Belmar, NJ Mahi Mahi & Meat Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Pot hopping for Mahi Mahi in offshore watersDeep water bottom fishing targeting multiple speciesSmall group charter accommodating up to 6 guests
If you're looking to load up the cooler with some serious variety, this Belmar charter combines the best of both worlds. We start by pot hopping for those gorgeous golden mahi mahi, then shift gears to deep water bottom fishing where the heavy hitters live. Captain and crew at Nearfall Fishing Charters know these waters like the back of their hand, and this top-rated combo trip puts you on fish that'll have your arms burning and your cooler overflowing. With space for just 6 anglers, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work your lines without getting tangled up with a crowd.
This isn't your typical half-day trip to the local grounds. We're talking about a full day of serious fishing that takes you from the colorful chaos of mahi fishing to the steady grind of bottom bouncing in deep water. The day kicks off hunting down floating debris and lobster pot lines where mahi hang out looking for an easy meal. Once we've had our fill of those acrobatic fighters, we make the run to deeper structure where the meat fish live. You'll be anchored up over wrecks and rocky bottom in 80-150 feet of water, dropping heavy tackle down to where cod, pollock, ling, flounder, and sea bass call home. The crew handles all the navigation and knows exactly where to set up for the best action. Bring your appetite for variety because no two drops are the same out here.
For the mahi portion, we're running light spinning gear and conventional outfits with live bait or colorful lures that grab attention. When we find floating debris or pot lines, it's all about getting baits in the water fast and keeping them moving. Mahi are notorious for showing up in schools, so when one hits, everyone better be ready. The transition to bottom fishing means switching to heavier tackle with bank sinkers, circle hooks, and fresh baits. We're talking about 6-8 ounce weights to get down through the current, and sturdy rods that can handle pulling big ling and cod off the bottom. The crew provides all the gear you need, but if you've got your own setup, bring medium-heavy spinning or conventional gear for mahi and heavy bottom rigs for the structure fishing. Don't forget a good landing net and expect to retie leaders throughout the day.
Summer Flounder around Belmar are some of the best eating fish in the ocean, and these deep water doormat fluke know how to put up a fight. They're most active during moving water, especially on the edges of structure where baitfish get pushed around by the current. Look for them from late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish often coming from deeper water during summer months. What makes fluke fishing so addictive is that you never know when a 5-pound doormat is going to slam your bucktail, and the way they fight on light tackle keeps you guessing until they hit the net.
Mahi Mahi are the reason people fall in love with offshore fishing. These common dolphinfish are pure energy wrapped in electric gold and green colors that light up when they're hooked. They show up in our waters from late spring through early fall, following warm water and floating debris where small baitfish hide. A typical mahi runs 10-25 pounds, but don't let their size fool you - they'll jump, run, and test every knot you tied that morning. When you find a school, it's game on because where there's one mahi, there's usually a dozen more ready to eat.
Sea Bass might not be the prettiest fish in the cooler, but they're some of the best eating and most reliable biters you'll find on deep structure. These chunky bottom dwellers love rocky areas and wrecks where they can ambush crabs and small fish. They're active year-round in our area, with the best fishing during spring and fall when they're feeding heavily before seasonal moves. A good sea bass will go 2-4 pounds and fight like a fish twice its size, especially when you're trying to pull it away from its rocky hideout.
Lingcod are the bullies of the deep water, with huge mouths and an attitude to match. These aggressive predators can reach 20-30 pounds and will eat just about anything that fits in their mouth, including other fish half their size. They're most active in cooler months and love deep structure where they can ambush prey. What makes ling so exciting is their raw power - when a big one grabs your bait, it feels like you hooked the bottom until it starts moving and you realize you're in for a serious fight.
Atlantic Cod are the classic deep water target, and catching a good one never gets old. These cold water predators prefer deeper structure and are most active during fall and winter months when water temperatures drop. A keeper cod typically runs 5-15 pounds, but the big ones can push 20-30 pounds and provide the kind of steady, powerful fight that makes your back ache. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for everything from fish and chips to baked dinners.
