Half Day Atlantic City Bass & Flounder Trip
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Halfday back bay fishing targeting bass, flounder, and weakfishCaptain Jim provides expert guidance in Atlantic City watersSmall group experience with maximum five guests aboard
Captain Jim knows these Atlantic City back bay waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This half-day afternoon charter targets three of South Jersey's most sought-after species - Black Sea Bass, Southern Flounder, and Spotted Weakfish. With room for just 5 anglers, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between coming home with fish stories and coming home with fish. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting your feet wet in the saltwater game, this top-rated charter delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
You'll meet Captain Jim at the dock for your afternoon departure, where the real magic happens in Atlantic City's productive back bay system. These protected waters offer consistent action without the rough seas of offshore fishing, making it perfect for anglers of all experience levels. The half-day format gives you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques while still getting you back to shore with time to spare. Captain Jim's local knowledge means you'll be fishing the most productive structure and tide conditions, not wasting time searching empty water. The intimate 5-person capacity ensures everyone gets prime fishing time and personal instruction when needed. This isn't a cattle boat operation - it's serious fishing with a captain who genuinely wants to see you succeed.
Captain Jim runs a variety of proven techniques depending on conditions and what the fish are telling him. For Black Sea Bass, you'll be working structure with bait rigs and jigs, feeling for that telltale thump when a bass inhales your offering. Flounder fishing involves a more finesse approach, using lighter tackle to work baited rigs along sandy bottoms where these flatfish ambush prey. Weakfish require reading the water column and adjusting depths as schools move with baitfish. All tackle and bait are provided, though seasoned anglers are welcome to bring their own gear if they prefer. Captain Jim stocks quality circle hooks, sinkers, and fresh bait to maximize your hookup ratio. The boat's fish finder and GPS help locate productive spots, but it's the captain's decades of experience that really puts fish in the cooler.
Black Sea Bass are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These chunky bottom dwellers pack serious fight into their compact frames, often surprising first-timers with their bulldogging power. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 12-inchers up to trophy specimens pushing 20 inches. They're structure-oriented fish, so you'll be working around rocks, wrecks, and pilings where they ambush crabs and small baitfish. What makes bass fishing so addictive is their aggressive nature - when you find them, you often find them in numbers.
Southern Flounder are the thinking angler's target, requiring patience and technique to master. These masters of camouflage lie buried in sand and mud, waiting to engulf unsuspecting prey. Summer months bring the best flounder action in Atlantic City's back bays, with fish ranging from slot-sized keepers to genuine doormat specimens over 5 pounds. The thrill comes from the subtlety - feeling that gentle tick on your line that signals a flounder has picked up your bait, then setting the hook before they realize something's wrong. Many anglers become obsessed with perfecting their flounder technique because it's equal parts art and science.
Spotted Weakfish are the wildcards that can turn a good day into a great one. These beautiful silver fish are known for their seasonal runs and schooling behavior, often appearing in numbers when conditions align. They're excellent table fare and put up a respectable fight on appropriate tackle. Weakfish populations have rebounded in recent years, making Atlantic City one of the more consistent spots to target them. They're often caught while fishing for other species, but when Captain Jim marks schools on the finder, he'll put you right in the action with targeted presentations.
This world-class back bay fishing experience fills up quickly, especially during prime season when all three target species are most active. Captain Jim's reputation for putting clients on fish has made this a customer favorite among both locals and visiting anglers. The combination of his local expertise, quality equipment, and productive fishing grounds creates the perfect recipe for a successful day on the water. Don't wait until the last minute to secure your spot - the best fishing days book weeks in advance. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to saltwater fishing or add some variety to your angling adventures, this half-day trip delivers maximum action in minimum time. Contact GregMar Charters today and get ready to experience some of the best fishing Atlantic City has to offer.
Captain Jim's motorboat is perfectly rigged for your Atlantic City back bay fishing adventure. This well-equipped vessel comfortably handles up to 5 anglers and comes loaded with all the essentials for a productive day chasing bass, flounder, and weakfish. The GPS navigation keeps you on course through the bay's channels, while the radar system ensures safe passage even when visibility drops. The real game-changer is the fish finder – it'll help locate those holding spots where the fish are stacked up. When you need a break between bites, there's a comfortable bed onboard, plus a toilet so you won't have to cut your fishing short. The boat's design is ideal for flats fishing, allowing Captain Jim to get you into those shallow productive waters where these species love to feed. With reliable power and all the modern electronics, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are some of the scrappiest fighters we target on these trips. These chunky, dark-colored fish average 2-4 pounds but can push 8+ pounds if you're lucky. They're structure lovers - you'll find them around wrecks, jetties, rocky bottoms, and old pilings in depths under 120 feet. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. What's wild is they all start as females and change to males as they grow, with the big males developing a pronounced hump on their heads during spawning. They put up a serious fight until they break the surface, then usually give up. The bigger fish hang in deeper water, so we often target different depths depending on what size you're after. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My tip: use squid strips or clams on a two-hook bottom rig, and don't be afraid to bounce it along the structure - that's where they're waiting.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise in our local waters. These flat, oval-shaped fish can change color to match whatever bottom they're lying on - sand, mud, you name it. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see plenty that'll surprise you. They're perfect ambush predators, burying themselves in the bottom and waiting for baitfish, shrimp, or crabs to swim by. You'll find them in shallow coastal areas, bays, and estuaries over sandy or muddy bottoms. The cool thing about flounder is they have both eyes on one side of their head - usually the left side. They're active year-round, but adults head offshore in winter. Guests love them because they're great eating and fun to target. The key is fishing right on the bottom with live bait like bull minnows or mullet. Use a light sinker and let your bait drift naturally - when they hit, give them a second to turn the bait before setting the hook.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted weakfish are some of the most reliable fighters you'll find in our back bay waters. These silvery beauties with their distinctive dark spots typically run 12-16 inches, though we've pulled some real trophies pushing 3 feet. They're ambush predators that love hanging around seagrass beds and sandy bottoms in shallow water, especially during those warm summer months when they move closer to shore. What makes them special is that croaking sound they make - they're part of the drum family, not actually trout. The bite is usually best from spring through late summer when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Their meat is top-notch eating, and they'll give you a solid fight. Pro tip: keep your retrieve slow and steady until you see them following, then speed it up to trigger that strike. Their mouths are soft, so don't horse them in.
Atlantic City