5.0(1 Reviews)Kids Half Day Fishing in Barnegat Light
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour kids fishing charter in calm Barnegat Light watersLight tackle provided targeting flounder, bluefish, and striped bassGroup fishing license included with flexible departure times
Want to get your kids hooked on fishing? Captain Alan's half-day kids' charter in Barnegat Light is hands down the best way to introduce young anglers to the sport. This isn't your typical fishing trip—it's designed specifically for children, with calm inshore waters, kid-friendly gear, and a captain who knows exactly how to make fishing fun for the little ones. With four solid hours on the water targeting flounder, bluefish, and striped bass, your kids will get real fishing action without the marathon endurance test of a full day charter.
Captain Alan runs this show in the protected waters around Barnegat Light—think shallow bays, quiet coves, and productive flats where the fish bite and the conditions stay manageable. This isn't about battling big swells or testing your sea legs; it's about putting kids in the best possible position to catch fish and fall in love with the sport. The boat stays close to shore in depths ranging from 3 to 15 feet, where young anglers can actually feel what's happening down below and learn to read their rod tips. The flexible start times mean you can work around nap schedules, other activities, or whatever else family vacation life throws at you. Captain Alan keeps everything simple—light tackle that kids can actually handle, clear instructions, and plenty of patience when lines get tangled or fish get away.
The tackle makes all the difference on a kids' trip, and Captain Alan gets this completely. He provides light spinning rods that won't wear out small arms, reels that are smooth and easy to operate, and terminal tackle sized for the fish you're actually targeting. We're talking about 6 to 7-foot medium-light rods paired with 2500-class spinning reels—gear that lets kids feel every bump and nibble without overwhelming them. The rigs stay simple: basic hi-lo rigs with circle hooks for bait fishing, small jigs for active fishing, and everything rigged and ready to go. If your family fly fishes, Captain Alan is happy to work with your gear, but most kids do best with conventional tackle. Bait varies with the season and what's biting, but expect to use squid strips, spearing, bloodworms, or small pieces of clam. The group fishing license is included, so you don't need to worry about that paperwork—just show up ready to fish.
"My son and I had a great time fishing with Captain Alan!" - Eric Redding
Atlantic Bonito show up in late summer and early fall, and when they're around, they provide some of the most exciting fishing you'll find in these waters. These fish are built for speed—think of them as the sports cars of the fish world, with torpedo-shaped bodies and incredible stamina. Bonito typically run 3 to 8 pounds in this area, which is perfect for kids because they're big enough to put up a real fight but not so large that they'll drag young anglers around the boat. They love to feed on small baitfish near the surface, often in schools, so when you find one, you usually find many. Kids love the visual aspect of bonito fishing—you can often see the fish crashing bait on top, and the strikes are aggressive and unmistakable.
Little Tunny, or "false albacore" as locals call them, are another top-tier target that gets kids' adrenaline pumping. These fish hit like freight trains and make long, powerful runs that'll have your young angler's drag screaming. They're typically smaller than bonito—most run 2 to 6 pounds—but they fight way above their weight class. Little tunny are seasonal visitors to Barnegat waters, showing up when the water temperatures are just right in late summer through fall. They're sight feeders that hunt in schools, following bait movements and water temperature breaks. What makes them special for kids is their aggressive nature—when they're feeding, they're not picky, and they'll hit small jigs, spoons, or even properly presented bait.
Tautog, known locally as "blackfish," are the bulldogs of the inshore scene and perfect for teaching kids about bottom fishing techniques. These fish live around structure—rocks, jetties, bridge pilings, and artificial reefs—and they're notorious for their powerful, stubborn fights. Most tautog in this area run 2 to 6 pounds, with the occasional larger fish pushing 8 to 10 pounds. They're year-round residents, but the best fishing happens in spring and fall when they're most active. Tautog have incredibly strong jaws and sharp teeth designed for crushing crabs and shellfish, so they provide a different kind of fight than the fast, running fish. Kids learn patience with tautog fishing—these fish are notorious bait thieves, and it takes skill to detect their subtle bites and set the hook before they steal your bait and disappear back into the rocks.
