Belmar Mahi Mahi & Deep Water Meat Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Pot hopping for Mahi Mahi in offshore waters near BelmarDeep water bottom fishing targeting multiple species including CodSmall group charter accommodating up to six guests maximum
This offshore charter out of Belmar combines the best of both worlds – pot hopping for colorful mahi mahi followed by serious deep water bottom fishing. Captain and crew at Nearfall Fishing Charters have dialed in this combination trip to maximize your time on the water and your chances of heading home with a cooler full of quality eating fish. We're talking about targeting structures where cod, pollock, ling, flounder, and sea bass call home, plus chasing those electric-colored mahi around floating debris. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of elbow room to work different techniques throughout the day.
Your day starts early as we head out from Belmar's inlet toward productive offshore waters. The first part of our trip focuses on pot hopping – that's when we cruise around looking for lobster pot buoys, debris lines, or any floating structure that attracts mahi mahi. These fish love hanging around anything that provides shade or attracts baitfish. Once we locate some promising water, we'll work the area with a mix of live bait, jigs, and trolling techniques. The action can be fast and furious when we find a good school of mahi. After we've worked the mahi bite, we transition to deep water bottom fishing over structure. This is where the "meat" part of the trip really kicks in – we're anchoring up over proven spots where big cod, chunky sea bass, and other bottom dwellers hang out. The variety of species you can catch in these deeper waters keeps things interesting, and the quality of eating fish is top-notch.
For the mahi portion, we'll be using medium-heavy spinning gear and conventional tackle depending on conditions. Live bait like ballyhoo or small blues work great, but don't overlook bucktails and soft plastics when the fish are aggressive. The key to successful pot hopping is staying mobile and reading the water – mahi are nomadic, so we need to adapt quickly. When we shift to bottom fishing, we're talking heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and cut bait to get down to where the big fish live. Cod love clams and squid, while sea bass go crazy for fresh cut bait. The captain provides all the tackle and bait you'll need, but if you have favorite rigs or lures that have worked for you in the past, feel free to bring them along. Bottom fishing requires patience and technique – you'll learn to feel the difference between a bite and the current, and how to work your bait to trigger strikes from fish holding tight to structure.
Mahi mahi are the stars of the offshore show, and these fish put on a display like no other species. Bulls can reach 30-50 pounds and fight with incredible speed and aerial acrobatics. They're most active during warmer months when water temperatures climb above 70 degrees, typically from late spring through early fall. What makes mahi so exciting is their aggressive nature – when you find a school, multiple fish often bite at once, creating chaos on deck. Their brilliant gold, green, and blue colors make them one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean, and the meat is absolutely premium table fare. Summer flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are flat fish that can grow to impressive sizes in New Jersey waters. These ambush predators lie on the bottom waiting for baitfish to swim by, then explode upward to grab their prey. A doormat fluke over 5 pounds is a real trophy, and the fight is surprisingly strong for a flatfish. Sea bass are chunky, aggressive fish that live around structure and make excellent eating. They're curious by nature and will often inspect your bait before committing, which makes for some interesting fishing. Atlantic cod are the holy grail of bottom fishing in our area – these thick-bodied fish can reach impressive sizes and provide some of the best eating you'll find in the ocean. They prefer cooler water and are most active during fall and winter months. Lingcod, despite their name, aren't actually cod but are fantastic fighters with big mouths full of teeth. They're ambush predators that hit hard and fast, often surprising anglers with their aggressive strikes.
This combination trip offers something for every type of angler – whether you love the excitement of mahi fishing or prefer the steady action of bottom fishing, you'll find plenty to keep you busy. The variety of species and techniques keeps the day interesting, and you'll come away with new skills and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish. Nearfall Fishing Charters has built a reputation for putting clients on fish and providing a professional, safe experience on the water. With limited space for just 6 anglers, these trips fill up quickly during peak season. The captain's local knowledge and years of experience fishing these waters give you the best shot at a successful day. Don't wait to secure your spot – contact Nearfall Fishing Charters today to book your Belmar mahi and meat trip.
