Cape May Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour Cape May charter targeting bluefish and striped bassTwin 700 HP engines power smooth rides for six guestsProfessional bottom fishing and trolling techniques included
Cape May's waters have been drawing anglers for generations, and this 4-hour charter puts you right in the thick of the action. You'll climb aboard a rock-solid 44-foot Henriques that's built for comfort and packed with twin 700 HP Mercury engines – meaning you'll get to the fish fast and ride smooth doing it. With room for up to six anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between serious fishing and family fun, whether you're teaching the kids how to work a rod or you're a weekend warrior looking to fill the cooler.
Your day starts with about two hours of travel time to reach the prime fishing grounds where Cape May's best fish like to hang out. Don't worry – this isn't wasted time. You'll use these moments to get your gear sorted, talk strategy with your captain, and watch the coastline fade as you head toward the productive waters where bluefish and stripers love to feed. Once you hit the honey holes, you've got two solid hours of fishing time to make it count. The boat's spacious layout means everyone gets room to work their lines without bumping elbows, and those powerful engines ensure you can cover water fast when the fish are moving.
Your captain will read the conditions and adjust tactics accordingly. When the bluefish are schooled up and feeding aggressively, you'll likely troll with diving plugs, spoons, or umbrella rigs to cover water and trigger strikes from active fish. The boat's speed and lure presentation will mimic fleeing baitfish, drawing those aggressive blues right to your hooks. If the bite calls for a more patient approach, you'll anchor up and drop bottom rigs loaded with fresh bait – this is prime territory for flounder lying flat on the sand or black sea bass hugging structure. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on whatever technique is producing fish that day.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag system and put a serious bend in your rod. These silvery torpedoes typically show up in good numbers during the warmer months, especially when water temperatures climb into the 70s. They're absolute suckers for small spoons and jigs worked fast through the water column. What makes them so popular with anglers is their willingness to bite and their acrobatic fights – they'll jump, run, and zigzag like crazy. Plus, they're fantastic eating when you get them on ice quickly.
Bluefish are the main event for most Cape May trips, and for good reason. These toothy predators travel in schools and feed with reckless abandon, often creating surface explosions when they trap baitfish against the surface. Blues range from smaller "snappers" perfect for kids to tackle up to larger fish pushing 10-15 pounds that'll give experienced anglers a real workout. They hit hard, fight dirty, and don't give up easily. You'll find them most active during dawn and dusk feeding periods, but Cape May's blues will often bite throughout the day when conditions are right.
Black Sea Bass are the bottom dwellers that reward patient anglers with steady action and excellent table fare. These chunky fish love structure – wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom where they can ambush crabs and small fish. They're not flashy fighters like blues or mackerel, but they make up for it with their willingness to bite and their firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, with fish ranging from keeper-sized specimens around 15 inches up to trophy fish exceeding 20 inches.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the ultimate light-tackle challenge. These flatfish lie camouflaged on sandy bottom, waiting to ambush passing prey with lightning-fast strikes. What makes fluke fishing so addictive is the technique – you'll drift with the current, bouncing bucktails or rigs tipped with squid and minnow strips just off the bottom. The bite is often subtle, just a slight tick or weight on your line, but setting the hook reveals a fish that fights with surprising strength for its pancake profile. Keeper fluke start at 18 inches in New Jersey waters, but the real prizes are those "doormat" fluke pushing 5-8 pounds.
Grey Triggerfish are the wildcards that show up when you least expect them. These quirky-looking fish have serious attitude and surprisingly strong jaws that can crush shellfish with ease. They're curious by nature and will often investigate anything new in their territory, making them fun targets for anglers who like a challenge. Triggers fight with a unique side-to-side motion that feels completely different from other species, and their compressed body shape lets them use water resistance to their advantage. They're most common during the warmer months and provide excellent eating despite their unusual appearance.