This world-class combo trip gives you the best of Belmar's fishing scene in one shot. You'll experience the high-energy action of mahi fishing and the steady productivity of deep water bottom fishing, all while working with a crew that knows how to put you on fish. With only 6 spots available, this customer favorite fills up fast, especially during peak season when both mahi and bottom fish are biting strong. The variety alone makes this trip worth booking - you'll come home with a cooler full of different species and stories that'll last all winter. Don't wait around hoping for an opening; book your spot now and get ready for a day of fishing
This well-equipped motorboat puts you right where the action is off Belmar's coast. Built for serious offshore fishing, she handles the open water with ease while keeping up to 6 anglers comfortable all day. The fish finder helps locate those elusive mahi schools, while GPS and radar keep you on target even when visibility drops. When you're pot hopping for mahi then transitioning to deep water bottom fishing for cod, pollock, and sea bass, having an onboard kitchen and fridge means fresh bait and cold drinks. The ice box keeps your catch fresh, and the toilet means no cutting trips short. VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and the Coast Guard. With a multimedia system onboard, you can stay entertained between bites. Perfect setup for filling coolers with everything from golden mahi to bottom dwellers.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure gold when you spot them around floating debris and weed lines - literally. These fish light up in brilliant yellows and greens when hooked, putting on a color show that's something to see. Most run 15-29 pounds and about 3 feet, but they're built for speed and acrobatics. We find them best during warmer months around floating objects, debris, and temperature breaks in deeper water. What guests love most is the fight - these fish jump, run, and change colors the whole time. Plus, the white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality with a sweet, mild flavor that's hard to beat. The key to hooking up is making your bait skip on the surface like a flying fish. They can't resist chasing down anything that looks like it's trying to escape. Use circle hooks and be ready for a show when one grabs on.
Gadus MorhuaCod are classic bottom feeders that cruise sandy and rocky areas looking for an easy meal. Most run 2-4 feet and can hit 80+ pounds, though we typically see them in the 10-30 pound range around here. You can spot them by that distinctive barbel under their chin and the white lateral line running down each side. They hang around deeper structure and drop-offs, usually 100+ feet down where the water stays cool. Winter months from January through April are prime time when they move in to spawn. What people love is the fight - they're strong, steady pullers - and the table quality is top-notch. The white, flaky meat is what made cod famous worldwide. Best tip I can share: use fresh clams or squid on the bottom with a fish finder rig. Cod have excellent senses, so fresh bait makes all the difference in getting them to commit.
Ophiodon ElongatusDon't let the name fool you - ling aren't actually cod, but they're mean-looking greenlings with a mouth full of serious teeth. These bottom dwellers love deep rocky structure where they ambush anything that swims by. Females get much bigger than males, sometimes pushing 20+ pounds, while males stay under that 2-foot mark. They're lazy fighters but aggressive biters, preferring to hold tight to structure rather than make long runs. What's cool about ling is their mottled coloring helps them blend into rocky bottoms perfectly until they strike. The meat is firm and white - really good eating. They bite year-round, but fall and winter can be prime time. Here's what works: drop heavy metal jigs right down to the rocks and work them slow. Once hooked, get them up and away from structure fast or they'll wrap you up in the rocks every time.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are the masters of hide-and-seek on the ocean floor. They typically run 15-20 inches, but we've seen some doormat-sized ones push close to 26 pounds. What makes them special is how they lie flat on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side, perfectly camouflaged until they ambush passing baitfish. You'll find them around our deeper structures and drop-offs, especially from September through November when they're most active. People love targeting them because they're tricky to fool and absolutely delicious on the table. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the grill. Here's a local tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap bite, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it for a few seconds since they bite sideways and need time to get the bait positioned right.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the workhorses of our deeper wrecks and rocky structure - reliable, tasty, and always willing to bite. They average around a foot long and 9 pounds, with that classic black coloration and big mouth full of sharp teeth. You'll find them hanging tight to hard bottom structure like wrecks, reefs, and jetties where they school up and feed aggressively on crabs, clams, and small baitfish. They spawn from January through July, so fishing stays consistent most of the year. What makes them popular is they're great table fare - the white, flaky meat is prized by restaurants - and they bite readily when you find them. These fish travel in schools, so when you hook one, drop back down quickly because there's usually more. A good tip: use squid or clam strips on a high-low rig and keep your bait right on the bottom where they feed.
Belmar, NJ