5.0(7 Reviews)Family Bluefish Charter Aboard 44ft Gone Fishin'
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Fourhour family fishing charter aboard 44foot motorboatTarget bluefish, striped bass, and flounder inshoreAccommodates six guests with twin 700 HP engines
Looking for a solid day of fishing off Cape May? This 4-hour inshore charter aboard Gone Fishin' hits all the right notes. Captain Mark runs a tight ship with his 44-foot Henriques sportfisher, powered by twin 700 HP Mercury engines that'll get you to the fish fast and smooth. With room for up to six anglers, it's perfect for families or small groups who want to experience some of Jersey's best inshore action without breaking the bank or spending all day at sea.
You'll cruise out at a comfortable 25 knots, covering about two hours of travel time to reach the prime fishing spots Captain Mark knows like the back of his hand. That leaves you with two solid hours of fishing time - and trust me, that's plenty when the bite is on. The boat's got air conditioning for those hot summer days, a clean head that's roomy enough for tall folks, and deck space that doesn't have you bumping elbows with your fishing buddies. The crew handles all the heavy lifting - baiting hooks, netting fish, and cleaning your catch so you can focus on what matters: getting bent rods and full coolers. Bluefish are your bread and butter target here, but don't be surprised if you tie into some chunky striped bass, tasty Spanish mackerel, or doormat flounder.
Captain Mark switches up tactics based on what's biting and where the fish are holding. Trolling is the go-to method when blues and Spanish mackerel are running - you'll pull umbrella rigs, spoons, and diving plugs through the water column while the boat moves at steady speeds. It's fish-on action that keeps everyone busy, especially when you hit a school of hungry blues. When conditions call for it, you'll drop down with bottom rigs targeting flounder, triggerfish, and whatever else is hanging around the structure. The crew provides all tackle and bait, so you don't need to worry about rigging up or figuring out what's working. They know these waters and adjust the approach based on tide, weather, and recent fish reports.
"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
"Great trip! Caught fish from moment we arrived to fishing grounds until time to leave. Captain Mark and Brian made it fun and easy!!" - Christopher
Spanish Mackerel are absolute rockets when they hit your line, and Cape May's waters see good runs from late spring through early fall. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They school up in massive numbers when conditions are right, creating fast action that'll have everyone on deck hooked up at once. The meat is excellent eating - firm, white, and perfect for grilling. Best part is they're not finicky eaters, so even kids can get in on the action with simple spoon or small plug presentations.
Bluefish are the bread and butter of Cape May inshore fishing, and for good reason. These aggressive predators show up in huge schools and attack anything that moves. Summer and fall bring the best action, with fish ranging from snapper blues perfect for kids to hefty choppers that'll test your drag. Blues are fighting machines - they'll make blistering runs and jump when hooked. While they're not everyone's favorite table fare due to their oily meat, fresh blues properly bled and iced make decent fish cakes or smoked fish.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the holy grail of Cape May bottom fishing. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush baitfish. Keeper size starts at 18 inches in New Jersey waters, but the real trophies push 5-8 pounds and are absolute door mats. Peak season runs May through September, with the bigger fish typically showing up in deeper water as summer progresses. Fluke are fantastic eating - sweet, white, flaky meat that's perfect for any preparation. They're also tricky to hook since they often mouth the bait before committing, making every bite an exercise in patience and timing.
Grey Triggerfish might not win beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters that'll surprise you with their power. These oddball-looking fish have strong jaws designed for crushing shellfish and won't give up easy once hooked. They're more common in warmer months and tend to hang around structure where they feed on crabs and mollusks. Triggerfish have a unique fighting style - they turn sideways and use their deep body to leverage against the current. The meat is firm and tasty, though cleaning them takes some know-how since their skin is tough as leather.
