Cape May Inshore Fishing Charter - 4 Hours
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.
What to Expect on the Water
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.
Trolling and Bottom Fishing
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.
Customer Stories
"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
Species You'll Want to Hook
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