Canyon Fishing for Tilefish, Wahoo & Mahi
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
15hour deep sea fishing adventure targeting multiple trophy speciesMaximum 4 guests for personalized canyon fishing experience offshoreProfessional mate assistance ensures successful catches beyond 60 miles
If you're looking to get serious about offshore fishing in Sea Isle City, this 15-hour canyon adventure with Philly Hooker Fishing Charter is exactly what you need. We're talking about a full day targeting some of the best pelagic species the Atlantic has to offer - tilefish, wahoo, and mahi mahi. This isn't your typical half-day bay trip; we're heading 60+ miles offshore to where the real action happens. With our experienced mate working alongside you and a maximum of 6 anglers on board, you'll have plenty of room to work and the personal attention that makes all the difference when you're chasing trophy fish.
Plan on an early start - we're talking dark-thirty departure times to maximize our fishing hours in the canyons. The ride out gives you time to rig up, grab some coffee, and watch the sunrise paint the ocean as we make our way to the productive waters where the continental shelf drops off into the deep blue. Our mate knows these waters inside and out, from the Wilmington Canyon to the Baltimore Canyon, and he'll put you on fish using a combination of trolling, bottom fishing, and live bait techniques depending on what's biting. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. We'll be fishing in depths ranging from 100 to 600 feet, so come prepared for some serious arm workouts when those big fish hit.
We run a mixed bag approach out here, which keeps things interesting and productive. For the mahi and wahoo, we'll be trolling with a spread of lures - think colorful skirted ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and maybe some high-speed wahoo lures when conditions are right. The tilefish action happens on the bottom, so we'll drop heavy jigs and fresh baits down to where these tasty bottom dwellers hang out around the rocky structure. Our mate will handle the rigging and boat positioning, but he'll teach you the techniques so you can feel confident working the gear. Expect to use 30-50 pound tackle for most of the fishing, with heavier gear available if we get into something really special. The key is staying flexible - canyon fishing means adapting to what the fish want on any given day.
Mahi mahi are the crowd favorites out here, and for good reason. These fish are pure gold - literally and figuratively. They fight like crazy, jumping and tail-walking across the surface, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table. Mahi are most active from late spring through early fall, with peak action happening when water temperatures hit the mid-70s. They travel in schools and love structure, so when we find one, there's usually more around. Look for them under floating debris, weed lines, or around our fish aggregating devices. A good mahi can run anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds, with the occasional bull pushing 50-plus.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the deep, capable of hitting 60 mph when they strike your bait. These fish are built like torpedoes - long, sleek, and equipped with razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through your line if you're not using wire leaders. They're more solitary than mahi, but when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. The initial run is absolutely blistering, and they'll test your drag and your nerves. Wahoo fishing is best from late summer through fall around here, when they're following bait schools along the continental shelf. Most of our wahoo run 20-40 pounds, but 50-pounders aren't uncommon.
Tilefish might not be the flashiest fighters, but they're absolute gold for the dinner table - some say they're the best-eating fish in the ocean. These bottom dwellers live in the deep, cold waters along the continental slope, typically in 200-600 feet of water. They're year-round residents, which makes them a reliable target when the pelagic bite is slow. Golden tilefish can grow massive - we're talking 20-40 pound fish that'll give you a steady, powerful fight from the depths. They're curious fish that'll often hit large jigs or fresh baits, and once you get one started toward the surface, it's just a matter of cranking and staying patient.
This type of canyon fishing represents some of the best offshore action you'll find anywhere along the mid-Atlantic coast. With Philly Hooker Fishing Charter, you're getting a top-rated crew that knows how to find fish and put you on them consistently. The 15-hour format gives us the flexibility to travel to where the fish are biting and spend quality time working productive areas. Whether you're after trophy photos, a cooler full of fillets, or just the satisfaction of battling world-class gamefish, this trip delivers. The small group size means personalized attention and plenty of room to fight fish without getting in each other's way. Don't wait - prime canyon fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when these species are most active.
Get ready to chase tilefish, wahoo, and mahi aboard our reliable 29-foot 2010 Worldcat center console! This fishing machine packs twin Yamaha 250HP engines that'll cruise at 35 knots, getting you to the productive waters fast. Built for serious anglers, she handles up to 6 fishermen comfortably with plenty of deck space for fighting fish. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need stealth, while the fish finder helps locate those deep-water targets. GPS and radar keep you on course during those early morning canyon runs, and the VHF radio maintains contact with the fleet. Whether you're dropping lines for tilefish in the depths or trolling for speedy wahoo, this boat's got the power and features to make it happen. The onboard head means longer fishing days, and with our experienced mate working the deck, you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the box!
Caulolatilus MicropsGrey tilefish are the hidden gems of deep water fishing - most folks call them "poor man's lobster" because the meat tastes that good. These bottom dwellers live in 250-800 feet around muddy and rocky structure, averaging 5-8 pounds but reaching 25+ pounds. They're year-round residents that dig burrows in the sea floor, making them reliable targets. Winter months tend to be most productive when they're more active. What guests love is the steady action - they're not shy about biting, and you can often catch multiple fish on the same drop. The key trick is using enough weight to stay on bottom in the current and being patient with the bite. They mouth the bait first, so wait for that solid pull before setting the hook.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most colorful fish you'll see - bright gold with electric blues and greens that fade fast once out of water. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 80+. These speed demons love floating debris and weedlines in 100-400 feet, making them perfect targets during our canyon runs. Best fishing happens May through September when they're thick around floating sargassum. What makes them special? They fight hard, jump like crazy, and the meat is white, flaky, and mild - some of the best eating out there. My tip: when you hook one, look for others nearby since they often travel in small schools. Keep that second rod ready because where there's one mahi, there's usually more.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and average 3-5 feet long. They roam the open ocean but concentrate around floating debris and structure in 60+ feet of water. Summer through fall brings the best action, especially July to November when they're moving through our area. What makes them special is the fight - they make blistering runs that'll test your drag, plus the meat is white, flaky, and some of the best you'll taste. We typically high-speed troll at 12-15 knots with wire leaders because their razor teeth will cut through anything else. Pro tip: when one hits, it's often violent, so keep your rod tip up and let the drag do its work. These fish don't give up easy.
Sea Isle City, NJ