Full Day Inshore Fishing with Keyport Princess
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing charter in Keyport watersTarget Fluke, Scup, and Bass with Captain VictorAccommodates groups up to 25 guests comfortably
Captain Victor knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard the Keyport Princess, you're getting a local legend who'll put you right on top of the fish. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter where you drift around hoping for luck – Victor's been working these inshore spots for years and knows exactly where the bass are schooling, where the flounder are lying, and when the scup are most active. With room for up to 25 anglers, this full-day adventure gives you plenty of elbow room to work your lines without feeling crowded.
Your day starts early at Keyport's marina, where Captain Victor will have the Princess ready to roll. Don't expect to waste time – this guy gets you to the productive water fast. You'll be targeting multiple species throughout the day, which keeps things interesting as conditions change and fish move around. The boat's equipped with all the electronics you need to stay on fish, but Victor's local knowledge is what really sets this trip apart. He's constantly adjusting based on tide, wind, and what the fish are telling him. Bring your own tackle if you've got favorites, plus snacks and drinks since meals aren't provided. The captain focuses on fishing, not catering, which is exactly how serious anglers want it.
Victor runs a variety of techniques depending on what's working best that day. You'll likely start with bottom fishing for black sea bass and scup around structure, using conventional tackle with circle hooks and fresh bait. As conditions allow, you might switch to drifting for summer flounder with bucktails and strips, or even some light tackle work for striped bass if they're showing up on the finder. The Raritan Bay system and nearby inshore waters offer incredible diversity – one minute you're working a wreck for bass, the next you're drifting a sandy bottom for doormat fluke. Captain Victor reads the water constantly and isn't afraid to move if the bite slows down. That's the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Black sea bass are the bread and butter of this fishery, especially during their peak seasons in spring and fall. These chunky fighters love structure and will hammer a fresh clam or squid strip dropped near their hideouts. They're not huge – most run 1-3 pounds – but they're aggressive, tasty, and fun to catch on lighter tackle. The best part? When you find one, there are usually plenty more around. Summer flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the prize catch that gets everyone excited. These flatfish can grow massive in New Jersey waters, with doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds always possible. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sandy bottom, waiting to crush a bucktail bounced past their noses. Striped bass are the wild card that can turn a good day into an epic one. These powerful fighters show up when conditions are right, often in spring and fall, and will test your drag and your skills. Scup might not get the glory, but they're scrappy little fighters that keep the action steady when other species are being finicky.
Captain Victor's approach is all about putting fish in the box, not putting on a show. He's not going to spend time on social media or give you a history lesson – he's there to find fish and help you catch them. The Keyport Princess has built a solid reputation among local anglers because Victor consistently produces. He knows when to stay put on a hot bite and when to make a move. The boat handles well in typical inshore conditions, and with space for 25 people, you're not fighting for rail space like on some of the more crowded party boats. Veterans love that they can bring their own gear and fish their way, while newcomers appreciate that Victor will point them in the right direction without making them feel like rookies.
If you're serious about inshore fishing in New Jersey waters, the Keyport Princess delivers exactly what you're looking for – a captain who knows where the fish live, a boat that gets you there efficiently, and enough room to fish comfortably all day. Victor's not running a sightseeing tour; he's running a fishing operation for people who want to catch fish. Bring your tackle, bring your appetite for action, and be ready to work when the fish are biting. This is the kind of no-nonsense charter that produces consistently because the captain treats every trip like his reputation depends on it. Book your spot now and see why anglers keep coming back to fish with Captain Victor and the Keyport Princess.
Captain Victor's Keyport Princess is your ticket to productive fishing waters off the New Jersey coast. This spacious motorboat comfortably handles up to 25 anglers, making it perfect for group charters or family fishing trips. The wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently over productive spots without spooking the fish below. GPS navigation gets you to the best Bass, Scup, and Flounder grounds quickly, while the onboard facilities keep everyone comfortable during those long fishing sessions. The wheelchair-accessible design means everyone can join the action. Just bring your tackle, cooler full of snacks, and get ready to fill the fish box in Keyport's prime inshore waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky fighters that hang around structure - wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottoms in 20-120 feet of water. Most run 1-4 pounds, but we see some nice 6-8 pounders that'll test your drag. They're plentiful from late spring through summer when they move inshore to feed on crabs, squid, and clams. What makes them fun is they hit hard and fight all the way to the boat, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The males turn bright blue during spawning season, which is pretty cool to see. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook right away - let them take it and run a bit. They like to mouth the bait before committing, so patience pays off when targeting these tasty bottom dwellers.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgies, are the reliable workhorses of our local fishing. These silvery, deep-bodied fish typically run 8-14 inches and fight harder than you'd expect for their size. They're bottom feeders that love rocky areas, wrecks, and around pilings where they crush mussels and crabs with powerful jaws. May through October is prime time when they move inshore, making them perfect targets during our summer trips. Guests appreciate how cooperative they are - great for kids and beginners - plus they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. They also make fantastic live bait for stripers. The key to consistent scup fishing is keeping your bait on the bottom and using small hooks. Here's my go-to setup: small pieces of clam or squid on a size 6 hook. They bite light, so watch your rod tip carefully.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the king of our local waters, running anywhere from schoolies to 40-pound cows with those distinctive black stripes. They're structure-oriented fish that love bridges, jetties, and drop-offs, feeding on everything from bunker to eels. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round in varying depths. What makes them special is their power - they'll strip drag and give you a real workout. Plus, they're prime table fare with sweet, firm meat that's perfect for grilling. These fish are smart and can be finicky, so matching the bait to what they're feeding on is crucial. Here's what works: when using live bait, hook bunker through the nose, not the back. It keeps them swimming naturally and gets more strikes from educated fish.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the flatfish that'll surprise you with their size and fight. These sandy-bottom ambush predators typically run 15-20 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds are what everyone's after. They bury themselves in sand and mud flats, waiting to crush baitfish, squid, and crabs. Best fishing happens from late spring through fall when they're feeding heavily in shallow bays and along drop-offs. What guests love is their unpredictable nature - you never know if that next drift will produce a keeper or a real trophy. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters. My tip: always use a slow, steady retrieve when drifting bait. Flounder bite gently and swim off with your offering, so keep tension on the line but don't rush the hookset until you feel solid weight.
Keyport, NJ