Cape May Deep Sea Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and White Marlin offshore16hour deepsea charter accommodates up to six guests comfortably44ft Henriques boat travels 6070 miles along continental shelf
Picture this: you're 60-70 miles offshore from Cape May, standing on the deck of a world-class 44-foot Henriques with the continental shelf dropping away beneath you. The twin 700 HP Mercury engines have brought you to some of the most productive fishing grounds on the East Coast, and you're about to spend the next 12-16 hours battling some of the ocean's top predators. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking about a serious offshore adventure that separates the weekend warriors from the dedicated anglers.
When you step aboard our 44-foot Henriques, you'll immediately notice the difference quality makes. With room for up to six anglers, there's plenty of elbow room to fight fish without getting tangled up with your buddies. The spacious cockpit and comfortable seating make those long hours fly by, especially when the bite is hot. We're heading way out to where the water turns that deep blue color – that's where the big boys live. The continental shelf creates upwelling currents that bring baitfish up from the depths, and where there's bait, there are hungry gamefish. Pack your own food and drinks because we'll be out there from dawn to dusk, and trust me, you'll work up an appetite pulling in these monsters.
Once we reach the fishing grounds, it's all about covering water and reading the signs. We'll be trolling a spread of lures and rigged baits at different depths and distances behind the boat. The key is finding the temperature breaks and current edges where these pelagic species like to hunt. You'll see us watching the fish finder constantly, looking for bait schools and marking fish. When a reel starts screaming, that's when the real fun begins. These offshore species are built for speed and endurance – a good-sized yellowfin or bluefin will test every ounce of your stamina and technique. We rotate anglers so everyone gets their shot at the rod, and our crew will coach you through the fight to make sure you land that fish of a lifetime.
Mahi Mahi are the acrobats of the offshore world, and Cape May's waters hold some beauties. These golden bulldogs typically run 10-30 pounds, with bull dolphins pushing 40-50 pounds during peak season. They love floating debris and weed lines, often traveling in schools that can provide non-stop action. What makes mahi so special is their aggressive nature – they'll hit just about anything that moves, and once hooked, they put on an aerial display that'll have you whooping and hollering. Peak season runs from June through September when water temperatures hit their sweet spot.
Wahoo are the drag-busters that'll humble even experienced anglers. These torpedo-shaped predators can exceed 50 mph and regularly reach 30-60 pounds in our waters. They're notorious for making blistering runs that can strip 200 yards of line before you know what hit you. Wahoo have razor-sharp teeth and a nasty habit of cutting leaders, which is why we use heavy wire rigs when targeting them. Fall months bring the best wahoo action as they follow bait migrations along the continental shelf.
Bigeye Tuna are the night shift workers of the tuna family, often caught during early morning and late evening hours. These deep-water bruisers can weigh anywhere from 50-200 pounds and are prized for their fighting ability and table fare. Bigeyes have larger eyes than other tuna species, adapted for hunting in low-light conditions. They're typically found in deeper water along drop-offs and underwater structure, making them a challenging but rewarding target species.
Yellowfin Tuna are what many anglers consider the perfect gamefish – they're fast, strong, and absolutely delicious. Local yellowfins typically range from 20-80 pounds, with occasional giants topping 100 pounds. They're known for their distinctive sickle-shaped fins and incredible stamina. A good yellowfin will make multiple long runs, testing your drag system and endurance. They school with dolphins and often feed on the surface, creating some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities you'll find offshore.
Bluefin Tuna are the holy grail of East Coast fishing, and Cape May sits right in their migration path. These powerful fish can exceed 200 pounds and are built like underwater missiles. Bluefins are incredibly intelligent and can be finicky about what they'll eat, making them a true challenge for even seasoned charter captains. When the bluefin bite is on, usually during cooler months, there's nothing quite like the experience of battling one of these ocean titans on heavy tackle.
