5.0(2 Reviews)Full Day Offshore Fishing Trip in Cape May, NJ
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour offshore trip targeting tuna, mahi-mahi, marlin, and wahooDeparts 3am, returns 5:30pm with experienced crew guidanceMaximum 6 guests fishing Cape May's premier canyon locations
When you're ready to chase some serious gamefish, this 12-hour offshore adventure with Common Sense Sportfishing puts you right in the action. We're talking about a full commitment here – departing around 3 AM and rolling back to the dock between 5-5:30 PM. Yeah, it's a long day, but that's exactly what it takes to reach the productive waters where the big fish live. Captain Clint and his crew know these Cape May canyons like the back of their hand, and they'll work every angle to put you on tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, and whatever else is biting out there.
This trip is designed for anglers who want the real deal – no shortcuts, no half measures. You'll be fishing the premier offshore canyons where the continental shelf drops off and the blue water holds everything from blazing fast wahoo to heavyweight tuna. The boat handles up to 6 anglers, so you're getting personalized attention from the crew without feeling crowded at the rail. Cape May's location gives you access to multiple canyon systems, and the captain will make the call based on current conditions, water temperature, and where the fish have been showing up. Expect to cover some serious ground as the crew runs through different techniques throughout the day – trolling spreads, chunking, live bait fishing, whatever it takes to get you hooked up.
The beauty of a 12-hour trip is having time to fish multiple ways. You'll likely start with trolling spreads – rigged with ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and lures designed to trigger strikes from fast-moving pelagics like wahoo and mahi. When the crew marks tuna on the finder, they'll switch gears to chunking – cutting up bait and creating a slick that draws fish up from the depths. Live bait fishing comes into play when conditions are right, especially for targeting bigger fish that have seen every lure in the book. The crew handles all the rigging and re-rigging, but they'll teach you the techniques so you understand what's happening. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included – just bring yourself and be ready to learn.
"Me and 5 family members went out for black seas bass, the trip was very successful and we had a great time. The captain and first mate were very helpful and gave tips and advice as we fished. Highly recommend." - Quintin Bailey
"Landed plenty of sea bass throughout the trip! The captain and first mate were super helpful, always ready with tips and guidance. All around, a great day on the water!" - Quintin
"What a fun trip! We got into a bunch of Bonita—nonstop action once Captain Clint put us on the spot. The bites just kept coming! Kyle was incredibly helpful and on top of everything we needed. If you get the chance, don't miss out on fishing with Captain Clint and Kyle!" - Chris
Bigeye Tuna are the heavy hitters of this fishery, and Cape May's canyons hold some real bruisers. These fish typically show up in the deeper water columns during daylight hours, often relating to temperature breaks and current edges. Bigeyes are notorious for their stamina – expect a serious fight that'll test your arms and your drag system. They're most active from late spring through fall, with the bigger fish showing up as water temperatures stabilize. What makes them special is their incredible strength and the way they dive deep when hooked, making every fish a hard-earned victory.
Wahoo are pure speed demons that'll get your heart racing when they hit. These fish patrol the canyon edges and drop-offs, often striking trolled baits at blistering speeds before making sizzling runs that'll have your reel screaming. They're typically most active during the warmer months, with peak action from summer into early fall. What anglers love about wahoo is their explosive strikes and the way they test your reflexes – you need to be ready because when they hit, everything happens fast. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect on the grill.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and acrobatics to your day on the water. These brilliant fish love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks – exactly the kind of structure you'll find around Cape May's offshore waters. They're most abundant from late spring through early fall, with the bigger bulls showing up during peak summer months. What makes mahi special is their willingness to bite and their spectacular jumping ability when hooked. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Their fast growth rate and excellent eating quality make them a favorite target for offshore anglers.
Atlantic Goldeneye Tilefish are the deep-water specialists that many anglers overlook, but they're absolute gold when you connect with them. These fish live in the deeper canyon waters, typically holding near the bottom in 300-800 feet of water. They're available year-round but fish best during cooler months when they're more active. What makes tilefish exciting is their size potential – these fish can grow huge – and their reputation as one of the best eating fish in the ocean. They're also relatively cooperative once you find them, often providing steady action when other species are finicky.
