5.0(2 Reviews)Kid-Friendly Shark & Flounder Trip in Avalon
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Kid-friendly 2-hour back bay fishing trip in Avalon watersTarget flounder, sea bass, and small sharks with expert guidesAll equipment included for families up to 5 guests
Want to get your kids hooked on fishing? This 2-hour back bay adventure in Avalon is perfect for young anglers ready to learn the ropes. Captain Jerry and the Diamond Jig Charters crew know exactly how to make fishing fun for kids while teaching them real techniques. You'll be targeting flounder, sea bass, and even small sharks in the calm waters behind Avalon - no rough seas or seasickness to worry about. With all gear included and room for up to 4 guests, this top-rated family trip gives kids hands-on experience with casting, baiting, and fighting fish. The back bay setting is ideal for beginners, offering plenty of action without the intimidation factor of offshore fishing.
This isn't just a boat ride - it's a real fishing education. Your kids will learn how to properly bait hooks, cast lines, and work a fish from hook-up to the boat. The back bay waters around Avalon are protected and calm, making it easy for young anglers to focus on technique instead of fighting seasickness. Captain Jerry has a reputation for patience and knows how to keep kids engaged when the bite slows down. The 2-hour timeframe is perfect - long enough to get some solid fishing time but short enough to hold young attention spans. You'll be fishing productive flats and drop-offs where flounder love to hang out, plus structure areas that hold sea bass and small sharks. The crew provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
We're talking light tackle fishing here - perfect for kids to handle. The crew sets up rods with spinning reels that are easy for small hands to manage. For flounder, you'll be using simple bottom rigs with circle hooks and fresh bait like squid or minnows. The technique is straightforward: drop to the bottom, feel for that telltale flounder bite, and set the hook. Sea bass fishing involves similar bottom tactics but around structure where these fish like to hide. When targeting the small sand tiger sharks, the crew might switch to slightly heavier tackle and different bait presentations. Kids learn to read their rod tips, feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact, and develop the patience that makes good anglers. The beauty of back bay fishing is that it's forgiving - plenty of fish, calm conditions, and room for mistakes while learning.
"My family had a great trip out with Captain Jerry! He knew where to go, patient with all guests, and made sure everyone had a great time! Flounder for dinner! Highly recommend Diamond Jig for a great experience! Definitely will go again!! Thank you!!" - Shannon
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of back bay fishing around Avalon. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. They're most active during moving tides and can be found in depths from 3 to 20 feet. Kids love flounder because they fight differently than other fish - more of a bulldogging pull than jumping around. Plus, they're excellent eating, so there's the reward of taking dinner home. Summer through early fall offers the best flounder action, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 16-inchers up to doormat-sized specimens pushing 5 pounds or more.
Sea Bass are scrappy little fighters that kids absolutely love to catch. These bottom dwellers hang around structure like pilings, rocks, and drop-offs throughout the back bay system. They're aggressive feeders and will hit everything from squid strips to small jigs. What makes sea bass perfect for young anglers is their willingness to bite and their spirited fight - they'll shake their heads and make multiple runs toward structure. You'll find them year-round in New Jersey waters, but summer offers the most consistent action. Most fish run 1 to 3 pounds, perfect size for kids to handle while still providing enough fight to be exciting.
Sand Tiger Sharks bring an element of excitement that gets kids talking for weeks afterward. These small sharks, usually 2 to 4 feet long, are common in the back bays during warmer months. They're completely harmless but provide that "I caught a shark!" bragging rights every young angler wants. Sand tigers are actually quite docile and make for great photo opportunities before release. They feed on small fish and crabs, so they'll hit the same baits you're using for other species. The key is their seasonal presence - they move into the back bays during summer when water temperatures rise, making them a reliable target species for this trip.
Diamond Jig Charters has built a solid reputation for delivering quality family fishing experiences in Avalon's back bay waters. Captain Jerry's patience with young anglers and ability to find fish consistently makes this a customer favorite trip. With only 4 guest spots available, these family-friendly charters book up quickly, especially during prime summer months. The hands-on learning experience, calm water conditions, and variety of target species create the perfect introduction to fishing for kids. Whether your young angler lands their first flounder, battles a feisty sea bass, or gets that epic shark photo, this 2-hour adventure delivers memories that spark lifelong fishing passion. All equipment is provided, so just bring your family's sense of adventure and get ready to create some fishing stories worth telling.
Our trusty 20' Carolina Skiff is built for family fishing adventures in Avalon's back bay waters. This reliable 2000 model runs on a smooth 90HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the best fishing spots without scaring away your catch. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, this boat keeps things cozy while you're teaching the kids how to hook flounder, bass, and maybe even a small shark. The GPS keeps us on course while the fish finder helps locate where the action is hiding below. With calm bay waters and plenty of room to move around, it's an ideal setup for young anglers learning to cast their first lines. The shallow draft design lets us access those productive back bay areas where fish love to feed.
Carcharias TaurusSand tiger sharks might look intimidating with those needle-like teeth, but they're actually pretty docile and perfect for kids to experience their first shark. These brownish-gray sharks with spotted backs typically run 6-8 feet in our waters. Despite the scary appearance, they're slow-moving bottom dwellers that hang in shallow bays and sandy coastal areas. Summer months bring them into our local waters where they hunt at night for small fish and crabs. What makes them special is watching kids' faces light up when they realize they caught a real shark - it's pure magic. The fight is steady rather than explosive, making them manageable for young anglers. Pro tip: fresh cut bait works best, and since they're bottom feeders, make sure your weight gets that bait down to the sand where they're cruising.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are perfect for young anglers - they're aggressive biters and put up a solid fight for their size. These dark, stocky fish typically run 12 inches and weigh around a pound, with some reaching 26 inches. You'll find them around hard bottom areas, jetties, wrecks, and rocky structure from spring through fall. They travel in schools and eat almost anything - shrimp, crabs, worms, and small fish. What makes them special is the excellent table fare; many high-end restaurants serve them. They hit baits hard and don't give up easy, which keeps kids engaged. The key trick I share: once you find one, work that spot thoroughly. Where there's one sea bass, there's usually a whole school. Drop your bait right back down after landing the first fish - you'll often get multiple hookups.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are one of the coolest fish we target in our back bay waters. These flat, oval-shaped fish have both eyes on their left side and can change color to blend perfectly with sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They love shallow bays, estuaries, and coastal waters with soft bottoms. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Kids love catching them because they're easier to spot once hooked - no mistaking that flat profile! The meat is excellent eating too. My go-to tip: drift slowly over sandy flats and watch for that telltale cloud of sand when they spook - that's where you want to drop your bait.
5.0 out of 5.0My family had a great trip out with Captain Jerry! He knew where to go, patient with all guests, and made sure everyone had a grea...
Avalon, NJ