Back Bay Fishing in New Jersey
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full charter experience targeting multiple inshore speciesAccommodates up to 6 guests for back bay adventuresProfessional guidance from Reel Sport Fishing Charters team
New Jersey's back bays are where serious anglers come to find their favorite species without fighting the open ocean crowds. With Reel Sport Fishing Charters, you're getting access to some of the most productive inshore waters along the Jersey coast. These protected waters hold everything from doormat fluke to trophy stripers, and our local knowledge puts you right where the fish are feeding. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler or chase that personal best, this charter delivers the kind of fishing that keeps you coming back season after season.
Your back bay adventure starts when you want it to start – we work around your schedule because fishing should fit your life, not the other way around. These waters are perfect for groups up to six anglers, making it ideal for family trips or getting the crew together for some serious fishing action. The back bays offer calmer conditions than offshore trips, but don't mistake calm for boring – these waters are absolutely loaded with fish. You'll spend your day working structure, drop-offs, and known honey holes that have been producing fish for decades. The beauty of back bay fishing is the variety – one cast might bring up a hefty sea bass, while the next could have you battling a keeper striper. We provide all the tackle and know-how, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat.
Back bay fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. We'll be working with both live and cut bait, depending on what's working that day. Bucktails tipped with squid or gulp are money for fluke, while fresh bunker chunks get the stripers fired up. The key to success in these waters is staying mobile and hitting multiple spots throughout the day. We'll drift over sandy flats for fluke, work rocky structure for sea bass, and target grass beds where weakfish love to ambush baitfish. The gear stays light to medium action – perfect for feeling every bump and tap, because in back bay fishing, subtle bites often mean the biggest fish. Our fish finder and GPS keep us on productive bottom, while our local knowledge puts you on fish that other boats miss.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are the bread and butter of back bay fishing here in Jersey. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush passing prey. What makes fluke so exciting is their aggressive strike – when a big fluke hits your bait, you'll know it. They're most active during moving water, and the best action typically happens during the warmer months when they move into the shallows to feed. A keeper fluke – anything over 18 inches – makes for excellent table fare, and the bigger "doormat" fluke over 24 inches provide the kind of fight that gets your heart pumping.
Striped Bass are the ultimate game fish in New Jersey waters, and our back bays hold some real monsters. These fish are incredibly smart and can be finicky eaters, which makes landing one so rewarding. Stripers patrol these waters year-round, but spring and fall migrations bring the biggest fish through our area. They're voracious predators that will eat everything from small baitfish to crabs, making them perfect targets for both live and artificial baits. The fight from a good-sized striper is legendary – they'll make long runs and jump clear out of the water trying to throw your hook.
Sea Bass might be smaller than stripers, but pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish in these waters. These bottom-dwellers love structure – rocks, wrecks, and jetties where they can ambush prey. What makes sea bass fishing so addictive is how aggressive they are. When you find a school, the action can be non-stop with multiple hookups. They're also some of the best eating fish you'll find, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Peak season runs through the warmer months, and a good day can see limits all around.
Spotted Weakfish, also called speckled trout, are making a comeback in Jersey waters after being scarce for years. These beautiful fish have distinctive spots along their silvery sides and are known for their delicate mouths – hence the name "weakfish." They're schooling fish that love grass beds and shallow flats, especially during dawn and dusk feeding periods. When you hook into a good weakfish, you'll understand why they have such a devoted following among local anglers. Their fight is different from other species – more finesse than power – and they're absolutely delicious when prepared fresh.
Back bay fishing in New Jersey offers something you won't find everywhere – consistent action in beautiful, protected waters with fish that fight hard and taste great. This isn't just about catching fish; it's about experiencing some of the best inshore fishing the East Coast has to offer with guides who know these waters inside and out. Every trip is customized to what you want to catch and how you want to fish, whether that's filling the cooler with keeper fluke or targeting trophy stripers. The flexible scheduling means you can make this work with your plans, and the six-person capacity makes it perfect for bringing along family or friends who want to see what real New Jersey fishing is all about. Don't wait for the perfect day – in the back bays, every day on the water is a good day to fish.
This fully-equipped motorboat puts you right in the heart of New Jersey's productive back bay waters where Flounder, Sea Bass, Weakfish, and Stripers are waiting. Built for serious fishing with up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with a fish finder to mark your targets and GPS to hit those honey holes every time. When the fog rolls in, the radar keeps you safe and on fish. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting feeding activity and bird work. Between fishing spots, relax in air conditioning or grab a cold drink from the onboard refrigerator. The full galley lets you prep bait or cook your catch, while the head, shower, and sleeping quarters mean you can fish dawn to dusk comfortably. VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and the latest fishing reports. Wheelchair accessible design ensures everyone can get in on the action in these fish-rich back bay grounds.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy bottom dwellers that pack a lot of fight into their compact frames. Most run around a foot long and 2-3 pounds, but they're aggressive feeders with sharp teeth that'll take just about any bait. You'll find them around hard bottom structure - wrecks, jetties, and rocky areas where they school up in good numbers. Summer into early fall is prime time when they're active and feeding heavily. Guests love them because they bite consistently and make excellent table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's restaurant quality. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more. Here's my tip: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid strip and work it right on bottom. Sea bass hit hard and fast.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted weakfish, or "specks," are some of the most fun fish to target in our back bays. They average 12-16 inches but can push 3-4 pounds when conditions are right. These ambush predators love shallow grass flats and sandy bottoms where they hunt from spring through fall. What makes them exciting is their aggressive strikes on both live bait and lures - they'll hammer a topwater plug or soft plastic with authority. The meat is excellent eating, mild and flaky when cooked fresh. They get their name from their soft mouths, which means you need to play them carefully once hooked. Local secret: fish them on moving water during dawn or dusk, and keep steady pressure without horsing them in. That soft mouth tears easily.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of our back bay fishing, running anywhere from schoolie size up to 20-30 pound fish during prime season. These structure-loving fish hang around bridges, jetties, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, especially when water temps hit that 55-68 degree sweet spot. What guests love most is the fight - stripers are strong, stubborn fish that make long runs. They're also fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. Look for them early morning or late evening when they're feeding near the surface. Pro tip: when fishing live bunker or herring, hook them through the nose and let them swim naturally. The stripers can't resist that wounded baitfish action.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the flatfish masters of camouflage in our back bay waters. These "doormat" fish typically run 15-20 inches, but we regularly see keepers pushing 3-4 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is the challenge - they bite light and require patience. Plus, nothing beats fresh flounder on the dinner table. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. They grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around in their mouth.
Atlantic City