Back Bay Fishing with Get Hooked Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Familyfriendly inshore fishing trip accommodates up to four guestsMultiple species available including flounder, striper, sharks, and seabassBack bay locations offer some of the best fishing opportunities
Looking for a fishing trip that's perfect for the whole crew? Our back bay fishing adventure is where families make memories and anglers of all levels find their groove. These protected waters offer some seriously productive fishing, and with species ranging from tasty flounder to hard-fighting stripers, you never know what's going to hit your line next. We keep it intimate with just 4 anglers max, so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention from your captain.
Back bay fishing is where the magic happens – away from the crowds and big swells of the open ocean. These shallow, structure-rich waters are like underwater highways for fish, creating perfect ambush spots and feeding zones. You'll be casting around grass beds, working drop-offs, and hitting productive points where baitfish school up thick. The beauty of back bay fishing is the variety – one minute you're bottom bouncing for flounder, the next you're sight-casting to cruising stripers or working a school of bluefish that's pushing bait to the surface. Kids love it because the action stays consistent, and parents appreciate the calmer conditions that make for easier fishing and fewer seasick moments.
We fish these back bays using a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where we find the fish. Light tackle is the name of the game here – spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test give you the sensitivity to feel those subtle flounder bites while still having enough backbone for bigger stripers. We'll have you working everything from bucktails and soft plastics along the bottom to topwater plugs when fish are feeding up high. Bait fishing with live minnows, squid, or bloodworms is deadly effective, especially around structure. Your captain will rig you up with the right setup for the conditions and target species, whether that's a simple high-low rig for sea bass or a fish-finder rig for those bigger stripers cruising the flats.
Summer flounder are the bread and butter of back bay fishing, and these flatfish are masters of disguise. They bury themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs and structure, waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the biggest doormat fluke often caught during incoming tides. What makes flounder so exciting is the hunt – you're constantly moving and prospecting new bottom, and when a good one grabs your bait, that distinctive head-shaking fight tells you immediately you've got something special. Plus, there's no better eating fish in the ocean.
Striped bass are the rock stars of the back bays, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters can show up anywhere from 18 inches to over 40 pounds, and they're incredibly aggressive feeders. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but resident fish hang around all season. Stripers love current breaks, rocky structure, and anywhere baitfish are getting pushed around by the tide. When they're feeding on top, you'll see birds diving and water exploding – that's when you know you're in for some serious action. The fight is what hooks most anglers – long, powerful runs that'll test your drag and your patience.
Bluefish bring the attitude, and these choppers don't mess around when they hit your lure. They travel in schools and feed aggressively, often creating feeding frenzies that'll have everyone on the boat hooked up at once. Summer months are prime time, especially when the water temps are up and baitfish are thick. Blues hit hard and fight dirty, with spectacular jumps and line-peeling runs. Fair warning – they've got razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match, so your captain will handle the unhooking duties. Fresh bluefish makes for excellent table fare when properly bled and iced immediately.
Black sea bass might be smaller than some of our other targets, but they make up for it with numbers and taste. These bottom dwellers love structure – wrecks, rocks, and hard bottom areas where they can ambush prey. They're year-round residents in many back bay areas, though summer and early fall typically produce the best action. Sea bass have a distinctive way of hitting your bait – they'll often grab it and head straight back to their hole, so you need to set the hook quickly. They're also some of the best eating fish you'll find, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Shortfin mako sharks are the wildcards that can turn any back bay trip into an adventure you'll never forget. These speed demons occasionally hunt in the deeper channels and are absolute rockets when hooked. Makos are warm-water fish, so your best shot is during the heat of summer when baitfish are thick and water temps are peaked. When a mako takes your bait, you'll know it immediately – the screaming run and spectacular jumps are pure adrenaline. We practice catch and release with all our sharks, ensuring these apex predators stay healthy for future generations of anglers to experience.
