5.0(7 Reviews)Cape May Inshore Fishing Charter - 4 Hour Trip
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Four-hour family fishing charter aboard 44-ft Henriques motorboatTarget bluefish, striped bass, mackerel with trolling and bottom fishingAccommodates up to six guests with twin 700 HP engines
Looking for a family-friendly fishing adventure that won't break the bank or take up your whole day? This 4-hour inshore charter aboard Gone Fishin' hits the sweet spot. Captain Mark runs a tight ship with his 44-foot Henriques, and trust me, this isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. With just six anglers max, everyone gets plenty of room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. The twin 700 HP Mercury engines get you to the fish fast, and that air-conditioned cabin is a lifesaver when the Cape May sun gets cranking.
Here's the deal - you'll spend about two hours cruising to where the fish are biting, which leaves you with two solid hours of fishing time. Don't worry about the travel time though, because Captain Mark knows these waters like the back of his hand and cruises at 25 knots to get you there quick. Once we're on the grounds, it's game on. You'll be trolling for the bigger predators or dropping bottom rigs depending on what's working that day. The crew handles all the heavy lifting - baiting hooks, untangling lines, and cleaning your catch. All you need to do is hold on tight when something hits your line. The boat's got everything covered, from tackle to ice, so you can focus on the fun part.
Captain Mark switches between trolling and bottom fishing based on conditions and what's hungry. When we're trolling, you'll be pulling umbrella rigs and spoons behind the boat at different speeds to trigger strikes from bluefish and Spanish mackerel. These fish can't resist a fast-moving baitfish imitation, especially when the water temperature is right. For bottom fishing, we'll anchor up over structure where flounder and triggerfish hang out. You'll be using circle hooks with squid, clams, or whatever bait is producing that week. The key is staying patient and feeling for that subtle tap-tap-tap that means dinner is checking out your offering. First mate Joe is a pro at reading the fish finder and adjusting tactics on the fly.
"Another amazing trip with the Gone Fishin crew. This is the second trip for our family & this year was even more spectacular than last year. We caught over a hundred bluefish & some Spanish Mackeral & never stopped catching fish the entire trip! The kids loved it. First mate Joe was exceptional, knowledgeable & absolutely patient & kind & never failed to cast a line or remove a hook from a fish & let the kids throw it back. Joe fileted our Spanish Mackeral, so we could take home & cook. Every minute of this trip was fantastic. Super clean boat, comfortable, air conditioning & a wonderful captain." - Kristina
"Booked with Captain Mark through the site. Had a great time. Nice boat. Very stable. Air-conditioned cabin. I'm 6'4" and I could stand to use the head no problem. Great first mate Joe. Four of us went and each caught between four or five fish. Total of 23 on a 4 hour trip. Had a great day on the water. Highly recommend." - Joe
"Had a good time with Mark and Joe. They are professional and tell you all you need to know and are very helpful. They bait the hooks for you. Clean the fish and help you overall with the experience. My only issue was the water was rough so I got seasick which of course is not their fault. I would do it again if the water was calmer and my stomach allowed lol" - Will
Spanish Mackerel are absolute rockets when they hit your line. These silver speedsters show up in Cape May waters from late spring through early fall, usually weighing 1-3 pounds but fighting like fish twice their size. They've got razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast reflexes, so when one crashes your trolled spoon, you'll know it instantly. What makes them special is their beautiful golden spots and the way they leap clear out of the water when hooked. Plus, they're fantastic on the dinner table - firm white meat that grills up perfectly.
Bluefish are the bread and butter of Cape May fishing, and for good reason. These aggressive predators travel in schools and when you find them, it's usually game on for everyone aboard. They'll hit just about anything that moves - trolled lures, live bait, even bare hooks sometimes. Blues range from snapper-sized juveniles to 10+ pound choppers that'll test your drag system. They're known for their incredibly sharp teeth and never-quit attitude. Even a 3-pound blue will give you a memorable fight with multiple runs toward the boat.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the ultimate bottom-dwelling prize. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud waiting to ambush passing baitfish. The trick is keeping your bait moving just off the bottom - they love a slow drift with a bucktail jig tipped with squid or gulp bait. Keeper fluke need to be at least 18 inches, and a nice doormat over 5 pounds makes for both great photos and better eating. Their unique flat body structure and both eyes on one side make them one of the most interesting catches you'll encounter.
