Fishing Trips New Jersey - Clams & Crabbing
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Eight-hour crabbing and clamming adventure with experienced crewTake home up to three bushels each of crabs and clamsAll equipment provided for groups of six guests maximum
If you're looking to fill your cooler with some of the Garden State's finest shellfish, this 8-hour clamming and crabbing adventure with Jerzey Buoyz Sport Fishing is exactly what you need. Forget the typical rod-and-reel routine – we're talking about a hands-on harvest that'll have you coming home with up to 3 bushels of crabs and 3 bushels of clams per group. This isn't your average day on the water; it's a proper Jersey shore tradition that connects you directly with the bounty beneath the waves. Pack your appetite for adventure (and maybe some Old Bay), because you're about to discover why locals have been working these waters for generations.
Your crew of up to 6 people will spend a full day working the productive waters off New Jersey's coast, where the Atlantic's nutrients create perfect conditions for shellfish. The Jerzey Buoyz team handles all the heavy lifting when it comes to gear – they've got the crab traps, rakes, tongs, and everything else you need to make this a successful harvest. You just need to bring your own food and drinks for the day, plus clothes you don't mind getting a little muddy. The action starts early and keeps going strong, with the boat moving between prime clamming flats and proven crabbing spots. Don't expect to sit around much – this is active fishing where everyone gets their hands dirty pulling traps, raking beds, and sorting your catch. The satisfaction of working for your dinner makes every bite taste better when you get home.
Clamming and crabbing require different approaches, and you'll get to experience both traditional methods during your trip. For clams, we're talking about working the sandy and muddy bottoms with long-handled rakes and tongs, feeling for the telltale resistance that means you've found a keeper. The technique is all about reading the bottom structure and knowing where these bivalves like to bury themselves. Crabbing involves checking baited traps that have been soaking in strategic spots – usually around structure, drop-offs, and areas with good current flow. You'll learn to identify male versus female crabs, measure for legal size, and handle these feisty crustaceans safely. The boat carries commercial-grade equipment including bushel baskets for sorting, measuring tools to ensure everything is legal size, and proper storage to keep your catch fresh. Water depth varies from shallow back-bay areas for clamming to deeper channel edges for the best crab action.
Blue crabs are the stars of New Jersey waters, and these aggressive fighters put up a good scrap even after they're in the trap. Adult males, called "jimmies," can span 8-9 inches and are the real prize – they're packed with sweet, white meat that's perfect for crab cakes or just cracking with a cold beer. These crabs are most active during warmer months when they move into shallower waters to feed and mate. What makes them so exciting to target is their feisty attitude – they'll grab onto bait and hold on, making trap checks an adventure every time. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the biggest specimens showing up in mid-summer when water temperatures hit their sweet spot. Female crabs carrying eggs (berried females) must be released, but legal males and non-berried females are fair game for your bushel.
Hard clams, locally known as quahogs, are the bread and butter of New Jersey's shellfish harvest. These tough-shelled bivalves bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms, filtering nutrients from the water column. Size determines their market name – littlenecks, topnecks, and cherrystones – with each size perfect for different preparations. What makes clamming so rewarding is the detective work involved in reading the bottom and feeling for their distinctive shell shape with your rake. New Jersey's clam beds are incredibly productive thanks to nutrient-rich waters and perfect salinity levels. These shellfish are available year-round, but summer months offer the most comfortable digging conditions and the best overall catch rates.
This top-rated clamming and crabbing experience fills up fast, especially during peak summer months when conditions are perfect and families are looking for authentic Jersey shore adventures. With space for only 6 guests per trip, you're getting a personalized experience that bigger charter boats simply can't match. The Jerzey Buoyz crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they're committed to putting you on the best spots for a successful harvest. Whether you're a seasoned shellfish hunter or trying it for the first time, this 8-hour adventure offers incredible value – you're not just buying a fishing trip, you're investing in a cooler full of fresh seafood that'll feed your crew for weeks. Don't wait until the last minute to secure your date, because once word gets out about a productive trip like this, the calendar fills up quickly.
Jump aboard this beautifully restored 26' Shamrock for your New Jersey crabbing and clamming adventure! This classic 1992 motorboat got a complete makeover in 2021 and runs like a dream with its powerful 370HP Mercury engine, cruising comfortably at speeds up to 32 knots to get you to the best crabbing spots fast. You'll have everything needed for a successful day on the water - GPS keeps you on course, fish finder helps locate the hottest areas, and radar ensures safe navigation even when visibility drops. The wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly through shallow waters without spooking your catch. Between crabbing runs, relax with the onboard multimedia system, grab a snack, or use the head when nature calls. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room for everyone to work their lines and haul in bushels of blue crabs and clams. The Jerzey Buoyz crew handles all the gear and bait - you just bring your appetite for adventure and cooler full of snacks. After 8 hours of productive fishing, you'll head home with up to 3 bushels each of crabs and clams to share with family and friends. This boat delivers the perfect platform for serious crabbers looking to fill their buckets along the Jersey coast.
Newark