Deep Water Wreck Fishing with Captain Mark's Crew
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Expert captain targets jumbo seabass on offshore wrecks44foot boat travels 3040 miles to prime fishing spotsMaximum six guests enjoy steady action all day
When you're looking for serious bottom fishing action off the Jersey coast, Captain Mark and the Gone Fishin' crew have you covered. This 8-hour deep water charter takes you 30-40 miles offshore to some of the most productive wrecks and reefs around Cape May. You'll be targeting jumbo seabass during peak spring season, when these fish are thick and aggressive. The 44-foot Henriques gets you there fast and comfortable with twin 700 HP Mercury engines, and with only six anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work without bumping elbows. Captain Mark knows these waters like the back of his hand, especially when it comes to finding where the big seabass are holding.
Your day starts early, heading out to the deep water structures where seabass congregate in big numbers. Captain Mark has been running these waters for years and knows exactly which wrecks are producing. The ride out takes about an hour, giving you time to get your gear sorted and talk strategy with the crew. Once you hit the first spot, it's steady action from the drop. These wrecks hold incredible numbers of fish, and during spring season, the seabass are feeding hard after the winter months. You'll be fishing in 80-120 feet of water, dropping down to structure that's loaded with baitfish. The crew keeps things moving efficiently, helping with tangles and making sure everyone stays on fish. Between the seabass, you'll pick up scup, cod, pollock, and the occasional lingcod to keep things interesting.
This is classic Northeast wreck fishing at its finest. You'll be using conventional tackle with 4-8 ounce sinkers to get down through the current and stay tight to the structure. The crew provides all the tackle you need, including high-low rigs, bucktails, and fresh bait. Clams, squid, and sea worms are the go-to baits for seabass, though the crew will switch things up based on what the fish want that day. The key is keeping your bait right on the bottom where these fish feed. Captain Mark uses his electronics to position the boat perfectly over the structure, and he's constantly adjusting to keep you in the strike zone. These wrecks create current breaks and structure that concentrate baitfish, which brings in the gamefish. You'll feel the difference between a seabass bite and the other species pretty quickly - seabass tend to grab and run, while scup will peck at your bait.
Black seabass are the main target here, and for good reason. These chunky bottom dwellers are some of the best eating fish in the ocean, and they put up a solid fight on the way up. Spring seabass in Cape May waters typically run 2-4 pounds, with plenty of keeper-sized fish mixed in with some real doormat specimens. They're aggressive feeders during this time of year, coming out of their winter patterns and feeding heavily. You'll find them tight to the wreck structure, often stacked up in specific spots where the current and bottom features are just right. Scup, or porgies as some folks call them, are another staple of these trips. They're smaller but scrappy, and they make excellent table fare. These fish school up in big numbers around the same structures as seabass. Atlantic cod and pollock add some variety to the mix - the cod are typically smaller cousins of their northern relatives, but they're still fun to catch and good eating. Pollock are silver and strong, giving you a good account of themselves on the way up. Lingcod are the wildcards - these toothy predators can show up anywhere and will grab just about anything you put down there.
Captain Mark's spring seabass trips fill up fast once the season opens, and for good reason. The combination of his local knowledge, top-notch boat, and prime fishing grounds makes for consistently productive days on the water. With only six spots available per trip, you get personalized attention and plenty of space to fish comfortably. The season dates are set by the state and can change, so it's worth booking early to lock in your preferred dates. Whether you're a seasoned bottom fisherman or new to wreck fishing, this trip delivers the goods. The steady action, quality fish, and professional crew make it a top choice for anyone looking to get into some serious seabass fishing off the Jersey coast. Don't wait too long - the best days of spring seabass season book up quick, and you don't want to miss out on some of the year's hottest fishing action.