Yellowcheek Wrasse might not be the biggest fish you'll encounter, but they're an interesting bonus species that shows the diversity of Cape May's offshore waters. These colorful fish typically inhabit deeper reef areas and rocky bottom structure around the canyons. They're most active during warmer months and provide light-tackle fun when the bigger gamefish aren't cooperating. What's cool about yellowcheek wrasse is their vibrant coloration and the fact that
Hit the deep waters off Cape May aboard this restored 38-ft Hatteras sportfisher, your ticket to prime tuna and wahoo territory. Twin Cummins engines pack 740HP total, pushing you at 26 knots to reach those productive canyons where the big fish roam. The boat sleeps up to 6 anglers comfortably with air conditioning to beat the heat during those long 14-hour days on the water. You'll appreciate the fish finder and radar when hunting structure in the depths, while the icebox and refrigerator keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility for spotting birds and bait schools that signal feeding fish below. With a full galley, head, and sleeping quarters, you're set for marathon fishing sessions targeting everything from mahi to marlin in Cape May's legendary offshore grounds.
Caulolatilus ChrysopsGoldeneye tilefish are solid bottom dwellers that live in 250-800 feet around our local canyons. These fish run 24-39 inches and can weigh 40-65 pounds, making them a respectable catch. They've got that distinctive golden color with dark olive backs and prefer the warmer water we get spring through fall. What's nice about tilefish is they're not shy - they'll hit cut bait pretty aggressively, especially squid and eel. The meat is excellent, similar to grouper, with a firm white flesh that grills beautifully. They fight decent on the way up from those depths too. Best technique is dropping a weighted rig right to the bottom and waiting for that solid thump - don't set the hook too quick, let them get a good bite first. Once you find them, you'll usually find more in the same area.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye tuna are the holy grail for serious offshore anglers - these powerful fish can exceed 400 pounds and will give you the fight of your life. They live deep, often 250+ meters down, and have special physiology that lets them hunt in low-oxygen water where other fish can't go. We target them mainly during summer months when they move closer to our canyon edges. What sets bigeyes apart is their incredible stamina and the premium value of their fatty, sashimi-grade meat. They're most active at dawn and dusk when their big eyes give them an advantage. The fight is legendary - long, powerful runs that can last 30 minutes or more on heavy tackle. Best bet is trolling dark-colored lures in the 8-10 inch range just before sunset. Keep the boat moving even after hookup - bigeyes will throw the hook if you stop too quickly.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are hands down one of the most exciting fish we target out here. These golden beauties average 15-29 pounds but can grow much larger - the world record is 87 pounds. They're surface dwellers that love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in our canyon waters. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps hit the upper 70s and 80s. What makes them special? They fight like crazy, jumping and making long runs, plus they're absolutely delicious - mild, sweet, and firm. The color show they put on when first hooked is something else. Here's a local trick: when you see frigate birds working floating debris, get your lines out fast. Mahi travel in schools, so when we hook one, everyone should be ready - we often get multiple hookups.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our offshore trips - these fish can hit 60 mph and will test your reflexes when they strike. They average 3-5 feet long with that distinctive torpedo shape and razor-sharp teeth. We find them in the upper water column around our canyons, usually in 60-200 feet of water. Late summer through fall is prime time here off Cape May. What makes wahoo special is that blistering initial run - they'll peel line like nothing else, then make several more screaming runs. The meat is outstanding too - firm, white, and mild like a cross between tuna and mahi. For wahoo, we troll fast at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since their teeth will cut through anything else. Here's the key: when one hits, don't slow the boat down right away - keep that lure moving for a few seconds or they'll throw the hook.
Halichoeres CyanocephalusThese colorful little fish aren't much of a game species, but they're pretty common around our local structures. Yellowcheeks top out around 11 inches and hang out in 65-300 feet of water, usually over sandy or gravelly bottoms. They've got that bright blue-green body with yellow markings that make them easy to spot. While we're mainly targeting the big stuff offshore, these guys sometimes show up when we're fishing deeper wrecks or canyon edges. They're curious fish and will hit small baits like fresh mussels or marine worms on light tackle. If you're bringing kids along, they get a kick out of these colorful catches. Pro tip: if you hook one, bring it up steady - they don't handle depth changes well, so keep them in the water if you're releasing.
5.0 out of 5.0Me and 5 family members went out for black seas bass, the trip was very successful and we had a great time. The captain and first ...
Landed plenty of sea bass throughout the trip! The captain and first mate were super helpful, always ready with tips and guidance....
What a fun trip! We got into a bunch of Bonita—nonstop action once Captain Clint put us on the spot. The bites just kept coming! K...
Cape May