New Jersey Inshore Wreck Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Target black sea bass and flounder on offshore wrecksSmall group experience with maximum six guests aboardProfessional charter service 2030 miles from New Jersey coast
Nothing beats the feeling of dropping lines over productive Jersey wrecks where black sea bass and summer flounder are waiting to bite. This top-rated inshore wreck fishing trip takes you 20-30 miles off the New Jersey coast to fish some of the most consistent bottom structure in the region. With Reel Sport Fishing Charters, you'll target prime wreck sites where sea bass stack up thick and flounder cruise the sandy edges looking for an easy meal. We keep groups small at just 6 anglers, so you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be fighting for rail space when the bite gets hot.
Your day starts early as we motor out to productive wreck sites that have been producing fish consistently. The ride out gives you time to rig up and get your gear sorted while we head to GPS marks that hold fish year after year. These artificial reefs and natural wrecks create the perfect habitat for bottom dwellers, and you'll be amazed at how quickly the fish finder lights up once we're positioned over structure. The water depth ranges from 60 to 120 feet depending on the wreck we're fishing, and the structure creates current breaks that concentrate baitfish and attract our target species. You'll spend the day drifting over wrecks, anchoring on productive spots, and working different presentations until you find what the fish want that day.
Wreck fishing is all about getting your baits down to the fish and keeping them in the strike zone. We'll be using conventional reels spooled with 30-50 pound braid to handle the structure and give you the backbone needed to pull fish away from the wreck. Bottom rigs with 4-6 ounce sinkers keep your baits tight to the bottom where sea bass and flounder are feeding. Fresh clams, squid, and sea worms are the go-to baits, though we'll also run some bucktails and soft plastics when the fish are active. The key is staying vertical over the wreck and feeling for that telltale tap-tap of a sea bass or the subtle weight of a flounder picking up your bait. Expect to lose some tackle to the structure - that's just part of wreck fishing - but the payoff is worth every rig you sacrifice to the bottom.
Black sea bass are the bread and butter of New Jersey wreck fishing, and these chunky bottom dwellers put up a solid fight once hooked. They typically run 1-3 pounds with keeper-sized fish measuring 12.5 inches or better, though we regularly see fish pushing 4-5 pounds during peak season from June through October. Sea bass are aggressive feeders that school up tight on structure, so once you find them, multiple hookups are common. Summer flounder are the prize catch on these trips, with keeper-sized fluke measuring 18 inches or longer. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie buried in the sand near wrecks, waiting to grab unsuspecting baitfish. Doormat flounder over 5 pounds are possible, especially during the spring and fall runs when bigger fish move through our waters. Both species are excellent table fare, making this trip perfect for anglers who want to bring home a fresh fish dinner.
Summer flounder are the most sought-after species on these wreck trips, and for good reason. These master ambush predators can grow over 30 inches and 10 pounds in New Jersey waters, though most keepers range from 18-24 inches. They're most active during moving tides when they position themselves along wreck edges to intercept baitfish swept along by the current. Spring and fall offer the best shot at trophy-class flatfish, while summer provides consistent action with keeper-sized fish. What makes flounder so exciting is their unpredictable fight - they'll bulldoze toward the bottom one minute and make surface runs the next, keeping you guessing until they're in the net.
Black sea bass are the workhorses of New Jersey wreck fishing, providing consistent action when you need it most. These stocky fighters are most active from late spring through early fall, with peak fishing occurring during the warmer months when they're actively feeding. Sea bass are curious by nature and will often investigate anything that moves near their wreck, making them relatively easy to target with the right presentation. They're also incredibly structure-oriented, rarely straying far from their home wreck, which means once you locate a school, you can often work them for extended periods. Their firm white meat makes them a customer favorite, and their aggressive feeding habits ensure steady action throughout the day.
New Jersey's inshore wrecks offer some of the most reliable bottom fishing on the East Coast, and this trip puts you right in the heart of the action. With fuel costs affecting pricing, it's smart to book early to lock in your spot and avoid potential rate increases. The intimate 6-person capacity means personalized attention and plenty of space to fish comfortably, but it also means trips fill up fast during peak season. Whether you're after a cooler full of sea bass for the table or chasing that trophy summer flounder, these productive wreck sites consistently deliver the goods. Contact Reel Sport Fishing Charters today to reserve your date and experience why local anglers keep coming back to these proven fishing grounds year after year.
Centropristis StriataThese plump bottom dwellers are what most of our wreck trips are built around. Black sea bass run 12-16 inches typically, weighing 1-4 pounds, with the occasional 5-pounder making your day. They stick tight to structure - wrecks, rocky bottom, anywhere they can ambush crabs and squid. Best fishing runs late spring through fall when they're shallow, usually 60-150 feet deep. What's cool is they start life as females, then the bigger ones change to males with bright blue colors during spawn. They fight surprisingly hard for their size and are absolutely delicious - firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They school up around structure, so finding one usually means finding many. My advice: drop your bait right to the bottom and keep it there. These fish rarely chase bait up in the water column.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the bread and butter of wreck fishing here in Jersey waters. These chunky, dark-colored fish average around a foot long and 2-3 pounds, though we see plenty pushing 4-5 pounds on the deeper wrecks. They love hard structure - old shipwrecks, rocky bottom, anything with nooks and crannies to hide in. Late spring through early fall is peak season when they move inshore to depths of 60-120 feet. Guests love them because they fight hard for their size and they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, flaky white meat. They travel in schools, so once you find one, there's usually more below. Here's the key: use a 3-4 ounce bucktail with squid or clam, and when you feel the bite, reel fast - they'll duck back into the wreck structure if you give them slack.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are the ultimate masters of disguise - they'll change colors to match whatever bottom they're lying on. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can hit 26 pounds and live nearly two decades. You'll find them on sandy bottoms around our wrecks, usually in 20-120 feet of water. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're most active. What makes fluke special is their sideways bite and strong fight once hooked. They're also fantastic eating - firm, white meat that's restaurant-quality. My tip: use a bucktail jig with a strip of squid or sea robin belly, and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that tap, count to three before setting the hook - fluke need time to turn that bait around.
Atlantic City