Grey Triggerfish are the bulldogs of the reef. These tough customers have powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish and a stubborn fighting style that'll surprise you. They're not the prettiest fish in the sea, but they make up for it with personality and table fare. Triggers are notorious bait stealers, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook fast when you feel that distinctive pecking sensation. They're most active during warmer months around structure and bottom formations where they can find crabs and other crustaceans
Hit the waters off Cape May aboard Gone Fishin', a 44-foot Henriques fishing machine built for serious anglers. Twin 700 HP Mercury engines get you to the fishing grounds fast at 25 knots, while the massive 170 square-foot cockpit gives your crew of six plenty of room to work lines and land fish. You'll cruise about two hours to reach prime spots where bluefish, striped bass, Spanish mackerel, and flounder are biting. The boat's loaded with everything you need - fish finder to locate schools, GPS navigation, VHF radio, plus creature comforts like air conditioning, heat, TV, and a proper head. There's room for hundreds of pounds of ice to keep your catch fresh, and the transom door makes hauling in big fish a breeze. Whether you're trolling or bottom fishing during your two hours on the grounds, this setup delivers both performance and comfort for a solid day of fishing the Jersey coast.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are speed demons that'll test your tackle and reflexes - these mini-tuna relatives hit 30+ inches and can reach 40 mph when they take off. They're silver with distinctive dark stripes along their backs and show up in big schools during their migration from late summer into fall. Look for them anywhere from 10-50 miles offshore, often feeding on the surface with birds working overhead. While they're not great table fare compared to other species, bonito provide some of the most exciting light-tackle action you'll find - long screaming runs and aerial jumps that'll get everyone on the boat fired up. They make excellent bait for bigger gamefish too. When you find a feeding school, work fast with small metal jigs or spoons trolled at 8-10 knots. Once that school moves on, it might be miles before you see them again, so make every cast count.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the backbone of our summer fishing here - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that range from 2-15 pounds, with the occasional "chopper" hitting 20+. They're grayish-blue on top with that distinctive large mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them in schools from the surf line out to 30+ miles offshore, often feeding in a frenzy that churns the water white. Best action runs June through October, especially when baitfish are thick. Families love targeting them because they're almost always willing to bite and put up a real fight on medium tackle. The meat's great if you bleed them right away and ice them down - darker fish with rich flavor that's perfect smoked. When they're blitzing on top, throw anything shiny, but when they're finicky, try a wire leader with fresh bunker chunks on the bottom.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggerfish are tough, scrappy bottom dwellers that average 1-3 pounds but can push 10+ pounds on our deeper wrecks and hard bottom areas. They've got that distinctive diamond-shaped body, tough leathery skin, and sharp teeth that can cut through just about anything. You'll find them around structure in 60-180 feet, especially during warmer months from June through October. Anglers enjoy the challenge because triggers are notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering before committing. The meat's surprisingly good, with firm white flesh similar to grouper. These fish are smart, so you need to stay alert and set the hook fast when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap. My go-to rig is a chunk of fresh squid on a circle hook with just enough weight to hold bottom - and keep your drag loose because they'll head straight for the wreck when hooked.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are sleek, fast-moving fish that typically run 1-3 pounds around Cape May, though we occasionally see bigger ones up to 8 pounds. You'll recognize them by their silvery sides with yellowish spots and that classic torpedo shape. They travel in schools near the surface, feeding on small baitfish like anchovies and sardines. Peak season here runs May through October when water temps hit the 60s and 70s. Guests love them because they're scrappy fighters that'll take off on long runs, plus they make excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. When trolling for them, keep your speed up around 6-8 knots with small spoons or Clark spoons. Once you hook into a school, work fast because they move quick and won't stick around long if you spook them.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke" as we call them locally, are the ultimate flatfish challenge - they can grow over 8 pounds and are masters of camouflage on sandy bottoms. These ambush predators lie buried in 15-60 feet of water around structure like wrecks, channels, and drop-offs. Peak season runs May through September when they're feeding heavily before their fall migration south. What makes fluke fishing special is you never know if the next bite will be a throwback or a doormat over 5 pounds. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The key is using a bucktail jig tipped with squid or gulp, and bouncing it along the bottom with a slow lift-and-drop retrieve. Always keep moving until you find them - once you locate a productive spot, work it thoroughly.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Mark found himself without a First Mate, so he had to be both captain and mate. It limited our choices of fish, but we sti...
Capt. Mark and his mate Joe gave our family a great day of fishing. Beginners (at best) but we were able to catch 5 sand sharks d...
Booked with Captain Mark through the site. Had a great time. Nice boat. Very stable. Air-conditioned cabin. I’m 6’4” and I could s...
Another amazing trip with the Gone Fishin crew. This is the second trip for our family & this year was even more spectacular than...
Had a good time with Mark and Joe. They are professional and tell you all you need to know and are very helpful. They bait the hoo...
Great trip! Caught fish from moment we arrived to fishing grounds until time to leave. Captain Mark and Brian made it fun and easy...
Cape May, NJ