Belmar New Jersey Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private fourhour inshore fishing trip from Belmar marinaTarget sea bass, striped bass, flounder, and occasional sharksAll equipment and tackle included for all skill levels
Looking for a solid day on the water without the crowds? This private inshore fishing charter out of Belmar puts you right where the action is. You'll be targeting some of New Jersey's most popular species – sea bass, striped bass, summer flounder, and if you're lucky, maybe even a thresher shark. The four-hour trip gives you plenty of time to get your line wet while staying close enough to shore that you won't spend half the day just getting to the fishing grounds. Whether you've never held a rod or you've been fishing these waters for years, the captain knows how to put you on fish and make sure everyone has a good time doing it.
This isn't your typical party boat experience – you're getting the whole boat to yourself or your group. The captain picks spots based on what's been biting and where the conditions look best that day. Some days that means working structure for sea bass, other times it's drifting for fluke or trolling for stripers along the beach. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility – if something isn't working, you can switch it up without worrying about what forty other people want to do. All your gear is provided, from rods and reels to tackle and bait, so you can focus on fishing instead of hauling a bunch of equipment. The captain will be right there to help with everything from rigging up to landing fish, making sure both beginners and experienced anglers get the most out of their time.
Inshore fishing around Belmar means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. You might be bottom fishing with bucktails and strip baits for fluke, dropping down with clams for sea bass around wrecks and structure, or casting plugs and live bait for striped bass. The captain comes equipped with a variety of tackle to match the conditions – from light spinning gear for smaller fish to heavier conventional setups when bigger fish are around. You'll learn about reading the depth finder, understanding how tides affect fish movement, and picking the right bait presentation. If thresher sharks show up, which happens more often than people think in these waters, you'll get a crash course in fighting a fish that can easily top your own body weight. The key is staying ready to switch tactics when the bite changes.
Sea bass are the bread and butter of Belmar inshore fishing, especially from late spring through fall. These chunky fighters hang around wrecks, reefs, and any hard bottom structure, and they're always hungry. Most run between 1-3 pounds, but the bigger ones can push 4-5 pounds and really bend the rod. They're perfect for beginners because they bite aggressively and fight hard, plus they make excellent table fare. Summer flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the flatfish kings around here. These ambush predators lie in the sand waiting to attack baitfish, and when they hit your offering, there's no mistaking it. The bigger "doormat" fluke can stretch over 20 inches and provide some serious pulling power. Prime time is typically May through October, with the largest fish often caught in deeper water during the heat of summer.
Striped bass are what most anglers dream about when they think New Jersey fishing. These silver-sided fighters can show up anywhere from 18 inches to over 40 inches, and the bigger ones will test your drag system and your arms. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but resident fish stick around all summer. They'll hit everything from live eels to topwater plugs, and there's nothing quite like watching a big striper explode on a surface lure. Thresher sharks might be the surprise catch of your trip – these torpedo-shaped predators use their massive tail fins to stun schools of baitfish. Landing one is a bucket-list experience that most anglers never forget. They typically show up during warmer months when bait is thick, and fighting one means holding on tight for a wild ride.
Private charters fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather cooperates. This trip gives you everything you need for a successful day on the water – experienced local knowledge, quality gear, and productive fishing grounds right off Belmar. Whether you're planning a solo fishing adventure, a father-son trip, or want to introduce someone new to saltwater fishing, four hours is the perfect amount of time to get a real taste of what inshore fishing is all about. Just remember to grab your fishing license beforehand and pack some snacks and drinks – you'll work up an appetite pulling in fish. Book now and get ready to see why so many anglers keep coming back to these productive New Jersey waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are our bread and butter fish - chunky, dark-colored bottom dwellers that pack a lot of fight into their compact 1-2 pound frames. They hang around hard bottom areas like wrecks, reefs, and jetties in 30-80 feet of water, traveling in schools when they're feeding. Spring through fall gives us the best action, with summer being peak season. Anglers love them because they bite aggressively, fight surprisingly hard for their size, and are hands-down some of the best eating fish in our waters - sweet, firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not picky about bait either. My go-to tip: drop a bucktail jig tipped with squid or clam right to the bottom near structure and work it with short hops - they'll usually hit it on the way down.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the backbone of our local fishing - those seven dark stripes make them unmistakable as they cruise the surf and nearshore waters. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, and they're built for power with broad shoulders that'll give you a real workout. They love structure like jetties, bridges, and rocky bottoms, usually within a few miles of shore. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, especially when baitfish are thick along the beaches. Guests love stripers because they fight hard and make prime eating - that white, flaky meat has a sweet taste that's hard to beat. Local trick: watch for diving birds or baitfish dimpling the surface, then drift live bunker or eels near the bottom where the stripers are waiting underneath.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounders are our local chameleons - flatfish that lie on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side, perfectly camouflaged until they ambush passing baitfish. Most run 15-20 inches, though we see some nice 4-5 pounders that'll bend your rod. They love structure like wrecks, reefs, and drop-offs in 20-60 feet of water. September through November is prime time when they're feeding hard before moving offshore for winter. Guests love them because they fight harder than you'd expect and make outstanding table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. Pro tip: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid strip and bounce it slowly along the bottom. That sideways bite feels like a tap-tap, so set the hook on any unusual feeling.
Alopias VulpinusThresher sharks are the unicorns of our waters - you'll know one instantly by that massive tail that's as long as their body. These blue-grey beauties average 16 feet and 500+ pounds, using that tail like a whip to stun baitfish at 50mph. We find them 20-40 miles offshore in 60-70°F water, following the bait schools during late spring through fall. They're strong fighters that'll test your gear, but they have surprisingly small mouths for their size. The meat's decent eating, though most folks are just thrilled to hook something this rare. Local tip: when you see diving birds working bait balls offshore, get your heavy tackle ready and drift slowly through the area with fresh mackerel or sardines.
Belmar, NJ