Cape May 14 Hour Offshore Canyons Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
14hour deepsea charter targeting tuna and mahi mahiEarly 2:30 AM departure reaches distant canyon fishing groundsAll tackle, bait, and licenses included for six guests
If you're serious about offshore fishing and ready to test your skills in some of the most productive waters on the East Coast, this 14-hour canyon adventure out of Cape May is exactly what you've been looking for. We're talking about a real offshore experience here — not your typical half-day trip close to shore. This is the kind of fishing that separates the weekend warriors from the dedicated anglers who live for the chance to hook into world-class pelagic species in deep blue water.
Your day starts early at 2:30 AM, which might sound brutal, but trust me, there's a method to this madness. That early departure gets us to the canyon edges right as the sun comes up — prime feeding time for the big fish we're after. The boat heads out into the deep offshore waters where the continental shelf drops away into the submarine canyons that make this area legendary among serious anglers. We're equipped to handle up to six guests comfortably, so you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be elbow-to-elbow with other anglers when the action heats up. All your gear is provided — rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license — so you can focus entirely on what matters: putting fish in the boat. The extended duration means we can hit multiple spots and really work the water, adjusting our strategy based on what we're seeing and where the fish are showing up.
Out in canyon country, we fish smart and adapt to conditions. Trolling is often our bread and butter, pulling spreads of lures and ballyhoo to cover water and locate active schools. When we mark fish or find structure, we'll switch gears to chunking — cutting up bait fish and creating a slick that draws tuna and other pelagics right to the boat. Jigging comes into play when fish are holding deep or relating to bottom structure, and we've got heavy tackle ready for deep-dropping when conditions call for it. The beauty of a 14-hour trip is that we have time to really work each technique and find what's producing. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, reading the currents, water temperature breaks, and bait schools that concentrate the fish we're targeting. When you hook up, you'll be fighting fish on proper offshore gear — no light tackle struggles here when there's a potential trophy on the line.
The species you'll encounter out here represent some of the most sought-after gamefish in the Atlantic. Yellowfin tuna are the workhorses of the canyon fishery, showing up consistently from late spring through fall. These fish average 30-80 pounds but can push well over 100, and they fight like freight trains once you get them away from the boat. Their silver sides and distinctive yellow fins make them unmistakable, and the sashimi-quality meat makes them a favorite among anglers who appreciate great table fare. Bluefin tuna are the holy grail — massive, powerful fish that can exceed 200 pounds and will test every bit of your tackle and stamina. The bluefin bite has been exceptional in recent years, with fish showing up from late fall through early spring in numbers we haven't seen in decades.
Mahi mahi bring color and acrobatics to the mix, with their brilliant gold and green sides and tendency to jump repeatedly when hooked. They travel in schools, so finding one often means finding many, and they're aggressive feeders that will hit both trolled baits and jigs. White marlin add the billfish element to canyon fishing — smaller than their blue marlin cousins but equally spectacular fighters that will jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that'll have you grinning for weeks. Swordfish represent the ultimate challenge, typically targeted during daytime deep-dropping sessions using specialized techniques and heavy tackle. These prehistoric-looking fighters are bucket-list fish for serious anglers, with their distinctive bills and incredible strength making them unforgettable opponents.
This isn't your average fishing trip — it's a legitimate offshore adventure that delivers the kind of fishing experiences you'll be talking about for years. The 14-hour format gives us the time we need to reach the best water, work multiple areas, and adapt to changing conditions throughout the day. With all gear provided and a captain who knows these canyon waters like his backyard, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The six-person capacity keeps things manageable and ensures everyone gets their shots at the fish without feeling crowded. Whether you're an experienced offshore angler looking to add to your list of species or someone ready to step up from inshore fishing to the big leagues, this trip delivers the goods. Book your spot now and get ready to experience Cape May canyon fishing at its finest.
This center console fishing boat is built to handle Cape May's offshore canyon waters with confidence. Designed for serious anglers, she accommodates up to six guests with an open layout that keeps everyone in the action during those long 14-hour runs to the deep water. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over productive spots without spooking the fish, while the GPS and radar combo ensures you'll find those canyon edges even in pre-dawn darkness or changing weather. The fish finder helps locate tuna, mahi, and other pelagics lurking in the depths. Clean and comfortable with quality safety gear, this boat handles both the calm bay waters during departure and the bigger ocean swells you'll encounter heading offshore. Whether you're trolling the canyon walls or chunking over structure, the spacious deck gives everyone room to work their lines without getting tangled up with fellow anglers.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the apex of our canyon fishing - giants that average 200-550 pounds and can top 1,000 in these waters. We find them around temperature breaks and bait concentrations from late fall through early spring when they're migrating through. These warm-blooded fish can handle our cooler waters and dive to 3,000+ feet when hooked. The fight is legendary - imagine hooking into a freight train that can also jump. The meat quality is unmatched too, especially for sushi-grade fish. They're federally managed, so permits and reporting are required. Best technique here is chunking with fresh herring or mackerel around dawn and dusk when they feed most actively. Pro tip: when you hook one, tighten your drag gradually - too much pressure too fast and they'll sound deep and stay there for hours.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are some of the most colorful fish you'll see out here. They typically run 15-29 pounds, though we've seen them hit 50+ in good years. Mahi love floating debris and weedlines in the upper water column, usually in that blue water where the continental shelf drops off. Summer through early fall is prime time when water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes them special? They put on a light show when hooked - flashing gold, green, and blue as they jump and run. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that firm, sweet meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and look for more - they usually travel in schools, so where there's one, there's often several more waiting.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate canyon challenge - massive predators averaging 400 pounds that live in 1,000+ feet of water during the day. We target them with deep-drop techniques using heavy sinkers and lights to attract them up from the depths. Peak season is late summer into fall when they're feeding heavily. What makes swordfish special is their size and the technical fishing involved - it's deep-water chess, not just casting and hoping. The meat is outstanding too, firm steaks that grill beautifully. They're primarily night feeders, coming up to around 300 feet after dark to hunt squid and baitfish. Key tip: patience is everything with swords. Once you get your bait down in the zone, give it time to work - sometimes it takes an hour or more before you get that first tap on the rod tip.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite marlin are the holy grail of our canyon fishing - apex predators that can hit 180 pounds and stretch over 9 feet. These billfish cruise the deep blue water around underwater structure, pinnacles, and temperature breaks where baitfish concentrate. July through September is peak season when water temps are right and bait is thick. What sets them apart is the hunt - they'll come up behind your spread, light up electric blue, and absolutely demolish a ballyhoo or rigged squid. The fight is something else too - aerial displays and long, powerful runs that'll have your arms burning. When you hook one, resist the urge to reel immediately. Let them take line and get the bait down good before setting the hook. These fish have earned their reputation as one of the smartest billfish around.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of our canyon trips - streamlined torpedoes that average 60 pounds but can push 200+ when conditions align. We find them in the top 300 feet of water around temperature breaks and current edges, especially where baitfish stack up. Peak season runs May through October when warm water pushes north. These fish are pure muscle - they'll make blistering 200-yard runs that'll test your endurance and our drag system. The meat is top-shelf too, perfect for the grill or sushi-grade if handled right. They're also great learner fish for big game techniques. My go-to trick: when marking fish deep but they won't bite the spread, pull in the trolling gear and drop a butterfly jig - sometimes that vertical presentation is what triggers them.
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