Guided Inshore Fishing Trip, New Jersey Backwaters
Private Trip
Fivehour afternoon trips targeting active inshore fish speciesPremium tackle and catch processing included with guided serviceSmall group capacity accommodates up to three guests maximum
Picture yourself casting into the quiet corners of New Jersey's backwaters as the afternoon sun starts its descent. That's exactly what you'll get with Hog Moon Fishing LLC's top-rated five-hour inshore adventure. Running from 3:00 PM through sunset, this trip takes you away from the crowded main channels into the productive shallows where the fish are feeding hard. We launch from Bobbie's Boats Bait & Tackle and spend our time working the structure-rich areas that hold everything from stripers to summer flounder. At $550 for up to three anglers, you're getting premium tackle, expert guidance, and all the local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a legendary one.
This isn't your typical charter boat grind. We're talking about getting into the skinny water where the big boats can't go, targeting fish that haven't seen a lure all day. The afternoon timing is perfect for New Jersey's backwaters - the baitfish start moving as the day cools down, and that's when the action really picks up. You'll be working with quality spinning gear, throwing topwater plugs that'll make your heart skip when a striper explodes on them. The beauty of these backwater spots is the variety - one cast you might be working a grass flat for weakfish, the next you're bouncing a jig along a channel edge for fluke. Captain provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you need, plus he'll clean your catch so you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat. Just make sure you've got that saltwater license in your pocket.
We fish smart in these backwaters, using two main approaches that consistently produce. Topwater plugs are the star of the show here - nothing beats the visual excitement of watching a bass crush a surface lure in three feet of water. We'll work walking baits along grass lines, poppers over structure, and prop baits in the current seams where fish ambush baitfish. When the topwater bite slows, we switch to jig heads with soft plastics, bouncing them along the bottom structure or swimming them through the water column. The key is reading the conditions - wind direction, tide phase, and water clarity all factor into our approach. These backwater areas have channels, flats, and drop-offs that each require different presentations. You'll learn to feel the bottom structure through your rod tip and understand why certain spots hold fish while others look good but stay empty.
Spotted Weakfish are making a serious comeback in these New Jersey backwaters, and they're absolute blast on light tackle. These fish love the grass flats and channel edges, especially during the evening hours when they move shallow to feed. They hit topwater plugs with surprising aggression for their size, and their distinctive spotted pattern makes them easy to identify. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the best action happening during moving tides. What makes weakfish special is their soft mouth - you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them, making every fight a test of your angling skills.
Bluefish are the workhorses of the backwater scene, showing up in schools that can turn a slow day into non-stop action. These aggressive predators will hit just about anything you throw at them, but they really shine on topwater plugs and fast-retrieved jigs. Summer and early fall are prime time, when they push baitfish into the shallows and create feeding frenzies that you can see from a distance. Blues fight hard and dirty, making long runs and trying to throw the hook with head shakes that'll test your drag system. Just watch those teeth when you're landing them.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are the table fare champions of the backwaters. These flatfish lay along channel edges and structure, waiting to ambush anything that swims by. The technique for fluke is all about that bottom-bouncing presentation with jig heads and soft plastics - you need to feel every bump and twitch. They're masters of camouflage, so you'll often not realize you've got one on until you feel that distinctive head shake. The regulations change yearly, so we always check the size and bag limits, but a keeper fluke makes for some of the best eating you'll find in saltwater.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of New Jersey inshore fishing, and the backwaters hold some real quality fish. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around docks, bridge pilings, and channel edges where they can ambush prey. They're most active during low-light periods, which makes this afternoon-into-evening trip timing perfect. Stripers hit topwater plugs with explosive strikes that'll get your adrenaline pumping, and they fight with the kind of power that reminds you why they're considered the premier gamefish of the Atlantic Coast. The slot regulations protect the breeding stock, so we practice selective harvest and proper catch-and-release techniques.
The afternoon bite in New Jersey's backwaters is something every angler should experience at least once. You're getting five solid hours of fishing in some of the most productive and least pressured water on the coast, with all the gear and expertise included in the deal. The June through September season offers consistent action, but the prime dates fill up fast - especially weekends and holiday periods. At $550 for three anglers, you're looking at under $200 per person for a world-class inshore experience that includes everything except your fishing license. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new water or someone newer to the sport who wants to learn from a local expert, this trip delivers the kind of fishing memories that'll have you planning your return before you even get back to the dock.
Hit the backwaters aboard this rigged-out 21-foot SE Parker Center Console, built for serious shallow-water action. The freshly installed 2024 Yamaha 200HP four-stroke gets you to the fish fast, cruising at 40 knots so you spend more time casting and less time running. When you reach those skinny flats where the big ones hide, the trolling motor keeps you positioned perfectly while the side-scan tech reveals what's lurking below. This boat handles technical casting situations like a dream – whether you're working topwater plugs around structure or bouncing jigs through the grass. With room for three anglers, there's plenty of space to work without tangling lines, plus all the features you need to make the most of New Jersey's productive backwater fishery.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are the pit bulls of our Jersey waters - aggressive, hard-fighting, and always hungry. These blue-green bruisers typically run 3-15 pounds, though we see bigger ones during peak season. They roam the backwater channels and inlet mouths in schools, often creating feeding frenzies that churn the water white. June through September is prime time when they're actively hunting baitfish in shallow water. What guests love most is their vicious strike on topwater plugs - no gentle taps here, just explosive hits that'll wake you up. They're also excellent eating when fresh, with firm, flaky meat. Fair warning though: watch your fingers when unhooking them because those razor-sharp teeth mean business. My advice: use a wire leader and keep that drag loose on the initial run.
Cynoscion NebulosusThese speckled beauties are one of the most reliable fish in our Jersey backwaters. Most run 12-16 inches, though you'll occasionally hook into something pushing 3 feet. They love shallow grass beds and sandy bottoms, usually hanging in 2-10 feet of water. Summer months are prime time when they move into the estuaries to feed and spawn. What makes them special is their soft strike - they're called "weakfish" because their mouths are delicate, so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them in. They're ambush hunters that'll crush topwater plugs and jigs, plus they taste fantastic on the table. My tip: when you feel that soft tap, don't set the hook hard. Just lift the rod smoothly and let the fish hook itself.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of our Jersey backwaters - powerful, smart, and built for battle. These silver-sided fighters typically run 20-35 inches in our area, with those distinctive black stripes making them unmistakable. They love structure like bridge pilings, creek mouths, and rocky shorelines where they ambush baitfish. Early morning and evening are prime time, especially during moving tides. What gets anglers hooked is their strong initial run and stubborn fight - they'll use every trick to throw your hook. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat. These fish are structure-oriented and cruise the shallows following schools of bunker and spearing. My go-to tip: watch for birds working the surface - that's usually stripers pushing bait up from below.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise in our backwaters - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms where they ambush prey. Most keepers run 15-20 inches, but the big "doormat" fluke can push 5-6 pounds and really test your tackle. They hang around structure changes, channel edges, and grass bed drop-offs in 8-25 feet of water. Peak season runs June through early fall when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes them special is their sneaky bite - they often just pick up your bait and swim off slowly before you realize you're hooked up. Once they feel pressure though, that broad body creates serious resistance. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean. My trick: when fluke fishing, let them take the bait and swim for a few seconds before setting the hook.
Barnegat Bay