New Jersey Deep Sea Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
1216 hour offshore trips targeting sharks and tuna speciesFish up to 60 miles offshore at Mud Hole and FingersSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests per charter
Captain Frank at Kettle Creek Outfitters knows these New Jersey waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to take you on a serious offshore fishing trip that'll have you talking for years. We're not messing around here – this is a 12-hour deep sea charter that'll push you up to 60 miles offshore, targeting some of the biggest, baddest fish that call these waters home. With room for just 4 anglers, you get the personal attention and prime fishing spots that make all the difference between a good day and an epic day on the water.
This isn't your typical half-day trip close to shore. Captain Frank runs a tight ship and knows exactly where to find the fish when they're biting. We'll be heading out to legendary spots like The Mud Hole and the Fingers – areas that have been producing trophy fish for decades. The boat leaves early, and we mean early, so you can maximize your time in the prime fishing zones. You'll spend the day working different depths and structures, from the surface down to the deep water columns where the big pelagics cruise. The captain reads the water, watches the electronics, and positions you over the most productive areas. Between the long runs to offshore grounds and the extended fishing time, you'll cover serious water and have multiple shots at different species throughout the day.
Captain Frank runs a mixed bag of techniques depending on what's biting and where we find the fish. We'll start with high-speed trolling using spreader bars, daisy chains, and single hookup rigs to cover water and locate schools of tuna and mahi. When we mark fish on the finder or see birds working, we'll switch to chunking and live bait to get them fired up. For the sharks, we'll drop heavy tackle with fresh chunks and whole baits down into the depths. The boat carries all the gear you need – from 50-pound class tackle for the tuna to 80-pound setups for the big sharks. Circle hooks are standard for conservation, and Captain Frank will walk you through proper fighting techniques to land these powerful fish without wearing yourself out. The key is reading the conditions and adapting – some days the fish want fast-moving lures, other days they're picky and only bite live bait presented just right.
Mahi mahi are absolute crowd pleasers and one of the most reliable targets in these waters from late spring through early fall. These fish are pure excitement – they hit hard, jump like crazy, and put on a show that'll get everyone on the boat fired up. Most mahi here run 10 to 30 pounds, with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 40-plus. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. The bright colors and acrobatic fights make them a favorite for first-time offshore anglers.
Yellowfin tuna are the workhorses of the offshore fleet, and New Jersey waters produce some quality fish. These guys are pure muscle and endurance – they'll test your tackle and your arms with long, powerful runs. The yellowfins here typically range from 30 to 100 pounds, with the occasional giant showing up to humble even experienced anglers. Summer and early fall are prime time, when the water temperatures are right and the bait is thick. There's nothing quite like the initial run of a big yellowfin to remind you why offshore fishing is addictive.
White marlin are the glamour species that every offshore angler dreams about. These fish are pure elegance and power, known for their spectacular jumps and lightning-fast runs. New Jersey is actually one of the better white marlin fisheries on the East Coast, particularly from July through September. Most whites here run 50 to 80 pounds, and they're notorious for their unpredictable behavior – they might eat the first bait they see or follow your spread for miles without committing. Landing one is a career highlight for most anglers.
Bluefin tuna are the heavyweights of the offshore world, and when they show up in New Jersey waters, word spreads fast through the fleet. These fish are absolute bruisers, capable of pulling drag for hours and testing every piece of equipment on the boat. The bluefins here range from school fish in the 30 to 60-pound class up to true giants over 200 pounds. They're highly regulated with strict quotas, so every shot counts. The power and stamina of a big bluefin is something every serious offshore angler needs to experience at least once.
Thresher sharks bring a different kind of excitement to the mix with their incredible tail whips and surprising aerial displays. These sharks are fighters through and through, using their oversized tails to stun baitfish and putting up battles that'll surprise anyone who thinks sharks just pull straight down. New Jersey threshers typically run 100 to 300 pounds, and they're most active during the warmer months when they follow the bait schools inshore. The first time you see a thresher launch itself completely out of the water, tail and all, you'll understand why shark fishing has such a dedicated following.
