Private Offshore Canyon Fishing | 16 Hour Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
16-hour offshore charter targets multiple tuna species in famous canyonsProfessional crew guides tile fishing and Mahi Mahi pot hoppingDay and night swordfishing options available for specialized anglers
Picture this: you're 16 hours into the best fishing day of your life, hauling in trophy tuna from some of the most productive waters off the New Jersey coast. Our private offshore canyon charters take you and up to five buddies to the legendary Hudson, Toms, Spencer, and Berkley canyons where the big fish live. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a serious offshore adventure that gives you the time and space to really get into the fish. Whether you're chasing bluefin tuna on the troll or dropping tiles in 800 feet of water, this charter puts you right where the action happens.
When you book this 16-hour private charter, you're getting the full canyon experience. We'll hit multiple spots depending on what's biting – maybe start with some tile fishing at dawn, move to trolling the canyon edges for tuna during the day, then finish with some swordfish action as the sun goes down. The beauty of having 16 hours is we can adapt to the conditions and follow the fish. Some days that means spending extra time on a hot bluefin bite, other days we might focus on finding those beautiful mahi mahi around floating debris. With just your group of six anglers max, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention. No crowded boat, no rushing – just quality fishing time on some of the East Coast's most productive grounds.
Canyon fishing is all about understanding the structure and water column. We'll be running everything from high-speed trolling with spreader bars and daisy chains for tuna, to slow-pitch jigging when we mark fish on the bottom. For tile fishing, we're talking about precision drops with heavy jigs and fresh bait down to 300-800 feet. The canyons create upwelling that brings baitfish to the surface, which draws in everything from mahi mahi to massive bluefin. We carry a full spread of tackle – from 50-pound spinning gear for the mahi to 130-pound stand-up tackle for the big bluefin. Swordfish trips get really interesting with the specialized circle hooks, squid baits, and glow sticks. The key is having the right setup for each species and being ready to switch gears fast when the bite changes.
Mahi Mahi are the perfect canyon fish – they're gorgeous, fight hard, and taste amazing on the dinner table. These guys love floating debris and temperature breaks, often traveling in schools. Peak season runs May through October, with the bigger bulls showing up mid-summer. What makes mahi special is their aerial show – once hooked, they'll jump and run like nothing else out there. Plus, where you find one, you usually find more.
Yellowfin Tuna are the workhorses of the canyon. These fish average 30-80 pounds and fight with that classic tuna power – long, screaming runs that'll test your arms and your drag. They're most active during warmer months and love trolled spreader bars. What anglers love about yellowfin is their consistency – when you find them, you can usually stay on them for multiple hookups.
Bluefin Tuna are the holy grail of canyon fishing. These giants can push 200-400 pounds and will absolutely smoke your reel on the first run. They're around year-round but peak in fall and winter months. Landing a big bluefin is a team effort and an achievement most anglers never forget. The fight can last over an hour, and the adrenaline rush is off the charts.
Bigeye Tuna are the night shift workers, often caught during evening or early morning hours. They're deep-water fish that come up to feed, typically running 50-150 pounds. What makes bigeye special is their incredible table quality – sashimi-grade meat that rivals any fish in the ocean. They're trickier to target but incredibly rewarding when you connect.
Swordfish are the ultimate challenge – these prehistoric-looking fighters with their distinctive bills are targeted using specialized techniques. We fish for them both day and night using heavy tackle and deep drops. A good swordfish runs 50-200 pounds and fights with a unique combination of power and stubbornness. Landing one is considered a major accomplishment among serious offshore anglers.
This 16-hour private canyon charter gives your group the chance to experience world-class offshore fishing without the crowds or time constraints of shorter trips. You'll fish multiple species using different techniques, explore several canyon systems, and have the flexibility to stay on the fish when they're biting. The New Jersey canyons are some of the most productive offshore waters on the East Coast, and with 16 hours to work with, we can really show you what they're all about. Whether you're looking to check a bluefin tuna off your bucket list, fill the cooler with mahi and yellowfin, or try your hand at swordfish, this charter delivers the complete canyon experience. Book your dates early – the best fishing windows fill up fast, especially during peak tuna season.
Step aboard this 32-foot Tidewater Custom center console, your floating command center for serious canyon fishing off New Jersey's coast. Built in 2018 with twin Yamaha engines pushing 700 horses, this boat cuts through ocean swells at 60 knots to get you to the productive waters of Hudson, Toms, Spencer, and Berkley canyons fast. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishability while the captain navigates using top-shelf electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finders to locate those temperature breaks where tuna stack up. Keep your catch fresh in the spacious icebox and your spirits up with the onboard sound system during those long runs. VHF radio keeps you connected to the fishing fleet for real-time intel on where the bite is happening. With comfortable seating for up to 6 anglers and even a berth for catnaps between tide changes, this fishing machine is rigged for extended offshore sessions targeting everything from bluefin tuna to mahi mahi.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye Tuna are the deep-water specialists of the tuna family, using those oversized eyes to hunt in darker water where other tunas can't compete effectively. These fish average 60-150 pounds but can push well over 400, making them serious gamefish. They prefer depths around 250 meters and are most active during dawn and dusk when they move up to feed. Summer months bring the best action as they follow baitfish up from the depths. What sets them apart is their incredibly rich, fatty meat that rivals bluefin for sushi quality. The fight is typically a deep, powerful battle that tests your tackle. Here's the key: fish darker lures in low light conditions since their sensitive eyes work better then.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin Tuna are the holy grail of offshore fishing - massive, powerful fish that can reach 1400 pounds and fight like nothing else in the ocean. Most of our fish run 200-600 pounds and they're found from the surface down to 3000 feet. These are warm-blooded fish that migrate through our waters from spring through fall, with peak action during the cooler months. What makes bluefin special is everything - the brutal fight with long runs and deep dives, plus meat that's worth its weight in gold for sushi. They require heavy tackle and serious skill to land. The secret is finding the schools early morning or evening when they're feeding aggressively. Use live herring or mackerel and be prepared for the fight of your life.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are some of the most colorful fish you'll encounter out here, with brilliant blues and golds that put on a real light show when they're brought to the boat. These fast-growing fish typically run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen them push 50. They love hanging around floating debris and weed lines in the warm months from May through October. What makes them special is that explosive surface strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and run like crazy. The meat is firm, white, and fantastic eating too. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep working the same area since they usually travel in schools. Look for birds diving on bait and you'll often find mahi underneath.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep-water gladiators, with that signature flat bill and the ability to heat their eyes and brain for better vision in the depths. These giants average 200-400 pounds and live around 1500 feet deep, making them a true test of skill and patience. Night fishing is prime time since they move up to feed, though daytime deep-dropping works too. What draws people to swordfish is the challenge - it's technical fishing that requires heavy tackle and precise technique. The meat is firm, meaty, and perfect for grilling. My go-to setup is squid on a 24-32 ounce weight with lights at 45-50 feet to draw them up. Be ready for a long fight when you hook one - these fish don't give up easy.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin Tuna are built like torpedoes and fight like freight trains, with that distinctive bright yellow coloring on their fins that gives them their name. Most fish we catch run 40-100 pounds, though they can reach 400. These warm-water fish stay in the upper 300 feet and are active year-round, with peak action from late spring through early fall. They're prized for both their powerful runs that can hit 50 mph and their excellent table fare - second only to bluefin for sushi. When nothing else is biting on the troll, try switching to vertical jigging to pull them up from deeper water. The meat grills beautifully and has that firm texture that makes it perfect for steaks. Watch for bird activity on the surface.
Point Pleasant