Atlantic Bonito are speed demons that show up during their seasonal migrations, usually in late summer and fall. These mini-tunas are built for
The Gone Fishin' is a 44-foot Henriques motorboat built for serious anglers heading out into Cape May waters. Twin 700 HP Mercury engines push this fishing machine at a comfortable 25-knot cruise, getting you to the productive grounds fast and back to port with your catch. The oversized 170-square-foot cockpit gives everyone room to work their lines without bumping elbows, while the transom door makes landing big stripers and blues a breeze. Below deck, you'll find air conditioning for those hot summer days, a head, galley, and even bunks if someone needs a break from the action. The captain runs top-shelf electronics including GPS, radar, fish finder, and VHF radio to locate schools and keep everyone safe. Whether you're bottom fishing for flounder or trolling for spanish mackerel, this boat handles up to six anglers with plenty of space for gear, bait, and your cooler full of cold drinks.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are like miniature tuna on steroids – built for speed and always ready to run. These silver speedsters typically weigh 3-8 pounds and can hit 40 mph when chasing baitfish. You'll spot their schools by watching for bird activity in 30-100 feet of water from late summer into fall. They travel in large groups, often feeding on the surface with their dorsal fins cutting through the water like small sharks. While they're not great table fare here in the States, they put up an amazing fight that'll test your tackle. Kids especially love them because once you find a school, the action can be non-stop. The secret is speed – troll small spoons, cedar plugs, or soft plastics at 8-10 knots right through the feeding frenzy. When you hook one, keep the boat moving because the school will follow the hooked fish, giving everyone a chance.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the bullies of our local waters, and they'll give you a fight you won't forget. These aggressive feeders typically run 2-10 pounds around Cape May, with their razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws. You'll find them in schools from spring through fall, with the best action usually in late summer when they're feeding heavily before their southern migration. They cruise everything from surf zones to 40-foot depths, especially around structure and bait schools. What guests love about blues is their aggressive strikes and strong runs – they'll bend your rod and test your drag. The meat's great when fresh, especially the smaller "snappers" under 5 pounds. Here's the key: when you find feeding birds diving on baitfish, get your lure in there quick. Blues will hit almost anything shiny, but cut them up fast and ice them down right away for the best eating.
Balistes CapriscusThese tough little fighters are like underwater bulldogs with attitude – grey triggers pack a serious punch for their size. Most run 12-17 inches and weigh 2-4 pounds, but don't let that fool you. They hang around hard bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 60-150 feet of water, using their powerful jaws to crunch through crabs and sea urchins. Late summer and early fall bring the best action when they move inshore to feed. What makes triggers fun is their scrappy fight and the challenge of hooking them – they're notorious bait stealers with those sharp teeth. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. The trick is using small hooks with tough baits like squid chunks, and when you feel them pecking, don't set the hook too early. Let them take it and run a bit first, then reel fast and steady to get them off the bottom before they dive back into structure.
Scomberomorus MaculatusThese speedy silver bullets are some of the fastest fish you'll encounter off Cape May, hitting speeds that'll surprise you. Spanish mackerel typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-4 pounds, with their distinctive yellow spots making them easy to identify. You'll find them in schools near the surface during warmer months, usually from late spring through early fall when water temps hit the 60s and 70s. They love to chase baitfish around structure and drop-offs in 20-60 feet of water. What makes them popular with families is their willingness to hit lures and their excellent table fare – mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or fried. Pro tip: when you see diving birds working an area, get there fast and troll small spoons or jigs at about 6-8 knots right through the action.
Paralichthys DentatusFluke are the ultimate ambush predators – these "chameleons of the sea" blend perfectly with sandy bottoms while waiting to hammer your bait. Most run 15-20 inches around Cape May, but we regularly see doormat-sized fish pushing 5-8 pounds. They hang out on sandy flats, around structure, and near drop-offs in 15-50 feet of water. Best fishing runs from late spring through early fall, with September and October being prime time as they fatten up before heading offshore. What makes fluke special is the challenge – they're finicky biters that require patience and technique. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the ocean. My go-to tip: use a long leader with your bait about 12 inches off the bottom, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
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