Back bay fishing with Get Hooked Charters delivers everything you want in a family-friendly fishing adventure – consistent action, variety, and the chance to catch some seriously good eating fish. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing or looking for a relaxed day on the water with friends, these protected waters offer the perfect setting. Our experienced captains know these bays like their backyard and will put you on fish while sharing local knowledge that only comes from years on the water. Don't wait – the best fishing days fill up fast, and with only 4 spots available per trip, you'll want to secure your date early.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed to get you on the fish in the back bay waters. This 4-person vessel comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water - from the fish finder that'll help you locate schools of flounder, stripers, and seabass, to the GPS system keeping you on course to the hottest fishing spots. The wireless trolling motor lets you move silently through shallow areas where the big ones like to hide, while the onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold. Whether you're targeting bottom fish or working the surface for stripers, the multimedia system keeps the crew entertained between bites. Perfect for families looking to experience the diverse fishing these back bay waters are known for - you never know if you'll hook into a shark or fill the cooler with dinner!
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our back bay fishing, and for good reason. These silver beauties with their distinctive dark stripes typically run 18-30 inches in the bays, though we see some real cows pushing 40+ inches. They're structure-oriented fish that love hanging around bridge pilings, channel edges, and drop-offs where baitfish gather. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're actively feeding during their migrations. What makes stripers special is their incredible fight - they'll make powerful runs and jump when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with firm, flaky white meat. These fish are smart, so they can be finicky about what they eat. Best tip I can share: fish the moving tides at dawn or dusk with live bait like bunker or eels. Cast near structure and let the current do the work.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the ultimate ambush predators of our sandy bottom areas. These flatfish average 15-20 inches, but the big "doormat" females can hit 5+ pounds and really make your day. They bury themselves in sand and mud flats, waiting to grab unsuspecting baitfish. You'll find them along channel edges, around structure, and over mixed bottom in 8-30 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is prime time, especially on moving tides. Anglers love targeting fluke because they're tricky to hook - they grab your bait and run with it before committing. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish around with delicate, sweet meat. Local secret: use a long leader and let them run with the bait for a few seconds before setting the hook. They bite sideways, so give them time to turn the bait around.
Centropristis StriataThese chunky bottom dwellers are perfect for family fishing trips. Most sea bass we catch run 1-4 pounds, with the occasional keeper pushing 6-8 pounds. They hang around structure - think pilings, jetties, rocky bottom, and channel edges in 10-50 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time when they move into our back bays to feed. What guests love about sea bass is they're reliable biters and excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. They don't run far when hooked, but they'll give you a solid fight straight down toward the bottom. Here's a local trick: drop your bait right to the bottom, then lift it up about a foot. Sea bass like to grab their meal as it's moving just off the structure. Use squid, clams, or small jigs - they're not too picky when they're feeding.
Pomatomus SaltatrixThese aggressive fighters are some of the most exciting fish you'll encounter in our back bays. Bluefish typically run 2-10 pounds, though we occasionally see bigger ones pushing 15-20 pounds. They're voracious feeders with razor-sharp teeth, so they'll hit just about anything you throw at them. You'll find them cruising shallow flats and channel edges, especially during moving tides. Peak season runs late spring through fall when water temps are warm. What makes them special? They fight hard, travel in schools, and make excellent table fare when prepared fresh. The meat has a rich, distinctive flavor that's perfect grilled or smoked. Pro tip: use a wire leader - those teeth will slice through mono in seconds. When you find one, stick around because there's usually a whole school nearby ready to feed.
Isurus OxyrinchusMakos are the sports cars of the shark world - fast, powerful, and absolutely thrilling to battle. These blue-gray torpedoes typically run 100-300 pounds and can reach 13 feet, though most we see are in the 6-8 foot range. They prefer open water but sometimes venture into deeper channels of our back bays chasing schools of bluefish and mackerel. Summer months are best when baitfish are thick and water temps are warm. What makes mako fishing special is their incredible speed and acrobatic jumps - they can leap 20 feet out of the water! The meat is also surprisingly good, similar to swordfish. Fair warning: these are serious predators with razor teeth and attitude. My go-to technique is chumming with ground mackerel and using fresh bluefish on a circle hook with heavy wire leader. Be ready for anything - they're smart and will use every trick to break free.
Absecon, NJ