fish swimming in the Atlantic. With room for six anglers, this top-rated charter gives you plenty of space to work without feeling crowded, and Captain Clint's local knowledge means you'll be fishing the most productive spots where the big golden tiles hang out.
Your day starts early – we're talking about a full 12 hours on the water, so come prepared for a real fishing marathon. Captain Clint knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll run you out to the edge where the continental shelf drops off and the big tilefish live. The ride out gives you time to rig up and get your head in the game, because once we hit the fishing grounds, it's go time. You'll be working heavy tackle and electric reels – this is deep-water fishing at its finest, and these fish don't mess around when they grab your bait. The beauty of this charter is that even if you're new to this style of fishing, Captain Clint will get you dialed in on the technique and help you boat some quality fish.
Tilefish live in some serious water – we're talking 500 to 800 feet deep along rocky bottom and ledges where the current brings them food. This means you'll be using heavy sinkers, often 2-4 pounds, to get your bait down through the current and keep it in the strike zone. Electric reels are pretty much mandatory at these depths unless you want your arms to fall off after the first fish. Captain Clint provides all the tackle you need, including the electric reels that make bringing fish up from 600 feet actually enjoyable instead of pure torture. The key is keeping your bait tight to the bottom where these fish feed – they're not coming up to chase anything, so you've got to bring the fight to them. We'll be using chunk baits like squid and clams, and sometimes fresh fish strips that really get the tiles fired up.
Great Northern Tilefish are the stars of the show and the main reason anglers make this deep-water run. These golden beauties can push 20-30 pounds and are some of the best eating fish in the ocean – think firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or making fish tacos. They're most active during cooler months, and Cape May's waters hold some real monsters. When you hook into a big golden tile, you'll know it – they make strong runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. What makes them special is their consistency; when Captain Clint puts you on a good tile spot, you can often catch multiple fish from the same hole.
Atlantic Goldeneye Tilefish are smaller cousins to the Great Northerns but pack just as much fight pound for pound. These guys typically run 5-15 pounds and are incredibly aggressive feeders, often being the first to hit your bait when you reach the bottom. They're beautiful fish with distinctive coloring and make excellent table fare. The best part about goldeneye tiles is their numbers – when you find a school, you can have multiple rods bent at once, which gets the whole boat fired up.
Blackline Tilefish are the speed demons of the tilefish family and will surprise you with their aggressive strikes. They're typically smaller than the other species but make up for it with attitude and excellent eating quality. These fish are perfect for anglers who want steady action – they're often the most cooperative species of the day and help keep rods bent when the bigger tiles are being finicky. They're also one of the most colorful tilefish species, with distinct markings that make for great photos.
Grey Tilefish round out your target species and are known for their bulldogging fights and solid size. They tend to be the most unpredictable of the bunch – sometimes they're all over your baits, and other times they completely ignore everything you throw at them. When they're biting though, grey tiles provide some of the strongest fights you'll experience in deep water. They're also excellent on the dinner table, with meat quality that rivals any restaurant fish you've ever had.
Captain Clint's tilefish trips are becoming legendary among serious anglers who want to experience world-class deep-water fishing without traveling hundreds of miles offshore. With only six spots available, these charters fill up fast, especially during prime tilefish season. You're not just booking a fishing trip – you're securing a spot with one of Cape May's most knowledgeable captains who consistently puts his anglers on fish. The combination of his local expertise, top-notch equipment, and access to the best tilefish grounds makes this a customer favorite that anglers return to year after year. Don't wait too long to secure your date, because once word gets out about a hot tilefish bite, these spots disappear quickly.
Captain Clint's restored 38-foot Hatteras sportfisher is built for serious offshore tilefish action in Cape May waters. Twin Cummins engines pack 740 total horsepower, cruising at 26 knots to get you out to those deep 600-foot spots where the golden tiles hang out. The 2018 restoration means everything's dialed in - from the fish finder that'll mark your targets to the radar for those foggy morning runs. Six anglers fish comfortably with an icebox to keep your catch fresh, plus AC when the sun gets hot. The flybridge gives you great visibility for spotting bird activity, while the full galley, head, and sleeping quarters handle those long 12-hour days chasing blueline and golden tilefish on the continental shelf.
Caulolatilus ChrysopsThe goldeneye is a smaller cousin of the great northern, running 24-39 inches and weighing 40-65 pounds when they get big. These fish have beautiful golden spots over dark olive-green backs that really pop when you bring them up. They live in 250-800 feet, preferring warmer tropical waters around 80 degrees. What guests love is they're not as deep as the big goldens, so the fight feels more connected. Plus they make great eating with firm, white meat. Spring through summer is prime time when they're spawning and feeding heavily. Pro tip: don't rush the hookset - let them get a good bite on your squid or cut bait before you lean into them. They're curious fish, not shy around baits.
Caulolatilus CyanopsBlackline tiles are the smaller, scrappy members of the tilefish family - usually running 12 inches but can hit 24 inches max. They've got that distinctive violet-blue body with dark lines and a greenish-blue bar from eye to lip. Found in 490-820 feet on sandy or muddy bottom, they're sight and scent feeders that respond well to fresh cut squid, bonito, or mackerel. What makes them fun is their softer flesh compared to other tiles - some places even serve them as sashimi. They're active year-round but fish better on stable weather days. Key tip: use a drop light clipped to your leader since these guys hunt by sight in the deep water. No light, no bite is the old commercial dropper saying, and it holds true.
Lopholatilus ChamaeleonticepsThese are the trophy fish we're after - big golden tiles that can stretch 38-44 inches and live over 30 years. They hang out in 600-800 feet of water on muddy bottoms, staying in burrows they've dug since they were juveniles. What makes them special is their incredible table fare - they taste like lobster when cooked right, earning them the nickname "poor man's lobster." The fight isn't flashy, but pulling a 20-30 pounder from that depth on wire line is serious work. Best fishing is during cooler months when they're more active. My tip: drop your lead first to stir up the bottom and get them curious, then send down fresh cut mackerel or squid on a 7/0 circle hook.
Caulolatilus MicropsGrey tiles, or bluelines as we call them, are the bread and butter of deep dropping here. They average 5-8 pounds but can push 23 pounds and 35 inches. Look for that blue-purple line from nose to eye - that's your ID mark. These fish live in 250-400 feet on muddy or rocky bottom, staying close to their burrows they've dug in the sand. The meat tastes like lobster when done right, which is why people target them. They bite best in winter months when they're more active. Don't be bait-shy - they'll hit squid, eel, or cut bonito without hesitation. My trick: use a sensitive setup since strikes can be subtle at depth, and don't pull too fast when you feel that first tap. Let them get a good bite first.
Cape May