Gone Fishin' Sport Fishing Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish while ensuring everyone has a great time doing it. The 44-foot Henriques gives you the stability and comfort you want for a family trip, while those twin 700s provide the speed and reliability serious anglers demand. Whether you're introducing someone to the sport or you're a seasoned angler looking to explore Cape May's productive waters, this 4-hour charter delivers the perfect mix of travel time, fishing time, and variety. The captain's local knowledge combined with quality equipment and a proven boat means you're set up for success from the moment you cast off the dock. Book your trip now and see why Cape May continues to be one of the Northeast's top fishing destinations.
This 44-foot Henriques fishing machine is built for serious anglers heading out into Cape May waters. Twin 700 HP Mercury engines get you to the fishing grounds fast, while the massive 170 square-foot cockpit gives your crew of up to six plenty of room to work the lines. The transom door makes landing big bluefish and stripers 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 and lounge area. The boat's loaded with everything you need - fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus a full galley, head with shower, and even sleeping quarters. Whether you're bottom fishing for flounder or trolling for Spanish mackerel, this well-equipped sportfisher handles Cape May's inshore waters with confidence.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are steady bottom dwellers that make for reliable action on our trips. These chunky fighters average 1-3 pounds and love hanging around wrecks, reefs, and rocky structure in 30-120 feet of water. They're most active from late spring through early fall when they move inshore to feed. What guests love about sea bass is their dependable bite and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're curious fish that will investigate anything near their territory. During spawning season, the larger males develop a distinctive blue coloration and a prominent hump on their heads. Here's something that works well: when bottom fishing for sea bass, after you feel that first tap, give them a second to fully take the bait. They often mouth it first, then commit to the bite.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are the main target on our Cape May trips, and for good reason. These aggressive fighters typically run 3-8 pounds here, with some larger ones mixed in. They show up in late spring and stick around through fall, feeding heavily in our coastal waters and around structure. Blues are famous for their hard initial run and those sharp teeth - they'll fight all the way to the boat. The meat is tasty when fresh, especially the smaller ones. We find them everywhere from sandy bottom to wrecks, usually in 15-80 feet of water. They travel in schools and feed aggressively on bunker, spearing, and whatever baitfish are around. Pro tip: when we locate a school, keep your bait moving. A motionless offering often gets ignored, but a lively piece of cut bait or a jigged lure will trigger their feeding response.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are tough, scrappy fighters with serious attitude. These medium-sized fish average 2-4 pounds but can reach up to 13 pounds, with thick, leather-like skin and powerful jaws. We typically find them around wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom structure in 40-180 feet of water during warmer months. They're notorious bait stealers with sharp teeth that can cut through shells and crush sea urchins. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive nature and strong fight for their size. The meat is firm and good eating once you get through that tough skin. Triggers are curious and competitive - they'll often rush in to steal bait from other fish. My go-to technique is using small chunks of squid on a strong hook. When you feel that first nibble, don't set the hook right away. Let them chew on it a bit, then reel fast once you feel solid weight.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, streamlined fighters that show up here from late spring through early fall. These silver speedsters typically run 1-3 pounds and love to school up near the surface, making them perfect targets when we're trolling. You'll find them around structure and temperature breaks, usually in 20-60 feet of water. What makes them special is their incredible speed - they'll peel line off your reel in a heartbeat. The meat is excellent too, with a mild flavor that's great grilled or smoked. They hit small spoons and jigs hard, but here's a local trick: when you see diving birds working baitfish, get your lures in there fast. Spanish Mackerel will be right underneath those birds, and once you hook into a school, you can catch them one after another until they move on.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder, or fluke, are the masters of camouflage lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms. These flatfish can surprise you - while most run 1-4 pounds, we occasionally hook doormat-sized fish over 6 pounds. They're most active from late spring through early fall, preferring depths of 10-80 feet around structure edges, channel drop-offs, and areas where current meets calmer water. Flounder are ambush predators that bury in the sand and strike prey passing overhead. The white, flaky meat is outstanding eating. They can be tricky to hook since they grab bait sideways, so patience pays off. A tip that works: when drift fishing, use a long leader with your bait about 12 inches off bottom. The movement from the boat's drift makes your offering look more natural to these picky feeders.
Cape May, NJ