This 16-hour offshore adventure isn't for everyone – it's for anglers who want to experience what deep sea fishing is really about. You'll return to the dock tired, sunburned, and probably with a cooler full of some of the finest eating fish that swim. The combination of our top-rated vessel, experienced crew, and access to world-class fishing grounds makes this trip a customer favorite among serious anglers. Whether you're looking to check these species off your bucket list or you're a seasoned offshore veteran, this charter delivers the kind of fishing memories that last a lifetime. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing days fill up fast, and you don't want to miss your chance at the fish of a lifetime.
This 44-foot Henriques fishing machine is built for serious offshore action with twin 700 HP Mercury engines that'll get you to the continental shelf fast. The massive 170 square-foot cockpit gives you and five buddies plenty of room to work the lines when the tuna are running hot. Below deck, you'll find air conditioning to cool off between fights, a full head with shower, galley for prepping bait, and even bunks if someone needs to crash during those marathon 16-hour trips. The flybridge gives your captain perfect visibility for spotting bird activity and working schools, while the fish finder keeps tabs on what's swimming below. With GPS and radar on board, you can push 60-70 miles offshore safely. The transom door makes landing big yellowfin and bluefin a breeze, and there's room for hundreds of pounds of ice to keep your catch fresh. TV and multimedia system help pass time during long runs to the fishing grounds.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye are the night hunters of the tuna family - those oversized eyes help them feed in deeper, darker water than other tunas. They're built heavy, averaging 50-150 pounds with some giants pushing 300+. We find them in 200+ feet of water along drop-offs and canyon edges. Dawn and dusk are magic hours when they move up to feed. What draws people to bigeye is that deep, powerful fight and their incredible sashimi-grade meat - it's some of the best eating in the ocean. They're harder to find than yellowfin but worth the effort. Best advice: switch to darker lures as light fades. Short, stocky lures in the 8-10 inch range work well, and don't be afraid to troll after sunset. Many of our biggest bigeye come in complete darkness.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the ultimate prize - these massive, warm-blooded fish can exceed 500 pounds and fight harder than anything in the ocean. Their dark blue backs and silver sides are unmistakable, plus those small pectoral fins that set them apart from other tunas. We target them anywhere from the surface to 200+ feet, often around structure or temperature breaks. Spring and fall migrations offer the best shots when they're feeding heavily. What makes bluefin special is that combination of size, speed, and stamina - they'll make long runs and deep dives that test every piece of gear. The meat is legendary for sushi. Remember, these fish require federal permits and careful handling. Fresh herring is hard to beat for bait, and don't rush the fight - let your drag do the work.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most colorful fish you'll see offshore - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green backs that put on a light show when they come out of the water. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 40+ on a good day. We find them around floating debris, weedlines, and temperature breaks in that 60-70 mile range. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps are right. What makes mahi special is their aggressive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and tail-walk like crazy. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and work the area hard. Mahi travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and will test your drag system like nothing else. They typically run 20-50 pounds with that distinctive blue and silver striped pattern. We target them in open water along the continental shelf, usually in the top 200 feet. Summer and early fall are prime time when baitfish are thick. What hooks anglers is that lightning-fast strike and blistering runs that'll peel line off your reel. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the grill. Here's the key: use wire leaders because their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. High-speed trolling with diving plugs or skirted ballyhoo at 12-15 knots is your best bet for connecting with these rockets.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of offshore fishing - fast, strong, and built like torpedoes. Most run 40-100 pounds, though we see some pushing 200+. Those bright yellow fins and sickle-shaped tail make them easy to spot. They cruise the upper water column in open ocean, often with dolphins or under birds working bait. Peak season runs May through October when water temps are warmest. Anglers love them for that sustained, powerful fight and versatility on the table - whether seared rare or made into sushi. The key is matching your spread to what they're eating. When trolling isn't working, try chunking with fresh bait to bring them up from the depths. Live bait under a kite can be deadly when conditions are calm.
Cape May, NJ