16-Hour Offshore Fishing Charter Atlantic City
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
16-hour offshore charter targeting bluefin, yellowfin tuna, and marlinProfessional first mate assistance included throughout Atlantic Ocean tripMaximum 6 guests with complimentary t-shirt for new clients
When you're talking serious offshore fishing in Atlantic City, this 16-hour charter with Jessie James Charters is where the real action happens. We're not messing around with half-day trips here – this is a full commitment to chasing the big pelagic species that call the deep Atlantic home. You'll be targeting bluefin and yellowfin tuna, white marlin, swordfish, and whatever else decides to crash the party out in the blue water. With only 6 anglers max, you're getting plenty of room to fight fish without bumping elbows, plus our experienced first mate will be right there helping you land the fish of a lifetime.
This isn't your typical day trip – we're talking about a serious offshore adventure that starts before dawn and keeps you out there until the fish stop biting. The Atlantic waters off New Jersey are some of the most productive on the East Coast, and we know exactly where to find the hot spots. You'll be running anywhere from 20 to 80+ miles offshore, depending on where the fish are holding and what the conditions look like. The first mate handles all the rigging, baiting, and gaffing, so you can focus on what you came for – fighting fish. Just remember to tip your mate around 20% – these guys work their tails off to put you on fish and deserve every penny. New clients get a free Jessie James Charters t-shirt to remember the trip, which is a nice touch after spending the day getting your arms stretched by tuna.
We run a serious spread of high-speed trolling lures and fresh ballyhoo to cover water and find actively feeding fish. The boat's rigged with quality rods and reels that can handle everything from 20-pound yellowfins to 200-pound bluefin tuna. When we mark fish or find birds working, we'll switch up tactics – maybe throw some chunks for the big bluefin or set up a drift with live bait for the marlin. The key out here is staying flexible and reading the water. Some days the fish want lures screaming at 8 knots, other days they're finicky and you need to slow down with live bait or chunks. Our first mate knows these waters like the back of his hand and will adjust the spread based on what's working. Don't worry about bringing tackle – we've got everything covered from the heavy conventional reels for the big tuna down to the lighter spinning gear if we get into some mahi or smaller fish.
The yellowfin tuna out here are absolute bulldogs, typically running 30 to 80 pounds with the occasional cow over 100. These fish show up best during the warmer months from June through October, and when they're feeding, the action can be non-stop. They love to school up around temperature breaks and underwater structure, and once you hook one, get ready for a long, hard fight. Yellowfins are pure muscle and won't give up easy – that's why anglers keep coming back for more. The bluefin tuna are the real prize though, especially the giants that can push 300+ pounds. These fish are around year-round but peak in spring and fall when they're migrating through our waters. Landing a bluefin is like hooking into a freight train, and the meat is absolutely top-shelf for sushi.
White marlin are the acrobats of the offshore world, and the waters off Atlantic City see good numbers during summer and early fall. These fish average 50 to 70 pounds and put on an aerial show that'll have you whooping and hollering. They're suckers for a well-presented ballyhoo or circle hook rig, and watching one crash a bait on the surface never gets old. Swordfish are the night shift specialists – we'll target these during daylight hours by deep-dropping in 1,000+ feet of water. These prehistoric-looking fish can exceed 200 pounds and fight completely different from tuna or marlin, using their broad bill and powerful body to try and throw the hook. Grey tilefish might not be the prettiest fish in the ocean, but they're incredibly tasty and provide steady action when the pelagic bite slows down. They live in deep water around 300 to 800 feet and will readily take cut bait on the bottom.
Look, 16 hours on the water isn't for everyone, but if you're serious about offshore fishing and want to target some of the Atlantic's premier gamefish, this trip delivers. You're not just buying a fishing trip – you're investing in a full day of chasing pelagic species with a crew that knows how to find and catch fish. The 6-angler limit means you're not fighting for rod time, and having a skilled first mate makes all the difference when the big fish are biting. Whether you're looking to check yellowfin tuna off your bucket list, battle a giant bluefin, or jump your first marlin, the waters off Atlantic City consistently produce. Pack plenty of snacks and drinks since meals aren't included, bring your sunscreen and rain gear, and get ready for a day of fishing you'll be talking about for years. Book your spot now because these marathon offshore trips fill up fast, especially during prime season.
