New Jersey Deep Sea Fishing | Overnight Canyon Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
24hour offshore canyon fishing adventure from Brigantine, NJTarget tuna, mahi, swordfish, marlin with provided gearSmall group experience limited to 4 guests maximum
Ready to test your skills against some of the Atlantic's most prized gamefish? This 24-hour canyon fishing adventure out of Brigantine puts you right in the heart of New Jersey's best offshore action. We're talking serious fishing here – the kind where you'll be fighting fish that can weigh more than you do. Captain Jessie James and crew know these canyons like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on the fish that make legends out of anglers. With just 4 spots available, you're guaranteed personalized attention and prime fishing real estate at the rail.
This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're heading deep into the submarine canyons where the continental shelf drops off into the abyss. The ride out takes a few hours, but that's where the magic happens. As we steam toward the fishing grounds, you'll watch the water color change from coastal green to that deep blue that gets every angler's heart pumping. The crew will be rigging tackle, checking the spread, and keeping an eye on the fish finder for signs of life. Once we hit the canyons, it's game time. We'll be trolling for pelagics during the day, then switching gears as the sun sets for some serious bottom fishing and even swordfish action after dark. The overnight format means we can hit multiple spots and target different species as conditions change throughout the 24-hour window.
During daylight hours, we run a full trolling spread with a mix of lures and ballyhoo. The crew sets everything from small cedar plugs for mahi to large spreader bars that drive big bluefin crazy. We're constantly adjusting the spread based on what we're seeing on the sounder and what's working that day. When it's time to hit the bottom, we switch to electric reels loaded with heavy tackle – we're talking 80-pound class gear that can handle the big tiles and grouper hiding in the canyon structure. Night fishing brings a whole different game. The swordfish rigs go down with lightsticks and fresh squid, dropped into 1,500+ feet of water. All the gear is top-shelf stuff, maintained by the crew and ready to handle whatever the deep throws at you. Don't worry if you've never used electric reels before – the crew will walk you through everything.
Yellowcheek Wrasse might sound like a small reef fish, but in the deep canyons, these guys grow to impressive sizes and put up a solid fight on bottom tackle. They're typically found around the rocky canyon edges in 200-400 feet of water, and they love squid and cut bait. What makes them exciting is their unpredictability – you never know when one will grab your bait while you're targeting something else entirely. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Mahi Mahi are the acrobats of the offshore world, and canyon fishing puts you right in their preferred habitat. These bright gold and green beauties love the temperature breaks and current edges found around the canyon walls. Peak season runs from June through October, with the biggest bulls showing up in late summer. When you hook a mahi, get ready for a show – they'll jump, run, and do everything they can to throw the hook. The crew knows to look for floating debris, weed lines, and bird activity, as mahi are often found schooled up in these areas. A 20-pound mahi is a good fish, but 40+ pounders aren't uncommon in these waters.
Swordfish are the holy grail of overnight canyon trips. These deep-water gladiators come up to feed at night, and the canyons off New Jersey are prime territory. We're talking about fish that can exceed 200 pounds and fight like nothing else in the ocean. The technique is all about patience – dropping fresh squid down 1,200-1,500 feet and waiting for that telltale thump on the line. When a sword eats, you'll know it. The initial run can strip hundreds of yards of line in seconds, and the battle that follows can last hours. Even a smaller sword in the 50-100 pound range will test your endurance and give you bragging rights for life.
Bluefin Tuna are the apex predators of the northeast canyon fishery. These torpedo-shaped powerhouses can reach 200+ pounds and are built for speed and strength. Summer months bring the giants into our waters, following bait schools along the continental shelf. When a bluefin hits a trolling lure, it's like hooking into a freight train. The initial run is devastating, often taking 300-400 yards of line before you can even think about fighting back. What makes bluefin special is their incredible stamina – they'll sound deep, then rocket back to the surface in blistering runs that test both angler and tackle. The bigger fish are catch-and-release only, but landing one is a lifetime achievement for any serious angler.
Canyon trips like this don't come around every day, and with only 4 anglers per trip, spots fill up fast. This is serious offshore fishing at its finest – the kind of adventure that separates weekend warriors from dedicated anglers. Captain Jessie James runs a tight ship with top-notch gear and the local knowledge that comes from years of working these waters. Whether you're chasing your first sword, looking to tangle with a giant bluefin, or just want to experience what real canyon fishing is all about, this 24-hour adventure delivers. The memories you'll make and the stories you'll tell are worth their weight in gold. Don't wait – these prime dates book up months in advance, especially during peak season.
Our 24-hour canyon fishing machine is built for serious anglers ready to chase big game in deep water. This motorboat cuts through ocean swells with confidence, equipped with GPS navigation and radar to find those productive canyon edges where tuna and mahi hang out. The flybridge gives our captain a commanding view while scanning for birds and bait, while you'll appreciate the onboard kitchen for hot meals between bites and comfortable sleeping quarters during the overnight run. With a private head and room for just 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work big fish without crowding. Our experienced crew knows these Jersey waters and will put you on swordfish, marlin, and tile fish when conditions are right. All fishing gear is included, so just bring your appetite for adventure and get ready to battle some serious offshore gamefish in the productive canyons off Brigantine.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the kings of our canyon fishing - these torpedo-shaped giants average 200-400 pounds, with some pushing 600+ pounds. They're built for speed, hitting 40+ mph and diving to 1,000+ feet when hooked. We find them around temperature breaks, current edges, and bait schools from late spring through early winter. The fight is pure power - long runs, deep dives, and a battle that can last hours. The meat is world-class, especially the fatty belly sections prized for sashimi. They're federally regulated, so permits are required. We troll with herring, mackerel, or cedar plugs around structure and bait schools. Key tip: when marking fish on the sounder, try chunking with fresh mackerel or herring - get them feeding competitively and you'll have multiple hookups.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of our most popular targets - they average 15-29 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds in good years. These surface dwellers love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges where we find them around our canyon trips. Their golden sides and electric blue backs make them stunning fish, plus they put up a great fight with plenty of jumps and runs. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and mild-flavored, perfect for the dinner table. Best fishing is late spring through fall when water temps hit 70+ degrees. We troll ballyhoo or skip live bait near floating objects and current breaks. Here's a tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving - mahi often travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. Work the area quickly to maximize your catch.
Xiphias GladiusSwords are the ultimate canyon challenge - these giants average 200-400 pounds and can exceed 800. We target them in 1,000+ feet of water using deep-drop techniques, both day and night fishing. They're primarily nocturnal feeders, coming up to 300 feet at night but staying deep during daylight hours. The fight is legendary - powerful runs and bulldogging battles that test heavy tackle. The meat is outstanding, firm and meaty like a steak. Peak season runs May through October when they're most active in our waters. We use squid or chunks on 80-120 pound gear with heavy sinkers and lights to attract them. Pro tip: patience is key with swords - let them eat the bait completely before setting the hook. They'll often mouth it for several minutes before fully committing.
Halichoeres CyanocephalusThese small, colorful wrasse top out around 11 inches and aren't really a target species on our canyon trips. You'll find them in 65-300 feet around rocky bottoms and reefs, but they're more of a pier fish back closer to shore. The juveniles are actually cleaners that pick parasites off larger fish, while adults graze on worms and small crustaceans. They've got vibrant blue-green bodies with yellow markings that make them popular for aquariums. If you do hook one while bottom fishing, use light tackle with size 4-6 hooks and fresh mussels or marine worms - avoid shrimp as they'll just nibble it. These are better for catch and release since they're small, but kids love catching them when we're fishing structure.
Atlantic City