5.0(9 Reviews)Half Day Back Bay Fishing in Avalon, NJ
5.0(9 reviews)
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Top Rated
Fourhour back bay fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesSpacious 20foot skiff accommodates up to four guests comfortablyAll fishing equipment, bait, and tackle provided by experienced guides
Looking for a solid fishing trip that won't eat up your whole day? Our 4-hour back bay charter in Avalon hits the sweet spot. You'll fish aboard a roomy 20-foot skiff with captains who know these waters like the back of their hand. We're talking about guys who've been working these back bays for years, putting clients on fish day after day. Whether you're bringing the family or planning a guys' trip, this half-day adventure gives you plenty of action without the commitment of a full-day offshore run. We supply all the gear, bait, and tackle - just bring yourself and maybe some snacks.
The back bays around Avalon are a different world from the open ocean. Here, you're fishing protected waters where the action stays consistent even when it's blowing outside. Our captains cruise to proven spots where structure holds fish - think channel edges, grass flats, and around the bridges where baitfish get pushed by the current. The 20-foot skiff gives you room to move around and cast without bumping into each other, plus it draws shallow enough to get into those productive back-country spots the bigger boats can't reach. You'll spend your time drifting with bait, casting lures to structure, and learning how to read the water from guys who do this every single day. The pace is relaxed but productive - perfect for beginners getting their feet wet or experienced anglers wanting to try some new techniques.
We fish these back bays with medium spinning tackle that's perfect for the mix of species you'll encounter. Most of the time, we're using bucktails with gulp trailers bounced along the bottom for flounder, or throwing soft plastics around structure for stripers and trout. When the bluefish are around, we'll switch to spoons or small poppers that get them fired up. The beauty of back bay fishing is you don't need heavy tackle or complicated rigs - just good presentation and knowing where to put your bait. Our captains will show you how to feel the bottom, work a jig properly, and set the hook when you get bit. If you're new to saltwater fishing, this is hands-down the best way to learn because you're not dealing with big seas or complicated offshore techniques. Everything we use is provided, from rods and reels to terminal tackle and fresh bait.
"Great bay fishing! On time, knowledgeable, friendly and patient. I will do this again! Thanks team!" - Ricki
"Great trip with Capt Doug. Landed 12 Fluke. Amazing service and wonderful stories. I would recommend these guys to anyone who wants to catch fish and have a relaxing time. Thanks for everything. Mark" - Mark
"Me and my four teenage boys plus one of their friends went out with Captain Doug. We all caught fish and had an amazing time. I think we caught around 15 fish and one keeper. At the end we fought with a 75 pound cow head stingray for at least 25 minutes and it was awesome! The fight went over our allotted time but Captain Doug let us fight him until he surrendered and was next to the boat. Captain Doug, who is a retired game warden, was also very knowledgeable, open to questions, and extremely friendly. The biggest and best advice I can give anyone reading this is to listen to the Captain about wearing a long sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes. Just deal with the heat. Don't be like me who wore shorts and flip flops because the greenheads will eat you alive! If you are debating this vs a party boat I would highly recommend going this route. We will definitely be back to fish with Diamond Rig Charters!!!" - John
Southern flounder are the bread and butter of back bay fishing here in Avalon. These flatfish hang out on sandy bottoms and around structure, ambushing baitfish that drift by. Summer flounder season runs from spring through fall, with the best action typically in the warmer months when they're actively feeding. What makes fluke so much fun is the way they hit - sometimes it's a solid thump, other times just a subtle weight on your line. Learning to detect those light bites and set the hook properly is part of the challenge. When you get one to the boat, you'll see why they're such a popular target - excellent table fare and a real sense of accomplishment when you boat a keeper.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of the northeast coast, and our back bays hold some beautiful fish. These guys are structure-oriented and love to feed around bridges, jetties, and channel edges where the current concentrates baitfish. Stripers can be finicky, so having a captain who knows their feeding patterns makes all the difference. They'll hit everything from live bait to soft plastics, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. The fight is strong and steady, and even smaller school bass put up a good scrap. These fish are catch-and-release during certain times of the year, but the experience of hooking into one never gets old.
