Full Day Inshore Fishing Charter in Cape May
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing aboard spacious 44-ft Henriques motorboatTarget Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Flounder in productive Cape May watersAccommodates up to six guests with experienced Captain Mark leading
When you're looking for a serious day of fishing along the Jersey Shore, Captain Mark and his Gone Fishin' Sport Fishing Charters operation delivers exactly what Cape May anglers have been raving about. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back – we're talking eight solid hours on prime inshore waters where the fish are biting and the action keeps coming. You'll be targeting some of the most sought-after species in these waters: hefty stripers, aggressive bluefish, tasty flounder, and scrappy black sea bass. The 44-foot Henriques is built for comfort and fishing, with twin 700 HP Mercury engines that'll get you to the hot spots fast and keep you there all day long.
Your day starts early at Cape May's marina, where you'll meet Captain Mark and get the rundown on tackle, safety, and what's been biting lately. The beauty of an eight-hour charter is the flexibility – we're not rushed, so if the stripers are crushing bait in one spot, we can work it hard. If the action slows, we've got time to move and find where they're feeding. The Henriques rides smooth even when the seas pick up a bit, and with space for up to six anglers, you're never crowded or fighting for rail space. Captain Mark knows these waters like his own backyard – the channels where flounder stack up, the structure that holds sea bass, and the rips where stripers ambush baitfish. You'll fish a mix of live bait, cut bait, and artificials depending on what's working and what species we're targeting.
We run a variety of techniques throughout the day to keep you on fish. For stripers, expect to work with live bunker, eels, or chunk bait around structure and moving water. When the bluefish are schooled up, we'll switch to wire leaders and heavier tackle – these guys will slice through mono in a heartbeat. Flounder fishing means getting down to the bottom with bucktails, spearing, or squid strips, working the sandy areas and channel edges where they're feeding. The boat's rigged with quality rods and reels, but if you've got your own favorite setup, bring it along. Captain Mark carries a full spread of terminal tackle, weights, and leaders, plus a good selection of fresh and frozen baits. The fish finder and GPS keep us on the productive spots, and the captain's constantly watching the tides, wind, and water temperature to put you where the fish are most active.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Cape May inshore fishing, and for good reason. These powerful fighters can range from schoolie size up to trophy fish pushing 40+ pounds. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're migrating along the coast, feeding heavily on bunker, herring, and smaller baitfish. What makes stripers so exciting is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights – they'll test your drag and your arms. The bigger fish love to run hard and dive deep, using their weight and the current against you.
Bluefish bring non-stop action when they're around, traveling in aggressive schools that attack baitfish with incredible ferocity. These toothy predators hit hard and fight dirty, making screaming runs and jumping when they feel the hook. Summer months are prime time for blues in Cape May waters, and they range from snapper size up to chopper blues over 15 pounds. They're not picky eaters – poppers, spoons, cut bait, or live offerings all work when the school moves through.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as the locals call them, are the favorite target for many Cape May anglers because they're both fun to catch and excellent on the table. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for prey to swim by. The fight isn't about speed or power – it's about that distinctive head-shaking battle as they try to throw the hook. May through September is prime time, with the bigger "doormat" fluke often caught in deeper channels and around structure.
Black Sea Bass are the perfect species when you want consistent action and a cooler full of dinner. These bottom dwellers love rocky structure, wrecks, and hard bottom areas where they feed on crabs, worms, and small fish. They're scrappy fighters for their size and incredibly curious, often following hooked fish right up to the boat. The regulations can be tricky with size limits and seasons, but when they're open, sea bass provide some of the most reliable fishing in Cape May waters.
An eight-hour charter with Captain Mark gives you the full Cape May inshore experience without feeling rushed or shortchanged. You're getting a legitimate full day on the water with a captain who knows where to find fish and how to put you on them consistently. The 44-foot Henriques is comfortable enough for the long haul, and with only six anglers maximum, you're getting personalized attention and plenty of room to fish properly. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target trophy stripers or a family group wanting to experience the best of Cape May fishing, this charter delivers the goods. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot.
This 44-foot Henriques motorboat is built for serious fishing in Cape May waters. Twin 700 HP Mercury engines get you to the fish fast and smooth, while the massive 170 square-foot cockpit gives your crew of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work the lines. The transom door makes landing big stripers and blues a breeze, and there's space for hundreds of pounds of ice to keep your catch fresh. When you need a break from the action, retreat to the air-conditioned cabin with TV, full kitchen, and comfortable lounge area. The boat comes loaded with a fish finder to locate the hotspots, GPS navigation, radar, and VHF radio for safe communication on the water. After a long day targeting flounder and whatever else is biting, you can clean up in the onboard shower and grab cold drinks from the refrigerator. The flybridge offers great visibility for spotting birds and baitfish.
Centropristis StriataThese chunky bottom dwellers are real crowd-pleasers, running 1-4 pounds with the occasional 6-8 pounder mixed in. You'll find them around wrecks, rocky bottom, and structure in 20-80 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time when they move inshore to feed. What makes them special is they're excellent eating - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They fight hard for their size, making strong runs toward structure. The males turn brilliant blue during spawning season, which is pretty cool to see. My tip: use circle hooks with squid or clam strips, and fish right on the bottom. When you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap, give them a second before setting the hook.
Pomatomus SaltatrixThese aggressive fighters show up in Cape May waters from late spring through fall, running anywhere from 2-15 pounds. Blues are famous for their feeding frenzies - when they're on, they'll hit anything you throw at them. You'll find them around structure, over sandy bottoms, and chasing baitfish near the surface. They put up a solid fight and make excellent table fare when bled immediately. The key is using wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through regular line in a heartbeat. When the water hits 60-70 degrees, start looking for bird activity - that's usually where you'll find the blues tearing into schools of bunker or peanuts.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our local fishery, ranging from schoolie size up to 40+ pound cows. These silver-sided bruisers cruise structure like jetties, drop-offs, and around baitfish schools. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're feeding heavily. What makes them special is the fight - they'll make strong runs and test your drag. Plus they're excellent table fare. You'll find them in 10-60 feet of water around moving tide and current breaks. The secret is matching your bait to what they're feeding on - live bunker, eels, or clams work great. Fish the tide changes and look for birds working - that's when the magic happens and these fish really turn on.
Paralichthys DentatusFluke are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish. Most run 15-20 inches, but the bigger "doormat" females can hit 5+ pounds and make for great photos. Spring through fall is peak season when they move into shallow bays and along the coast. What guests love is the challenge - you need to feel that subtle pickup and set the hook just right. They're also some of the best eating fish in our waters. The trick is drifting slowly with the current, bouncing a bucktail tipped with squid or gulp along the bottom. Keep your rod tip up and watch for that light bite - fluke have soft mouths, so don't horse them.
Cape May, NJ