5.0(3 Reviews)Private 4 Hour Inshore Fishing Charter in Belmar
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour inshore fishing charter in Belmar watersTarget Sea Bass, Striped Bass, Flounder, and Thresher SharkAll equipment provided with experienced captain guidance
Looking for a solid day on the water without the crowds? This private 4-hour inshore charter out of Belmar gives you the freedom to fish at your own pace with Captain Chris Johnson, who knows these Jersey waters like the back of his hand. Whether you're a weekend warrior or completely new to saltwater fishing, you'll be targeting some of the Northeast's best fighting fish – Sea Bass, Striped Bass, Summer Flounder, and if you're lucky, maybe even a Thresher Shark. All your gear is covered, so just bring yourself and get ready to see why Belmar has been a top-rated fishing destination for decades. The best part? It's just you and your group, so no fighting for rail space or waiting your turn to get your line wet.
Captain Chris runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed – exactly what you want for a half-day trip. You'll head out from Belmar's marina and cruise to the most productive inshore spots, usually within a few miles of the coast where the structure holds fish year-round. The vibe is laid-back but focused, perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to saltwater fishing or small groups of friends looking to catch dinner. Chris provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need, plus he'll handle the messy stuff like baiting hooks and removing fish if you're squeamish. Don't worry about experience level – he's got the patience to teach beginners the basics while still keeping seasoned anglers engaged with tips on reading the water and finding where fish are holding.
You'll be fishing with medium to heavy spinning gear rigged for whatever's biting that day. Captain Chris switches up tactics based on conditions and target species – sometimes you'll be dropping jigs and bucktails for Sea Bass around structure, other times drifting live bait or using spreader rigs loaded with clams and squid for Flounder. When the Stripers are running, expect to throw some artificials like soft plastics or even live bunker if they're around. The boat's equipped with a fish finder to locate schools and structure, plus all the safety gear required by the Coast Guard. Chris keeps his tackle boxes stocked with everything from circle hooks for bait fishing to various jigheads and soft baits for when the fish want something moving. He'll adjust the approach based on what's working, whether that means anchoring over a wreck or drifting along the surf line.
"Reel C Charters with Captain Chris Johnson was an absolute thrill! Captain Chris's expertise and dedication to ensuring a successful fishing trip made for an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fantastic day out on the water!" - Michael
"Highly recommend Reel C Charters with Captain Chris Johnson! Chris's knowledge of the area and his dedication to customer satisfaction ensure an exceptional fishing experience. We had a blast and can't wait to go out with them again!" - Sam
"Captain Chris and Reel C Charters delivered an exceptional fishing experience! Chris's passion for fishing and his dedication to providing a top-notch charter experience made for a fantastic day on the water. Highly recommend booking with them!" - Cameron
Sea Bass are the bread and butter of Belmar inshore fishing, and for good reason. These chunky, hard-fighting fish love hanging around wrecks, reefs, and any kind of bottom structure. They're most active during spring through fall, with the best action typically from April through November. What makes them special is their aggressive nature – they'll slam a jig or inhale a piece of clam with serious attitude. Plus, they're excellent eating, making them a customer favorite for anglers who want to take dinner home. Most range from 12 to 18 inches, but keeper-sized fish around 15 inches provide plenty of fight on lighter tackle.
Striped Bass are the holy grail of Northeast inshore fishing, and Belmar's location puts you right in their migration path. These silver-sided battlers can range from schoolie size around 20 inches up to impressive keepers over 28 inches. Spring and fall migrations offer the best shot at numbers, while summer provides opportunities for resident fish. What gets anglers hooked is their versatility – they'll hit everything from live eels to artificial lures, and when you hook one, they make blistering runs that'll test your drag. The fight combines power with acrobatics, and their tendency to school up means where there's one, there's usually more.
Summer Flounder, or "Fluke" as locals call them, are the masters of disguise lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish can grow impressive – anything over 20 inches is a nice fish, and doormat-sized specimens over 5 pounds are what dreams are made of. They're most active during warmer months from May through October, with peak season typically June through August. What makes them exciting is the surprise factor – you'll think you're snagged on bottom until that telltale head shake gives them away. They're also premier table fare, with sweet, flaky white meat that makes the fight even more rewarding.
Thresher Sharks are the wildcard that can turn a good day into an epic one. These pelagic predators occasionally cruise inshore waters, especially during summer months when baitfish are abundant. Recognizable by their massively elongated tail fin, Threshers use that appendage like a whip to stun schools of fish. They typically range from 50 to over 100 pounds in local waters, making them the ultimate light-tackle challenge. What sets them apart is their aerial displays – they'll launch completely out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll have you talking about the trip for years. Landing one requires patience and skill, but the
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are our reliable workhorses - great action and even better eating. These chunky bottom dwellers average around a foot long and 1-2 pounds, with some reaching 5+ pounds around deeper wrecks and reefs. They stick to hard bottom near jetties, artificial reefs, and rocky structure from about 20-100 feet deep. Late spring through early fall is your best bet before they head offshore for winter. Guests love them because they're aggressive feeders that bend rods consistently, plus they're prized table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's restaurant quality. They school up, so where you catch one, there's usually more. Squid strips, clams, or small jigs work perfectly. Local secret: once you find a productive spot, mark it well and fish tight to structure - they don't roam far from home.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the bread and butter of our local waters - strong fighters that can run anywhere from schoolie size up to 50+ pounders. You'll find them around structure like jetties, bridge pilings, and drop-offs, especially during moving water. They migrate through our area spring and fall, but we get good action most of the season. What makes stripers special is their hard fighting combined with excellent table fare - firm, flaky meat with great flavor. They're also perfect for beginners since they're aggressive feeders. Best action happens early morning and evening when they move shallow to hunt. Live herring, eels, or bunker chunks work great, but they'll also crush lures. Here's the key: match your bait size to what they're feeding on, and always fish the moving water - slack tide usually means slow fishing.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, though the big females can hit 26 pounds and really bend your rod. They love hanging around structure - wrecks, drop-offs, and channel edges where they ambush prey. September through November is prime time when they're actively feeding before heading offshore. What guests love most is the challenge - they're smart fish that require finesse, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. They bite sideways due to their unique anatomy, so you need to give them time to turn the bait. Circle hooks work great with sea worms, squid strips, or live killifish. Local trick: drift with the current and keep your sinker just ticking bottom - too much weight spooks them.
Alopias VulpinusThresher sharks are the trophy fish that get anglers talking. These powerful predators average 16 feet and 500+ pounds, with that signature tail that's as long as their body. They hunt 40-50 miles offshore in deeper waters but sometimes cruise closer to shore. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at hooking one. What makes them special isn't just their size - it's watching them use that massive tail to stun baitfish with whip-like strikes at 50mph. The fight is something else entirely, with bursts up to 30mph that'll test your gear. They've got smaller mouths than you'd expect, so strong 8/0 hooks work best. Pro tip: look for bait balls and bird activity - that's where they're feeding. Fresh mackerel or sardines on a drift usually does the trick.
5.0 out of 5.0Reel C Charters with Captain Chris Johnson was an absolute thrill! Captain Chris's expertise and dedication to ensuring a successf...
Highly recommend Reel C Charters with Captain Chris Johnson! Chris's knowledge of the area and his dedication to customer satisfac...
Captain Chris and Reel C Charters delivered an exceptional fishing experience! Chris's passion for fishing and his dedication to p...
Belmar, NJ