5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Striped Bass & Bluefish Charter
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Striped Bass and Bluefish in productive Jamaica Bay watersMultiple fishing techniques including trolling, jigging, casting and driftingHalfday charter accommodates up to 6 anglers of all levels
Jamaica Bay holds some of the most consistent Striped Bass and Bluefish action you'll find anywhere near New York City. Captain Jared and the J Rod3 Charters crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish using whatever technique is working that day. This isn't your typical party boat scene – we keep groups small at just six anglers max, so you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work your rod. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to bend some rods or a seasoned angler wanting to dial in new techniques, this 3/4 day trip delivers the goods.
We launch from Jamaica Bay and head straight to the productive waters where Stripers and Blues patrol year-round. Captain Jared reads the water conditions, checks the tide charts, and adjusts the game plan based on what the fish are doing that particular day. Some mornings we'll start trolling umbrella rigs to cover water and locate schools, then switch to live bait or jigging once we mark fish on the sounder. Other days, we might find birds working baitfish on the surface and fire up the casting rods for some heart-pounding topwater action. The beauty of fishing with an experienced local captain is flexibility – we go where the fish are and use whatever method puts the most fish in the boat. You don't need to bring any tackle since we provide everything from rods and reels to terminal gear, but feel free to bring your favorite setup if you've got one.
J Rod3 Charters runs a variety of proven techniques depending on conditions and fish behavior. Trolling with bunker spoons, umbrella rigs, and tube-and-worm combos covers lots of water when we're searching for active schools. Once we locate fish, we'll often switch to live bait – nothing beats a fresh bunker or herring when Stripers are feeding deep. Jigging with bucktails or soft plastics works great around structure and drop-offs where bass like to ambush prey. When bluefish are chopping up bait schools on the surface, we break out the casting gear and throw everything from poppers to metal jigs. Captain Jared teaches proper technique as we fish, so you'll leave knowing more than when you arrived. The boat carries quality Penn and Shimano gear sized right for these species, plus a full selection of lures and terminal tackle. We also run a fish finder and GPS to stay on productive spots and track moving schools throughout the trip.
"An unforgettable day of fishing with J Rod3 Charters and Captain Jared! Jared's knowledge of the local waters and his commitment to customer satisfaction ensured a memorable trip for everyone on board. Highly recommended!" - Jao
"Captain Jared and J Rod3 Charters are the best in the business! Jared's knowledge of the waters and his commitment to finding fish ensured a successful and enjoyable trip. Highly recommended for an amazing day on the water!" - Donna
"Highly recommend J Rod3 Charters with Captain Jared Weigel! Jared's knowledge of the area and his dedication to customer satisfaction ensure an exceptional fishing experience. We had a blast and can't wait to go out with them again!" - Bobby
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Northeast saltwater fishing, and Jamaica Bay consistently produces quality fish from schoolies up to keeper-sized bass in the 28-inch-plus range. These fish are aggressive feeders that hit everything from live bunker to soft plastic swimbaits. Stripers school up heavily during spring and fall migrations, but resident fish provide steady action through summer months. What makes them so exciting is their fighting ability – they make blistering runs and use their broad tails to pull drag even in shallow water. The best times are typically early morning, late afternoon, and around moving tides when they feed most actively. Bass have excellent eyesight and can be line-shy in clear water, so we match our tackle to conditions and fish as light as possible while still controlling these powerful fish.
Bluefish bring non-stop action and razor-sharp teeth to every trip. These aggressive predators travel in schools and absolutely demolish baitfish when they're feeding. Blues in the 3-8 pound range are common in Jamaica Bay, with larger choppers showing up during peak season. They hit lures with reckless abandon and fight dirty with powerful head shakes and acrobatic jumps. What anglers love about bluefish is their willingness to bite – when you find a school, you can often catch them on every cast until they move on. They're particularly exciting on topwater lures since they'll explode on surface plugs in spectacular fashion. Blues bite best during moving water and low-light conditions, though feeding schools will hit lures any time of day. We always carry wire leaders when targeting them since their teeth can slice through mono and fluorocarbon like butter.
Jamaica Bay fishing stays productive through multiple seasons, and Captain Jared's local knowledge gives you the best shot at consistent action. The small group size means personalized instruction and plenty of chances to get your lure in the water. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, introduce someone to saltwater fishing, or just get away from the city for a few hours, this charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and pick a day that works for your schedule. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during prime spring and fall seasons when both species are most active.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are pure aggression with fins—voracious predators that hit hard and fight harder. These blue-green torpedoes average 3-10 pounds in Jamaica Bay waters, though bigger ones show up. You'll find them in schools chasing baitfish through open water and along sandy bottom areas. Summer into early fall is prime time when they're actively feeding. What draws anglers to blues? They're willing biters that'll take almost anything you throw at them, and when hooked, they make blistering runs with that forked tail working overtime. They're also excellent table fare when prepared fresh. Pro tip: when you see diving birds and churning water, get there fast—that's a bluefish blitz happening, and the action can be non-stop for as long as the school sticks around.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Jamaica Bay fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds here, though we see bigger ones. They love structure—rocky areas, bridge pilings, drop-offs—and feed heavily during moving tides. Spring through fall offers the best action as they follow baitfish migrations. What makes stripers special? They fight hard, pulling drag and making long runs that test your skills. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: when fishing around the Marine Parkway Bridge, cast your bait uptide and let it drift naturally past the pilings. The current does the work while you stay ready for that telltale thump.
5.0 out of 5.0An unforgettable day of fishing with J Rod3 Charters and Captain Jared! Jared's knowledge of the local waters and his commitment t...
Captain Jared and J Rod3 Charters are the best in the business! Jared's knowledge of the waters and his commitment to finding fish...
Highly recommend J Rod3 Charters with Captain Jared Weigel! Jared's knowledge of the area and his dedication to customer satisfact...
New York City