Our fully-equipped offshore fishing boat handles the deep Atlantic waters like a pro, taking up to 6 anglers far beyond the continental shelf where the big fish roam. With a comfortable flybridge for spotting tuna schools and marlin on the surface, you'll have prime real estate for the action. GPS and radar keep us locked onto productive fishing grounds even when conditions get rough. The onboard kitchen lets our crew prep fresh bait and keep snacks ready during those long 16-hour runs chasing bluefin and yellowfin tuna. A private head and sleeping quarters mean you can rest between battles with swordfish and mahi-mahi. This boat's built for serious offshore fishing - stable enough to fight monster fish, fast enough to chase down feeding frenzies, and comfortable enough to spend all day and night hunting the Atlantic's finest gamefish.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail of tuna fishing, averaging 550 pounds but capable of reaching 1,400 pounds and 12 feet. These warm-blooded giants migrate along our coast, feeding on mackerel, herring, and squid in both shallow and deep water. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're following bait schools. What sets them apart is their raw power - expect blistering runs and deep dives that'll test heavy tackle. The meat is legendary, especially for sashimi with that rich, buttery flavor. We troll live herring or chunk with mackerel, and they bite most aggressively during dawn and dusk. Pro tip: when trolling, use snap swivels so you can quickly change rigs when the school gets finicky. These fish require federal permits and strict reporting.
Caulolatilus MicropsGrey tilefish are our deep-water workhorses, averaging 5-8 pounds and 25 inches, living in muddy bottoms 250-800 feet down. They're called "poor man's lobster" for good reason - the meat is sweet, flaky, and tastes remarkably similar when cooked right. Winter months are prime time when they're most active and abundant. What guests love is the steady action since they're not bait-shy and often hit in multiples. We target them with deep-drop rigs using 16 oz to 5-pound weights depending on current, squid or cut bait works best. The key is feeling those subtle bites at depth - use braided line and keep boat speed at 2 knots for a steady drift. Tip: attach a light strobe above your bait to improve presentation in the dark depths where they live.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep-water challenge, averaging 400 pounds but capable of hitting 1,200+ pounds and 15 feet long. They live in the abyss around 1,500 feet during the day, coming up to 300 feet at night to feed. We target them year-round, but best action happens on dark nights when they're actively hunting squid and smaller fish. What makes them special is that flat sword-like bill and their ability to heat their eyes and brain for deep-water vision. The meat is firm, meaty, and perfect for grilling. We deep-drop with heavy tackle, using bright lights and squid baits. My go-to setup: 80-120 lb line with a 24-32 oz sinker depending on current. Key tip: use multiple lights at 45-50 feet to draw them up from the depths.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite marlin are the speed demons of our offshore waters, averaging 80-180 pounds with that signature bill and incredible jumping ability. They cruise deep blue water around canyons and temperature breaks, always on the move since they need constant motion to breathe. Peak season runs late spring through early fall when they're feeding heavily. Guests love them for the aerial show - nothing matches watching one leap and dive while hunting. These apex predators will test your skills, often striking and disappearing before you know it. We troll dead ballyhoo rigged on circle hooks, but here's the key: don't watch the bait, watch the area behind it. When they hit, let them run with it before setting the hook - patience pays off with these smart fish.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the bread and butter of our offshore trips, running 60-440 pounds with that classic torpedo shape and bright yellow fins. They cruise the upper water column in warm Atlantic waters, hitting speeds of 50 mph when hooked. Most guests love them because they fight hard and make some of the best sashimi you'll ever taste - think high-end restaurant quality. We target them year-round, but summer through fall is prime time when water temps are right. Best technique is trolling rigged ballyhoo or skirted lures, though nothing beats the rush when one crushes a surface plug. Pro tip: when you mark fish deep but they won't bite the spread, switch to vertical jigging - often triggers strikes from finicky schools.
Atlantic City