Cape May Black Sea Bass Fishing - 8 Hours Shared
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday shared charter targeting Black Sea Bass offshoreEight hours fishing productive bottom spots with experienced captainSocial fishing experience with fellow anglers in Cape May
Want to spend a full day targeting some of the tastiest fish swimming off Cape May? This shared 8-hour black sea bass trip puts you right where the action is hottest without the price tag of a private charter. You'll join other serious anglers aboard a well-equipped boat with a captain who's been working these waters for years and knows exactly where the bass are stacked up. It's the perfect way to get your limit while meeting fellow fishing enthusiasts who share your passion for bottom fishing. Pack your cooler because you're going to need it for all the keeper bass you'll be bringing home.
Your day starts early at the Cape May marina where you'll meet your captain and fellow anglers. After a quick safety briefing and introductions, you're headed out to the proven bottom spots where black sea bass love to hang out around structure. The captain runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed – this is fishing, not boot camp. You'll be fishing in depths typically ranging from 30 to 80 feet, depending on where the fish are biting best that day. The boat provides all the basic tackle you need, but feel free to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. Most days you'll hit multiple spots to keep the action steady, and the captain will adjust the game plan based on what the fish are telling him. Expect to be on the water from dawn until mid-afternoon, giving you plenty of time to fill your cooler and maybe even catch dinner for the next few nights.
Black sea bass fishing is all about precision bottom fishing, and this captain will show you the tricks that separate the pros from the weekend warriors. You'll be using standard hi-lo rigs with circle hooks, usually in the 4/0 to 6/0 range, tipped with fresh squid, clams, or whatever bait is working best that week. The key is keeping your rig tight to the bottom where these fish feed, but not so tight that you're constantly getting hung up in the rocks. You'll learn to feel the difference between a fish bite and your sinker bouncing off structure – it's a skill that takes practice but makes all the difference in your catch rate. The boat carries weights from 4 to 12 ounces depending on the drift and current, and the crew will help you dial in the right setup for the conditions. Don't worry if you're new to bottom fishing – the captain and crew are always happy to help newcomers get dialed in and start catching fish.
Black sea bass are hands-down one of the best eating fish you can catch off Cape May, and they're also a blast to fight on the rod. These chunky bottom dwellers typically run between 1 to 4 pounds in these waters, though bigger fish over 5 pounds show up regularly to make your day. They're most active from late spring through early fall, with the best fishing usually happening from May through October when water temperatures are in their sweet spot. What makes black sea bass so exciting to target is their aggressive feeding behavior – when you find a school, you can often catch them one after another until they wise up or move on. They hit bait hard and put up a surprising fight for their size, making those quick hooksets and steady pressure important to land them successfully. The 15-inch minimum size limit means you'll be releasing the smaller ones, but the keepers make some of the best fish tacos or fish and chips you'll ever taste. These fish are also known for their curiosity – they'll often follow your rig up from the bottom, giving you multiple chances to hook up if you stay patient and keep your bait presentation clean.
This shared trip books up fast, especially during peak season when the black sea bass bite is on fire. You're getting a full day of top-notch fishing at a fraction of what a private charter costs, plus you might just make some new fishing buddies along the way. The captain's local knowledge and years of experience fishing Cape May waters means you're maximizing your chances of bringing home a cooler full of delicious bass. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for a affordable way to get on the water or someone newer to the sport wanting to learn from experienced fishermen, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing days fill up weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip that has you planning your next Cape May adventure before you even get back to the dock.
You'll be fishing aboard a 2008 Sea Hunt 210 that's been completely updated with a brand new 2023 Suzuki 150 outboard. This rig is built for serious bottom fishing and getting you to the hottest sea bass spots around Cape May quickly and comfortably. The boat comes loaded with GPS navigation, radar for those foggy mornings, and quality fish finders to mark schools and structure where the bass are holding. The Sea Hunt's stable platform gives you plenty of room to work your tackle and fight fish, while the clean, well-maintained setup means you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about the boat. Perfect for targeting those tasty black sea bass on the productive bottom grounds off Cape May.
Cape May