Raritan Bay Striped Bass Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Two daily 6hour striped bass trips during prime seasonAll fishing equipment provided with 6person maximum capacityDeparts from Brown's boat yard on Raritan Bay's west side
When the spring run kicks into high gear from May through June, there's no better place to be than Raritan Bay chasing stripers. Finatic Sport Fishing runs two daily trips right out of Brown's boat yard in Parlin, putting you on the west side of the bay where the action happens. We're talking serious striper fishing here – not some tourist trap operation. You'll be fishing alongside locals who know these waters like the back of their hand, and trust me, that makes all the difference when the bass are running.
Each trip runs six solid hours, giving you plenty of time to dial in on feeding fish. The early birds launch at 6 AM and fish until noon – perfect for catching the morning bite when stripers are actively feeding in the shallows. If you're not much of a morning person, the afternoon trip from 1 PM to 7 PM lets you sleep in while still hitting prime evening feeding times. We keep groups small at just six anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with tangled lines every five minutes. All your gear comes provided – rods, reels, tackle, bait, the works. Just show up ready to fish and we'll handle the rest. Brown's boat yard sits perfectly positioned on the western edge of Raritan Bay, which means short runs to productive water and more time with lines in the water instead of burning fuel getting there.
Raritan Bay stripers respond best to live bait presentations during the spring run. We'll set you up with bunker chunks, eels, and bloodworms depending on what the fish are keyed in on that day. The bay's structure includes plenty of drop-offs, channels, and shallow flats where stripers ambush baitfish. Drift fishing over these transitions produces consistent action, especially when the tide is moving. We'll also work the shoreline structure with bucktails and soft plastics when fish are holding tight to cover. The beauty of fishing Raritan Bay is the variety – one minute you're working deep channels, the next you're sight fishing to cruising bass in three feet of water. Circle hooks are the standard here for live bait rigs, and we'll show you how to let the fish hook themselves instead of trying to set the hook like you would with a bass on a lake. The boat comes equipped with quality Penn and Shimano combos matched to the fishing we're doing, plus all the terminal tackle you'll need.
Striped bass are the main event in Raritan Bay during May and June, and for good reason. These fish migrate up from their southern wintering grounds to spawn in the Hudson River system, creating some of the best striper fishing on the entire East Coast. You'll encounter everything from schoolie bass in the 18-28 inch range up to keeper-sized fish pushing 30+ inches and 15+ pounds. The bigger bass – what we call "cows" – show up later in the season as water temperatures rise. What makes stripers so special is their fight and their intelligence. They'll test your drag, make multiple runs, and keep you honest throughout the fight. These fish are also excellent table fare when kept within regulations. Raritan Bay stripers feed heavily on bunker, spearing, and crabs, making them chunky and healthy. The spring run coincides with their pre-spawn feeding behavior, so they're aggressive and willing to bite. Plus, New Jersey's striper regulations allow you to keep fish between 28-38 inches, giving you a decent slot to work with for a fish dinner.
The spring striper run doesn't last forever, and the best fishing happens during a pretty narrow window from May through June. Once water temperatures climb too high, these fish push north toward cooler waters, and the bite shuts down until fall. Finatic Sport Fishing has been putting anglers on quality stripers for years, and their knowledge of Raritan Bay's best spots shows in their catch rates. The small group size means personalized attention and better fishing for everyone on board. Whether you're a seasoned striper fisherman or someone looking to get into this addictive style of fishing, these trips deliver the goods. The convenient location at Brown's boat yard makes it easy to get to from anywhere in central New Jersey, and the two daily departure times give you flexibility to work around your schedule. Don't wait until mid-season when everyone else figures out how good the fishing is – book your spot now and get ready for some world-class striper action.
browns boat yard