Sea Isle City 6hr Bay Trip
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Sixhour back bay fishing trip targeting multiple speciesFlexible departure times arranged with experienced captainSmall group experience with fiveperson maximum capacity
Looking for a solid day of back bay fishing without all the rough water and seasickness? This 6-hour charter puts you right in the heart of Sea Isle City's productive back bays, where the fishing is consistent and the ride is comfortable. You'll be targeting some of the area's most popular species including flounder, bluefish, black sea bass, and weakfish. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod. With flexible departure times and room for up to 5 anglers, this trip is perfect for families, buddies, or anyone wanting to experience what makes South Jersey's back bay fishing so special.
This isn't your typical ocean charter where you're bouncing around in 4-foot swells all day. The back bays around Sea Isle City offer protected waters with plenty of structure, channels, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. You'll start the day discussing the game plan with your captain, who'll adjust the departure time based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. The boat is set up specifically for bay fishing with comfortable seating, rod holders, and easy access to prime fishing spots. Expect to move around throughout the day as the captain reads the water and puts you on active schools of fish. The relaxed pace means you can actually enjoy conversations between bites, and there's always time to help newer anglers get the hang of things. Don't forget to bring cash for the captain's tip – it's standard practice and shows appreciation for a job well done.
Back bay fishing is all about versatility and reading the conditions. Your captain will have you rigged up with everything from light spinning tackle for weakfish to heavier bottom rigs when you're dropping for flounder and sea bass. Expect to use a mix of live bait like killies, squid strips, and bucktails depending on what's working that day. The beauty of bay fishing is switching between techniques – one minute you might be drifting over structure with gulp baits, the next you're casting into a bluefish blitz that just fired up. The depths here range from 8 to 30 feet, so you're not dealing with heavy sinkers or complicated deep-water rigs. Circle hooks are the norm for most setups, especially when targeting keeper-sized fish. Your captain will handle the net and help with any tricky unhooking, plus they'll let you know about size limits and bag limits as you go. The gear provided is maintained and ready to fish, but feel free to bring your own favorite rods if you prefer.
Bluefish are the bread and butter of these back bay trips, especially during their peak runs in late spring through fall. These aggressive predators range from 2 to 8 pounds in the bays, with the occasional bigger fish pushing into double digits. Blues are pure excitement – they hit hard, fight dirty, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. They're most active during moving water, so your captain will time the trip around tide changes when possible. What makes bluefish so fun is their willingness to hit almost anything – live bait, artificials, even bare hooks if they're feeding aggressively. They're also excellent table fare when handled properly, though many anglers don't realize how good they can taste when bled and iced immediately.
Black sea bass have become the real prize of back bay fishing in recent years. These chunky bottom dwellers love the structure around bridges, channels, and rock piles throughout the bay system. Most bay bass run 1 to 3 pounds, but don't let their size fool you – they're strong fighters and absolutely delicious. Sea bass are smart, so your captain might have you using lighter leaders and smaller hooks to get more bites. They're typically most active during slack tide periods when they can ambush prey without fighting current. The best part about sea bass fishing is the consistency – once you find them, you can usually count on steady action. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters, with firm white meat that's perfect for everything from fish tacos to simple pan-frying.
This 6-hour back bay adventure gives you the perfect taste of what South Jersey fishing is all about. You'll experience productive waters, learn from an experienced captain, and have a great shot at bringing home dinner. The flexible scheduling means you can work around your schedule, and the protected bay waters make this trip suitable for anglers of all experience levels. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing, plan a bachelor party, or just get out on the water with friends, this charter delivers the goods. The 5-person capacity keeps things comfortable without feeling crowded, and you'll have plenty of room to fish without tangling lines. Book your spot now and get ready to see why local anglers consider these back bays some of the most consistent fishing grounds on the East Coast.
Hit the back bay waters of Sea Isle City aboard our reliable 29-foot 2010 Worldcat center console, rigged and ready for serious fishing action. Twin 250HP Yamaha engines push this boat to a smooth 35-knot cruise, getting you to the fish fast and back to dock comfortable. Perfect setup for up to 5 anglers chasing flounder, bluefish, seabass, and weakfish in the productive back bay system. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need stealth, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure. GPS and radar keep you on course, and the VHF radio maintains contact with other boats and marinas. Onboard facilities include a head for convenience during longer trips. Flexible departure times work around tides and your schedule - just coordinate with your captain for the best bite windows.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky bottom dwellers that fight surprisingly hard for their size. Most run 1-3 pounds, but the bigger males can push 5-6 pounds and develop that distinctive hump on their head. They love hanging around structure - wrecks, rocks, pilings, anywhere they can ambush prey like crabs and squid. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move into shallower water to spawn. What makes them special is they're born female and turn male as they grow - pretty wild stuff. They're excellent eating with firm, white meat that's hard to beat. Sea bass hit bottom rigs with squid or clam pretty reliably, though they'll occasionally chase a jig. My go-to trick is using a double-hook rig with squid on one hook and clam on the other - gives them options and usually doubles your chances of a hookup.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that put up a solid fight and make great table fare when handled right. These silver-blue speedsters typically run 2-10 pounds in our waters, though we occasionally see larger ones. They're notorious for their feeding frenzies - when you find one, there's usually a whole school nearby. Bluefish love chasing baitfish in the shallows and around structure during summer and early fall. They hit hard and fast, making them perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. The smaller "snappers" are fantastic for kids to catch. Blues have razor-sharp teeth, so bring a wire leader and watch your fingers when unhooking. Fresh oily baits like bunker work best, but they'll also slam spoons and poppers. Pro tip: when you hook into a school, keep your bait in the same area - they'll keep feeding aggressively for quite a while.
Sea Isle City, NJ