This 6-passenger offshore fishing boat comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day chasing Mahi Mahi and bottom fish off Belmar. The onboard fish finder will help locate those productive structures where the action happens, while GPS and radar keep you on course even when visibility drops. VHF radio ensures clear communication with other boats and the marina. After battling fish all day, grab a cold drink from the refrigerator and relax with the multimedia system. The spacious ice box keeps your catch fresh, and there's a full kitchen and toilet onboard for comfort during those long fishing sessions. Perfect setup for pot hopping and transitioning between deep water spots where Cod, Pollock, Ling, Flounder, and Sea Bass are waiting. This boat is built for serious fishing trips that fill coolers with variety.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are fast-growing pelagic fish that put on a color show like nothing else. They average 15-29 pounds but can hit 87 pounds, with distinctive golden sides and electric blues and greens. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in warm offshore waters. They're surface dwellers that love chasing flying fish and anything that moves. Summer through early fall is prime time when water temps are right. What guests love is the wild fight - they're incredibly strong swimmers and will jump, run, and change colors the whole time. Plus, the meat is fantastic - firm, white, and mild tasting. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, get the boat moving and look for the school. Mahi travel in groups, so where there's one, there's usually more. Keep a second rod ready with a different lure because they'll often stay fired up and competitive.
Gadus MorhuaAtlantic cod are iconic fish with their big heads, blunt nose, and that distinctive whisker under their chin. They typically run 2-4 feet and can hit 88 pounds, with mottled coloring that changes based on their habitat. These bottom dwellers prefer rocky and sandy areas from shallow coastal waters out to 500-600 feet deep. Winter through spring is prime time when they're spawning and feeding actively. What makes cod special is the incredible eating - their flaky white meat is considered some of the best table fare around. They're also fun because they'll hit both live bait and jigs. Due to conservation efforts, there are strict regulations, so check current rules before fishing. Here's a tip that works well: use clams or squid on a fish finder rig, and don't be afraid to bounce it along the bottom. Cod are opportunistic feeders and will grab anything that looks like an easy meal.
Ophiodon ElongatusDespite the name, lingcod aren't actually cod but greenlings with a nasty attitude and teeth to match. They're ambush predators that can grow massive - females often hit over two feet while males stay smaller. These bottom dwellers love rocky structure from 30 to 300 feet deep, lying in wait among the rocks and kelp. They're territorial and aggressive, more likely to fight than flee when hooked. You can target them year-round, but they get extra feisty during spawning season. What guests love is their prehistoric look and the fact they'll eat almost anything - they're even cannibalistic. The meat is excellent too, firm and white. Here's the thing about lingcod: once you pull them away from their rocky home, they're actually pretty easy to land. Use heavy braid because of all the structure, and don't be surprised if they try to take your fingers off at the boat - those teeth aren't just for show.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are unique flatfish that live on the seafloor with both eyes on their left side. They're masters of camouflage, changing colors to match the bottom where they lie in wait for prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some nice keepers up to 26 pounds. They hang out on sandy and muddy bottoms from shallow inshore waters to deeper offshore spots. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. What makes them special is their sweet, delicate meat - some of the best eating you'll find. Plus, watching them change colors when you bring one up is always cool. Pro tip: use a circle hook and let them run with the bait for a few seconds before setting the hook. They bite sideways, so give them time to get it positioned right in their mouth.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are aggressive bottom dwellers with jet-black scales and a mouth full of sharp teeth. They average around a foot long and 9 pounds, but we've seen them up to 26 inches. These guys love hard structure - wrecks, reefs, and jetties where they can ambush prey. They're found from shallow water out to deeper offshore spots, always near rocky bottom or structure. Spring through fall is your best bet, especially when they're feeding heavily before winter. What makes them fun is they fight hard for their size and they're fantastic eating - restaurants pay top dollar for these because the meat is sweet and firm. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. My tip: use a light sensitive rod tip because they'll often just mouth the bait. When you feel that tap-tap, set the hook quick before they spit it out.
Belmar, NJ