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of family fishing in this area, and there's something magical about a kid catching their first "doormat." These flatfish spend their time buried in sand and mud, perfectly camouflaged until unsuspecting prey swims by. Flounder fishing teaches kids about reading bottom structure and understanding how fish relate to their environment. Most flounder caught on these trips run 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional keeper pushing 22 inches or better. They're ambush predators that lie motionless on the bottom, then explode upward to engulf passing baitfish. The bite is often subtle—just a slight tick or weight on the line—which helps kids develop sensitivity and fish-reading skills. What really hooks young anglers is the moment they bring a flounder to the surface and see this alien-looking fish with both eyes on one side of its head.
Captain Alan's 22-foot Kencraft center console is the perfect fishing platform for young anglers exploring Barnegat Light's protected waters. This 2001 boat got a complete makeover in 2016 and runs smooth with its reliable 200 HP Suzuki motor, cruising comfortably at 40 knots to reach the best fishing spots quickly. The center console design gives kids plenty of room to move around safely while learning to cast and reel in flounder, bluefish, and striped bass. Built-in GPS keeps you on the fish, while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. The onboard icebox keeps drinks cold and holds your catch fresh. With space for up to 4 people, families can fish together in the calm bays and flats where kids can focus on having fun rather than fighting rough seas. The boat's stable platform makes it easy for little hands to handle light tackle and practice their fishing technique.
Sarda SardaThese silver speedsters with dark stripes are built like torpedoes and can hit 40 mph when chasing baitfish. Most run 8-12 pounds around here, though some push 15+ pounds. You'll find them in schools out in open water during summer and early fall, often feeding right on the surface where seabirds give away their location. They're not great eating in the U.S., but kids love the fast action when a school fires up - they'll hit almost anything you throw at them. When it's calm, soft plastics work best since they stay in the strike zone longer. Pro tip: once you find feeding birds, get there fast and have multiple rods ready because the bite can shut off as quickly as it started.
Euthynnus AlletteratusAlso called false albacore, these torpedo-shaped fighters average 10-12 pounds but can surprise you with their strength. Look for the distinctive black spots that separate them from bonito. They travel in noisy schools around jetties, inlets, and sandbars, especially during warmer months. What makes them special is their fight - they'll give you a workout on light tackle that's way beyond their size. The meat is red and stronger-tasting than regular tuna, but fresh ones are actually quite good. Trolling with bright feathers works well, but fly fishing is where they really shine. Here's the trick: when you hook up, don't horse them - let that fish work against smooth drag or you'll snap off.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are perfect for teaching kids how bottom fishing works. They sit buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush anything that swims by, typically running 15-18 inches but capable of reaching 5+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, around creek mouths, and over sandy flats - exactly the calm water spots we fish on kids' trips. They're fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat that even picky eaters love. The bite is subtle, so they teach young anglers to feel for light taps rather than hard strikes. Drift fishing with live minnows or small jigs works best. The secret is to fish just off the bottom and move slowly - when you feel that telltale thump-thump, count to three before setting the hook.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of the wreck and rock pile world. These thick-bodied bruisers average 2-4 pounds but can push 10+ pounds around the right structure. They live tight to jetties, wrecks, and rocky bottom during spring through fall, using their crusher teeth to feast on crabs and mussels. What guests love is the challenge - they're tough to hook and even tougher to pull away from cover once hooked. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in our waters. Green crabs are the go-to bait, but here's what most people don't know: crush up the shells and legs around your fishing spot first to get them fired up, then fish your fresh bait right in that chum slick for just 4-5 minutes before changing it out.
5.0 out of 5.0My son and I had a great time fishing with Captain Alan!
Barnegat Light