Sea trout, or weakfish as the old-timers call them, are one of the most underrated gamefish in these waters. They've got a soft mouth that gives them their nickname, so you need to be careful with your drag and hook sets. Trout love grass flats and shallow water, especially during low-light periods. They're aggressive feeders when conditions are right, and they'll absolutely crush a properly presented bucktail or soft plastic. The bite can be subtle, so staying in touch with your bait is crucial. When you find a school of trout, the action can be fast and furious.
Bluefish are the pit bulls of the back bay - pure aggression and non-stop action when they're around. These toothy pre
Step aboard our reliable 20' Carolina Skiff and get ready to explore Avalon's productive back bay waters. This well-maintained 2000 model runs on a smooth 90HP Unforgettable engine, giving you a comfortable ride to the best fishing spots where flounder, striped bass, and sea trout are waiting. The boat handles beautifully in shallow waters and tight channels where the big fish like to hide. Our GPS navigation keeps us on target while the fish finder helps locate schools below. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast lines without getting tangled up with your buddies. The open layout makes it easy to move around when fighting fish or switching spots. Whether you're dropping lines for bottom-dwelling flounder or casting for cruising stripers, this boat gets you where the action is. All your gear, bait, and tackle are included, so just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods on New Jersey's prime fishing waters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod - aggressive predators that hit lures like freight trains and fight hard all the way to the boat. These torpedo-shaped fish run anywhere from snapper-size juveniles to 10+ pounders with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through careless fingers. Summer brings the best action in our bays and tidal rivers, especially when they're in feeding frenzies chasing baitfish. They're not picky eaters - chunks of oily bait, spoons, and topwater plugs all work great. What makes them special is their willingness to bite and that aggressive strike that wakes everyone up on the boat. Just remember to bring wire leaders since those teeth will slice through regular line. Watch for diving birds - that's your sign the blues are feeding below.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a blast to catch and even better on the dinner table. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 1-5 pounds and love hanging around grass flats and shallow bay areas. They're most active during dawn and dusk, making our early morning trips perfect for targeting them. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's softer than most inshore fish - just don't overcook it. They hit topwater plugs, plastic shrimp, and jigs with enthusiasm, putting up a scrappy fight for their size. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels. My go-to trick is working plastic tail grubs slowly along the bottom near grass beds - that's where they like to ambush their prey.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of disguise in our back bays, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These oval-shaped flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we've seen some real doormat-sized ones pushing 20+ pounds. Both eyes sit on one side of their head - usually the left - which always gets a laugh from first-timers. They're perfect for beginners since they bite well on live minnows, mullet, and shrimp. Fall and winter months bring the best action as they move to deeper channels. What guests love is how they fight differently than other fish, using their flat body to pull sideways. The key is patience - let them take the bait and run before setting the hook, since they're slower to commit than other species.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of our Avalon waters, running 20-40 pounds on average with that classic fight that keeps your rod bent. You'll find them cruising around structure - bridge pilings, drop-offs, and sandy bars where they ambush baitfish. These silvery beauties with their distinctive black stripes hit hard and taste even better, making them a favorite for both novice and seasoned anglers. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during their migration periods. They're not the fastest swimmers, but they're strong and stubborn once hooked. Pro tip: look for birds working the surface - that's usually where the stripers are feeding on baitfish underneath.
5.0 out of 5.0Great bay fishing! On time, knowledgeable, friendly and patient. I will do this again! Thanks team!
Thank you. It was our pleasure taking you and your family out fishing
Great trip with Capt Doug. Landed 12 Fluke. Amazing service and wonderful stories. I would recommend these guys to anyone who want...
Thank you. Glad everyone had fun and made some lasting memories
We had a great time with Captain Jerry. They had us on the fish all day, and the kids really enjoyed our time on the water.
Captain Jerry and his team were amazing! The back bay fishing trip was the perfect addition to our family vacation.
We went out with Captain Doug. Captain was very knowledgeable about the local fishing grounds. The weather didn’t cooperate but ...
Thank you for booking with Diamond Jig Charters LLC. I appreciate your business but most importantly...
Awesome trip with Captain Jerry!
Thank you it was fun fishing with all of you. Again Thank you for your Service
Don Harrison, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Me and my four teenage boys plus one of their friends went out with Captain Doug. We all caught fish and had an amazing time. I th...
John Madsen, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Avalon, NJ