Extended Full Day Tuna & More - Barnegat Light
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing targeting tuna and deepwater sea bassSmall group experience limited to 34 passengers maximumMultiple fishing techniques including jigging, trolling, and wreck fishing
You know that feeling when you're looking for a fishing trip that covers all the bases? This extended full day charter out of Barnegat Light delivers exactly that. We're talking about a solid day on the water targeting everything from screaming tuna runs to heavyweight sea bass pulls. Captain and crew at Reel Altercation Sport Fishing know these waters like the back of their hand, and they've designed this trip to hit all the productive spots within a 30-mile radius of shore. With just 3-4 anglers max, you're not fighting for rail space or waiting your turn – this is premium fishing at its finest.
Your day kicks off early with some serious vertical jigging action targeting tuna. There's nothing quite like the arm-burning fight of a yellowfin or bluefin that crushes your jig on the drop. Once the morning bite starts to slow down, we switch gears completely and fire up the trolling spread. This isn't just throwing some lines out and hoping for the best – we're talking about a calculated approach that maximizes your shots at multiple species. Mid-summer brings one of the coolest opportunities you'll find anywhere: pot hopping for mahi mahi. These offshore structures hold baitfish, and where there's bait, there are hungry dolphinfish looking for an easy meal. The day wraps up with some serious bottom fishing over wrecks, where jumbo sea bass stack up in the deeper water. Each phase of this trip targets different species using completely different techniques, so you're constantly learning and adapting throughout the day.
This trip showcases three distinct fishing methods that serious anglers need to master. We start with vertical jigging, which means dropping heavy metal jigs straight down and working them with sharp, aggressive rod movements. It's physical fishing that requires good technique, but the payoff is worth every ounce of effort when a big tuna slams your jig. The trolling phase involves pulling a spread of lures at specific speeds designed to trigger strikes from fast-moving pelagics. Captain adjusts speed, direction, and lure selection based on water temperature, current, and what's showing on the fish finder. Pot hopping is pure sight fishing – we're looking for floating debris, weed lines, or actual lobster pots that concentrate baitfish and attract mahi. Finally, the wreck fishing requires precision bottom fishing with circle hooks and enough weight to hold bottom in current. All tackle is provided, but serious anglers often bring their own rods for the jigging portion since technique and feel are so important.
Yellowfin tuna are the bread and butter of this fishery, typically running 20-40 pounds with occasional fish pushing 60-plus. These fish show up in good numbers from late spring through early fall, and they're absolute bulldogs on light tackle. The key is finding the right water temperature breaks and bait concentrations. Bluefin tuna add another level of excitement, especially the school-size fish that range from 20-70 pounds. These fish are incredibly strong and make blistering runs that'll test your drag settings and your endurance. Little tunny, or false albacore, might be smaller but they're lightning fast and perfect for anglers who want non-stop action on lighter gear. Mahi mahi are the wild cards that make summer trips special – they're aggressive, acrobatic, and absolutely beautiful fish that often travel in schools. When you find one, there are usually more nearby. Black sea bass from the deeper wrecks are the perfect way to end the day, with jumbo fish often exceeding 4-5 pounds and providing excellent table fare.
This extended full day trip gives you the complete offshore experience without having to book multiple charters. You're getting tuna fishing, trolling action, sight fishing for mahi, and wreck fishing all in one perfectly planned day. The small group size means personalized instruction, more fishing time, and better shots at the fish of a lifetime. Barnegat Light puts you in prime position to access some of the most productive offshore waters on the entire East Coast, and Reel Altercation Sport Fishing has the local knowledge to put you on fish consistently. Don't wait until the prime dates are gone – this top-rated charter fills up fast, especially during peak tuna season. Book your spot now and get ready for the kind of fishing day that reminds you why you fell in love with offshore angling in the first place.
Fish the waters off Barnegat Light aboard our recently restored 25ft Sea Hunt center console, built for serious offshore action. Twin Yamaha engines push this boat to 40 knots, getting you to the tuna grounds fast and back to port with your catch on ice. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access while the captain works the electronics - GPS, radar, and fish finder - to put you on fish. Whether we're jigging for yellowfin at dawn, trolling for whatever's biting, or pot hopping for mahi, this boat handles it all. Hit the deep water wrecks on the way back for jumbo sea bass that'll test your arms. Onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh, plus there's a head when nature calls during those long offshore runs. Perfect for small groups of 3-4 anglers who want to fish hard without the crowd.
Centropristis StriataThese chunky fighters are our go-to wreck fish, especially the big males we target in deeper water. Most run 2-4 pounds, but the jumbos can hit 8+ pounds around structure. We find them on wrecks, rock piles, and artificial reefs from 60-120 feet deep. Late spring through summer is prime time when they're up shallow feeding. What's great about sea bass? They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat, and they fight surprisingly hard for their size until they hit the surface. They're also reliable - when you find structure, you'll find bass. Use a simple two-hook rig with squid or clam strips. My advice: fish right on the bottom and be ready to pull them up fast before they dive back into the wreck.
Thunnus ThynnusThe holy grail of our waters. These massive, warm-blooded predators average 100-300 pounds but giants over 500 pounds cruise our area. We target them from late spring through fall in 60-200 feet, especially around structure and temperature breaks. What makes bluefin special? It's the ultimate test - they're incredibly strong, smart, and the meat commands top dollar at market. The fight can last hours with deep dives and powerful runs. We use heavy tackle and live bait like herring or mackerel. Dawn and dusk are prime times when they feed aggressively. Pro tip: when chunking, be patient and let them come to you. These fish are spooky, so keep noise down and don't rush the hookset.
Euthynnus AlletteratusDon't let the "little" fool you - these scrappy fighters pack serious punch for their 10-15 pound average size. Also called false albacore, they travel in schools near the surface around jetties, inlets, and drop-offs. Late summer and fall bring the best action when they're chasing bait. What guests love? They're absolute bulldogs on light tackle, making screaming runs that'll test your drag. Plus they're great practice for bigger tuna. The meat's darker and stronger flavored than other tunas, but fresh it's quite good. Listen for feeding activity - they get noisy when attacking bait schools. My trick: use small spoons or poppers and don't overthink it. They're aggressive feeders, but light line helps when they get finicky.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are among the most colorful fish you'll encounter offshore. Most mahi run 15-29 pounds, though we've seen some push 50+ pounds. They're surface dwellers that love floating debris and weed lines - that's where we do our "pot hopping" in mid-summer. The brilliant colors fade quickly once out of the water, so get your photos fast. What makes them special? They put up a great aerial fight and the meat is absolutely fantastic - firm, white, and mild tasting. Perfect for the grill. When we find floating sargassum or debris, we'll circle it slowly first. Mahi spook easily, so patience pays off. Once hooked, they'll jump and run hard, making them a crowd favorite.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the bread and butter of our summer tuna fishing. These torpedo-shaped speedsters average 60 pounds but can hit 200+ pounds in our waters. We find them in the top 100 feet, often around temperature breaks and current edges. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavy. What sets them apart? Pure power - they'll make blistering runs at 50 mph and dive deep when hooked. The meat is incredible too, perfect for sushi or steaks. We start each trip jigging at dawn when they're most active, then switch to trolling spreads with ballyhoo and cedar plugs. Here's the key: when you mark fish deep but nothing's hitting, don't give up - drop a jig down and work it fast.
Barnegat Light