Private New Jersey Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private inshore fishing charter targeting striped bass and bluefishFourhour trips accommodate up to four guests maximumCaptain Michael provides guided fishing experience from New Jersey
Captain Michael's got the inside scoop on New Jersey's best inshore fishing spots, and he's ready to put you on the fish. This private charter accommodates up to four anglers, making it perfect for families, friends, or anyone looking to escape the crowded party boats. Whether you're after hard-fighting stripers or feisty bluefish, these waters deliver year-round action that keeps local anglers and visitors coming back for more.
Your day starts early at the dock, where Captain Michael will brief you on the game plan based on current conditions and what's biting. New Jersey's inshore waters offer some of the East Coast's most consistent fishing, with structure-rich environments that hold baitfish and the predators that chase them. You'll be fishing productive areas like channels, jetties, and nearshore reefs where the action can turn on fast. The captain reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics throughout the trip to keep your lines tight. Expect to move around as conditions change – that's how you stay on fish in these waters. The boat comes equipped with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle, plus all the bait you'll need to tempt whatever's prowling below.
Captain Michael runs a variety of techniques depending on what's working best. Live bait fishing with bunker, eels, or spot produces explosive strikes from striped bass, especially around structure. When the fish are scattered or feeding aggressively, you'll switch to casting plugs, spoons, or soft plastics to cover water fast. Drift fishing with fresh clams or squid works magic on black sea bass around rocky bottom, while trolling umbrella rigs or swimming plugs lets you search for schools of blues or little tunny. The captain carries a full arsenal of tackle suited to New Jersey's diverse fishery – from light spinning gear for weakfish to heavier conventional setups for big stripers. He'll match your experience level to the right technique, whether you're learning to work a bucktail or perfecting your plug casting skills.
Striped bass rule these waters, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters can show up anywhere from 20 inches to well over 40, with the bigger fish putting serious bend in your rod. Spring and fall offer the hottest action when schools migrate through, but resident fish provide steady opportunities all season. They're smart fish that require finesse one day and aggression the next – that's what makes them so addictive to target. White weakfish, also called sea trout, offer some of the most fun fishing you'll find inshore. These beautiful fish have a soft bite that requires a gentle touch, but once hooked, they make screaming runs that'll test your drag. They love deep channels and drop-offs, especially during moving tides when baitfish get swept along.
Little tunny bring serious speed and power to the mix. These small but fierce members of the tuna family show up during warmer months, often feeding in frenzied schools that create surface commotion visible from miles away. When you find them feeding, the action is fast and furious with multiple hookups common. Bluefish are the ultimate crowd-pleasers, hitting lures with savage strikes and fighting hard all the way to the boat. They school up in impressive numbers and aren't picky about what they eat, making them perfect targets for anglers of all skill levels. Black sea bass round out the mix with their excellent table fare and willingness to bite. These bottom dwellers love structure and provide steady action when other species are finicky. They're also among the best eating fish in these waters.
New Jersey's inshore fishing scene delivers world-class action right in your backyard, and Captain Michael knows exactly how to make the most of it. This private charter gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace, target the species you're most excited about, and learn techniques that'll make you a better angler. The 4 to 6-hour trips provide plenty of time to hit multiple spots and adapt to changing conditions. With only four spots available, you're guaranteed personalized attention and the chance to really get dialed in on what's working. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – the best fishing times fill up fast, especially during peak migration periods when the action reaches fever pitch.
Get ready to chase stripers and blues aboard this perfectly rigged inshore boat designed for serious anglers. The clean, functional layout gives you plenty of room to work your light tackle and fly rods without tripping over gear or bumping into other fishermen. Captain Michael knows these New Jersey waters like the back of his hand and will put you on the fish whether you're targeting striped bass, bluefish, or weakfish. The GPS and fish finder take the guesswork out of finding productive spots, while the comfortable seating means you can fish hard for 4-6 hours without wearing yourself out. This boat handles the inshore waters beautifully and gets you to the action fast. Perfect for up to 4 anglers who want to experience some of the best fishing the Jersey coast has to offer. Book your trip and get ready to bend some rods!
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great eating. These chunky, dark-colored fish average 1-4 pounds with distinctive white spots along their dorsal fins. They're homebodies that stick tight to structure - wrecks, rocks, jetties, and reefs from 20-120 feet deep. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and feed. What makes sea bass so popular is their willingness to bite and excellent table quality - firm, sweet white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids and beginners since they're not overly spooky. The key to consistently catching bigger sea bass is getting your bait right to the bottom near structure. Use a simple two-hook rig with squid or clam strips, and don't be surprised if they inhale the whole rig. They fight hard initially but tire quickly once you get them off the bottom.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that put up a serious scrap once hooked. These torpedo-shaped fighters typically range from 3-15 pounds, with their blue-green backs and razor-sharp teeth making them easy to identify. They roam everywhere from the surf to 30 miles offshore, following baitfish through estuaries, around structure, and open water. Summer into fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before heading south. What anglers love about bluefish is their willingness to hit almost anything and their bulldogging fight. They're excellent table fare when handled properly - smaller "cocktail blues" under 5 pounds are especially tasty. Pro tip: blues hunt in packs and create feeding frenzies called "blitzes." When you find one, work the area thoroughly because there are usually more around. Use wire leaders - those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat, and always be careful handling them at boatside.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, also called false albacore, are pure speed demons that'll give you an arm-burning fight. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 8-15 pounds with distinctive black "fingerprint" spots on their sides. They're pelagic fish that love warm surface waters, often found around jetties, inlets, and anywhere baitfish are schooling. Late summer through fall is peak season when they're pushing through our waters. What makes tunny so popular is their lightning-fast runs and acrobatic jumps - they fight way above their weight class. While their dark red meat isn't for everyone, it's actually quite good when prepared right, similar to yellowfin tuna. Here's the trick with these speed merchants: when you find feeding birds and breaking fish, get your small jigs or flies in there fast. They travel in schools but move quickly, so you've got a short window to capitalize before they're gone.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the king of our coastal waters here in Jersey. These silver beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we see some real bruisers pushing 50+. They're structure-loving fish that hang around bridges, jetties, and drop-offs, cruising from the surf zone out to about 60 feet deep. Spring and fall are prime time when they're migrating through our waters - that's when the real action happens. What makes stripers so popular is their incredible fight and excellent table fare. They'll make screaming runs and test your drag like few other fish. Here's a local trick: during the fall migration, watch for diving birds and bait balls. When you see that commotion, get your live bunker or clams down quick - the stripers are feeding hard underneath, fattening up for winter.
Atractoscion NobilisWhite weakfish are some of the largest members of the croaker family we target here. These silver-grey beauties average around 7-8 pounds but can push into the teens, with their distinctive ridge along the belly setting them apart. They prefer brackish waters and estuaries, typically hanging in the middle column rather than hugging bottom. Spring through early fall is your best bet when water temps are in their comfort zone. What guests love about weakfish is their unique "drumming" ability - they actually make noise underwater to communicate. They're solid fighters with excellent eating quality, offering sweet, flaky white meat. The key trick with weakfish is patience and light tackle. They can be finicky, so use fresh squid or live bait and let it drift naturally. Don't horse them - their mouths are soft and they'll pull the hook if you get too aggressive with the fight.
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