New Jersey Fishing Charter | Spring Season
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Captain Frank guides 4-hour and 6-hour inshore fishing trips.Target striped bass, bluefish, scup, weakfish, and fluke species.Spring season runs April through May in Harbor waters.
Captain Frank knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish in some of the most productive inshore waters along the East Coast. New York Harbor and Raritan Bay come alive each spring, and there's no better way to experience it than from the deck of a well-equipped charter boat. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this seasonal fishing adventure delivers consistent action from April through May when the fish are hungry and aggressive after their winter hiatus.
You've got options here – either a focused 4-hour trip or an extended 6-hour adventure, both designed to maximize your time on the most productive spots. Captain Frank runs a tight ship with space for up to 6 anglers, so you're not fighting for elbow room at the rail. The boat launches into the expansive waters where New York Harbor meets Raritan Bay, an area that's become legendary among local anglers for its spring fishing. These waters warm up just right during the season, creating perfect conditions for stripers making their annual migration north. The structure here is incredible – from deep channels to shallow flats, rocky outcrops to sandy bottoms – giving you variety and keeping the action fresh throughout your trip. Plan to bring your own snacks and drinks since meals aren't provided, but trust me, you'll be too busy fighting fish to think much about food anyway.
Captain Frank's approach is all about reading the water and adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Live bait fishing is the bread and butter here, especially when targeting striped bass that are cruising these productive waters. You'll likely work with fresh bunker, eels, or bloodworms depending on what's hot. The boat comes equipped with quality rods and reels, but if you've got your favorite setup, bring it along – just make sure your drag is smooth because these fish will test it. Drift fishing over structure is huge in this area, letting your bait work naturally in the current while covering ground. When the bluefish are schooled up, you might switch to casting lures or working topwater plugs for some visual excitement. The depth here ranges from 15 to 60 feet in most spots, so you're not dealing with crazy deep water tactics. Circle hooks are standard for most presentations, keeping fish healthy for release while giving you solid hooksets. Captain Frank will have you covered with terminal tackle, but experienced anglers might want to bring their own favorite jigs or soft plastics.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of this fishery, and April through May is prime time for quality fish. These aren't schoolie bass – you're looking at fish ranging from keeper-sized 20-inchers up to genuine trophy stripers pushing 40 pounds or more. The beauty of spring fishing here is that you get both resident fish that never left the area and fresh arrivals from their southern wintering grounds. They're aggressive, well-fed, and ready to fight. Scup, or porgy as locals call them, provide consistent action when you need it. These scrappy bottom dwellers might not win any beauty contests, but they're fantastic eating and put up a surprising fight for their size. You'll find them around structure in 20-40 feet of water, and they're perfect for keeping kids engaged when the bigger fish are being finicky. Southern Flounder are the flatfish prize in these waters, masters of camouflage that require a bit of finesse to hook properly. They typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional doormat pushing 5 pounds. Bluefish round out the target species list with their notorious aggressive nature. These are the fish that hit hard, fight harder, and never give up until they're in the boat. Spring blues are typically in the 3-8 pound range, perfect for putting a serious bend in your rod without requiring heavy tackle.
This spring season books up fast, and for good reason – Captain Frank's reputation for putting clients on fish is well-earned, and these productive waters don't stay secret for long. The April to May window is relatively short but incredibly productive, making every trip count. Whether you choose the 4-hour option for a taste of the action or commit to the full 6-hour adventure for maximum fishing time, you're looking at some of the best inshore fishing New Jersey has to offer. The combination of Captain Frank's local knowledge, quality equipment, and these world-class waters creates the perfect recipe for a successful day on the water. Don't wait until the last minute – prime spring weekends fill up quickly, and you don't want to miss your chance at hooking into the fish of a lifetime in these renowned waters.
Captain Frank's restored 2005 Contender center console is your ticket to prime fishing waters around New York Harbor and Raritan Bay this spring season. This 36-footer runs smooth with triple 250HP Yamahas, hitting 35 knots when you need to chase the bite or beat weather back to port. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to work the rails when stripers are running hot. Modern electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate structure and baitfish where bass, blues, and fluke hold. The icebox and onboard fridge keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long April and May sessions. Air conditioning provides relief on warm days, while the head and sleeping quarters add comfort for extended trips. Whether you're targeting early season stripers or working the bay for flounder, this well-equipped boat puts you on fish in New Jersey's most productive inshore waters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are pure aggression on fins - these blue-green torpedoes with razor-sharp teeth are some of the hardest fighting fish in our waters. They typically run 3-15 pounds with muscular bodies built for speed and destruction. You'll find them anywhere baitfish gather - open water, around structure, or in feeding frenzies near the surface. Spring through fall brings the best action, especially when they're chasing bunker schools. What makes blues special? They fight like crazy and provide non-stop action when you find a school. Smaller "snappers" are mild and delicious, while bigger fish have richer flavor. Watch for diving birds and churning water - that's blues in a feeding blitz. Use wire leaders with spoons or poppers, and be careful of those teeth when unhooking!
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgies as the old-timers call them, are perfect for families and anglers wanting steady action. These silver-bodied fish with rainbow-tinted scales usually run 1-2 pounds and up to 15 inches, though we catch some chunky 3-pounders. They're bottom feeders that love rocky structure, pilings, and sandy areas where they crush shellfish with their powerful jaws. May through early fall is prime scup season when they move inshore. They're excellent table fare - sweet, firm meat that's great fried or baked. Plus they make perfect live bait for bigger stripers. Pro tip: use small hooks with squid strips or clam pieces, and jig your bait slowly off the bottom. When you hook one, there's usually a whole school below.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of disguise on our flats - these flat, oval fish bury themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds, though we land some doormat-sized fish over 10 pounds. They prefer sandy bottoms in shallow bays and around structure where small fish and crabs hang out. Spring through fall is best, especially on moving tides. Flounder are prized for their mild, white meat - some of the best eating you'll find. They're also fun to catch since they hit hard and fight surprisingly strong for a bottom fish. Local secret: drift live minnows or strips of squid just off the bottom near drop-offs and channel edges where they wait to feed.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our spring fishing here in New York Harbor and Raritan Bay. These silver-sided beauties with their signature black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we see some real bruisers pushing 50+. They love structure - bridge pilings, drop-offs, and rocky areas where they ambush baitfish. April through May is prime time as they migrate north from their winter grounds. What makes stripers special? They're powerful fighters that'll test your drag, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: watch for working birds diving on bait pods - that's where you'll find feeding stripers underneath. Use live bunker or fresh clams on circle hooks near the bottom.
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