This 44-foot Henriques motorboat is built for serious offshore fishing adventures. Twin 700 HP Mercury engines power you 30-40 miles out to Cape May's productive wreck sites where jumbo seabass wait. The massive 170-square-foot cockpit gives your group of six plenty of room to fight fish and store your catch on ice. Captain Mark knows these waters inside and out, especially during peak seabass season. The boat's fish finder helps locate the hottest spots around underwater structures. Between the action, relax in the air-conditioned cabin with TV entertainment, grab cold drinks from the fridge, or use the onboard head and shower. The flybridge offers great visibility for spotting birds and bait. With GPS, radar, and VHF radio keeping you connected, this fishing machine has everything needed for a productive day targeting bottom fish on the wrecks.
Gadus MorhuaAtlantic cod are the classic New England groundfish - thick-bodied with that distinctive barbel under their chin and mottled brown coloring. Most run 15-30 pounds out here, though 40-pounders still show up on our deeper wrecks and structure. These bottom dwellers prefer cooler water and rocky or sandy bottom in 60-200 feet, making our offshore grounds perfect habitat. Winter and early spring are your best shots when they move in closer to feed before spawning. Cod are prized for their mild, flaky white meat - there's a reason they built an industry around these fish. They fight steady rather than spectacular, but landing a good cod feels rewarding. Here's what works: fresh clam or squid on a two-hook rig bounced near bottom. Keep your bait moving slightly - cod are curious and will investigate, but they won't chase a stationary offering for long.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are our bread and butter - chunky, aggressive bottom fish that love the same wrecks and rocky structure we target on these trips. Most run 1-4 pounds, though the bigger males holding deeper water can push 6-8 pounds and develop that distinctive hump on their heads. They hang in 30-120 feet around any hard bottom, making our offshore wrecks perfect habitat. Spring and fall seasons are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before their migrations. What guests love about sea bass is they bite aggressively, fight hard for their size, and are outstanding table fare - firm, white, sweet meat that's hard to beat. They'll hit squid, clams, or sea worms on bottom rigs, but here's my trick: add a small white or chartreuse teaser hook above your main bait. Those flashy colors trigger their competitive nature and often double your catch rate.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod aren't actually cod - they're aggressive greenlings with monster mouths full of sharp teeth that'll grab just about anything. Out here in our Atlantic waters, these bottom-dwelling predators are rare but when you hook one, you'll know it. They typically run 2-4 feet long and can weigh 20-30 pounds, with females growing much larger than males. These fish prefer rocky structure in deeper water, usually 100-300 feet down where they ambush prey from their lairs. They're available year-round but seem most active during cooler months. What guests love about lingcod is their pure aggression - they don't run when hooked, they fight hard all the way up. The meat is excellent eating too, firm and white. Pro tip: use a heavy jig and bounce it right on bottom near structure. Once you hook up, keep steady pressure and bring them up quick - they can shake loose if you give them slack.
Pollachius pollachiusPollock are the scrappy cousins of cod, built leaner with a more pronounced underbite and darker coloring. They typically run 15-25 pounds and live around the same wrecks and rocky bottom we fish for sea bass, usually in 100-400 feet of water. These fish are active year-round but seem most aggressive during spring and fall when water temps are moderate. What makes pollock exciting is their raw power - they're stronger than cod and will drag you around the deck if you're not ready for them. The meat is darker than cod but still good eating, especially when fresh. Unlike other bottom fish, pollock will often hit jigs and lures worked aggressively off the bottom. My tip: when you hook one, plant your feet and lean into it. They make long, powerful runs toward structure, so keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to their rocky hideouts.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, also called porgy, are those silver-scaled fish with the compressed bodies you'll often find mixed in with your sea bass catch. They typically run 12-16 inches and make great table fare with their sweet, flaky meat. These bottom feeders love hanging around the same wrecks and rocky structure we target for sea bass, usually in 20-80 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time when they move inshore - they head south and deep when it gets cold. What makes scup popular is they're scrappy fighters for their size and bite aggressively on squid, clams, or sea worms. Here's a tip: when you feel that rapid tapping on your line, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run for a second - their small mouths need time to get the bait in there properly.
Cape May, NJ