Captain Frank's 12-hour offshore trips book up fast, especially during peak season when all these species are active in New Jersey waters. This is serious offshore fishing with a captain who knows how to find and catch fish, not just drive around burning fuel. With only 4 spots available, you get the personalized attention and prime fishing opportunities that make the difference between just going fishing and actually catching fish. The combination of proven fishing grounds, quality tackle, and Captain Frank's local knowledge gives you the best shot at the trip of a lifetime. Don't wait – these dates fill up quickly when the fishing reports start coming in hot.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail of tuna fishing - massive, powerful fish averaging 100-300 pounds with some giants pushing over 500. These warm-blooded predators range from surface down to 1,000+ feet, following bait schools along temperature breaks. Fall and winter bring the best action as they migrate south past our waters. The fight is legendary - expect blazing surface runs and deep dives that'll test your gear and endurance. Plus, this is the most prized sushi fish in the world. When chunking for bluefin, patience is everything. Set up a good chum slick with butterfish or herring, then wait. Sometimes it takes hours to draw them up, but when they do show, be ready with live or fresh dead bait on a circle hook. Keep the drag light initially - these fish can snap heavy line on their first run.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are some of the most colorful fish you'll encounter offshore. Mahi run 15-30 pounds on average, though we've seen them hit 50+. They love floating debris and weed lines, so we'll look for those spots 20-40 miles out where the water changes color. Summer through early fall is prime time when water temps hit 70+ degrees. What makes them special? They put up a great fight with lots of jumps, change colors like a light show when hooked, and make fantastic table fare - firm, white meat that's perfect grilled. Here's a local trick: when you hook one mahi, keep the fish in the water near the boat if possible. They're schooling fish, and that struggling mahi will often keep the rest of the school around for multiple hookups.
Alopias VulpinusThreshers are the most unique sharks we target - easily recognized by their massive tail that's as long as their body. These 16-foot, 500-pound fish use that tail like a whip to stun schools of baitfish at 50 mph. They cruise 40-50 miles offshore in 100-2,000 feet of water, preferring temps around 65 degrees. Late spring through fall is prime time when bait is thick. What makes them special? They're spectacular jumpers and incredibly strong fighters, plus that tail makes for amazing photos. Despite their size, they have small mouths, so use smaller hooks than you'd think. My go-to technique is drifting with whole mackerel or bluefish on 8/0 circle hooks. Key tip: use a long wire leader - at least 10 feet. That tail can easily wrap your line during the fight.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite marlin are the apex predators that'll give you the fight of your life. These billfish average 50-80 pounds and can stretch over 8 feet. They roam deep blue water near canyon edges and temperature breaks, constantly moving to breathe. Peak season runs July through September when water temps are warmest. What sets them apart? They're incredibly smart hunters that use their bills to stun prey, and they'll put on an aerial show once hooked. The thrill is in the hunt - you're matching wits with one of the ocean's top predators. Here's what works: when trolling ballyhoo, don't set the hook immediately when you see the bite. Let them take the bait and swim with it for a few seconds. These fish are suspicious, and patience on the hookset makes the difference between a release and a story.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the speed demons of our waters - torpedo-shaped fish that can hit 50 mph and average 60 pounds out here, though we've caught them over 100. They cruise the upper 300 feet of open ocean, especially around temperature breaks and current edges. Summer and early fall bring the best action when bait concentrations are heaviest. These fish are pure muscle and will test your endurance with long, powerful runs. The payoff? Premium sushi-grade meat that's worth its weight in gold. When we're marking fish deep but nothing's hitting the spread, I'll often switch to vertical jigging with butterfly jigs. Drop them fast to 200-300 feet and work them aggressively - sometimes that erratic action is exactly what triggers a strike when trolling fails.
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