Inshore Tuna Out to 50 Miles in New Jersey
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target tuna, mahi, and wahoo 30-50 miles offshoreSingle guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experienceProfessional charter service with fuel-adjusted pricing
Get ready to head way offshore for some of the best big game fishing New Jersey has to offer. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking about pushing out 30 to 50 miles into the deep blue where the real monsters live. When you book with Reel Sport Fishing Charters, you're signing up for a full-contact fishing experience targeting some of the most sought-after pelagic species in the Atlantic. We're talking yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and those scrappy little tunny that'll bend your rod in half. Fair warning though – fuel prices can shift our rates, but trust me, once you feel that first screaming run from a yellowfin, you'll know every penny was worth it.
This is a single-angler charter, which means you get the full attention of our crew and all the prime fishing spots to yourself. We'll be running hard offshore before dawn, cutting through the swells as we head to the productive waters where the continental shelf drops off and the big fish hunt. The ride out takes some time, but that's when you know you're getting serious – the further we go, the better the fishing gets. Once we hit our target zone, it's game on. You'll be working with top-shelf tackle designed to handle fish that can tip the scales at 100+ pounds. The water changes color as we move offshore, going from that murky green inshore stuff to the deep cobalt blue that holds the good fish. Expect to see birds working, bait balls getting hammered, and if we're lucky, tuna boiling on the surface. Pack your lunch because we don't provide meals – you'll want to keep your energy up for what could be an all-day battle with these fish.
Out here, trolling is king. We'll be pulling a spread of lures designed to mimic the baitfish these pelagics can't resist – think cedar plugs, diving lures, and ballyhoo rigs that dance through the water like wounded fish. Our setup includes outriggers to spread the baits wide and downriggers when we need to get down to where the fish are holding. You'll be working with 50-80 pound class tackle that can handle the initial runs but still gives you the fight you're looking for. When something hits, there's no mistaking it – the reel starts screaming, the rod bends over, and you better be ready to settle in for a fight. We also carry spinning gear for when we find fish busting bait on top, and nothing beats the rush of casting a popper into a school of feeding tuna. The captain reads the water, watches the fish finder, and adjusts our trolling pattern based on what we're seeing. Some days we're pulling lures at 8 knots, other days we're slow-trolling live bait along temperature breaks where the fish stack up.
The variety of fish we target on these offshore runs is what keeps anglers coming back. Wahoo are speed demons that'll smoke 200 yards of line before you can blink – they're built like torpedoes and fight like they're shot out of a cannon. These fish love structure and temperature breaks, and when they hit a trolled lure, they usually hook themselves with their aggressive strike. Yellowfin tuna are the bread and butter of our offshore trips, ranging from school fish around 20-40 pounds up to the bruiser yellowfins that can push 100 pounds or more. They're incredible fighters with stamina that'll test your limits, making long powerful runs and using their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. Bluefin tuna are the holy grail – these fish are pure muscle and can grow to massive sizes. They're regulated heavily, so we practice catch and release on most, but the fight alone is worth the trip. Mahi-mahi bring the color and acrobatics, jumping clear out of the water when hooked and putting on a show that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. Little tunny might be smaller, but pound for pound they're some of the strongest fish in the ocean, and they school up in numbers that can keep you busy all day long.
Wahoo are the ultimate speed fish, capable of hitting 60 mph when they want to. These sleek predators have razor-sharp teeth and a mean streak that makes them one of the most exciting catches in the Atlantic. They typically run 20-60 pounds off New Jersey, with the occasional monster pushing 80. Best time to target them is late summer through fall when they follow the bait migrations north. What makes them special is that explosive initial run – when a wahoo takes your lure, it's like hooking a motorcycle. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill. The challenge with wahoo is their sharp teeth can cut through leaders, so we use wire traces and check our tackle constantly.
Yellowfin tuna are the workhorses of the offshore fleet, and for good reason. These fish combine size, strength, and pure fighting ability in a package that'll push your tackle and your endurance to the limit. Off New Jersey, we see yellowfins from spring through late fall, with the biggest fish typically showing up during the summer months when the water temperatures peak. They travel in schools and feed heavily on squid, flying fish, and smaller baitfish. What anglers love about yellowfins is their multiple runs – just when you think you've got them whipped, they'll make another blistering run that has you wondering if your drag is set right. They're also fantastic table fare, prized by sushi restaurants and home cooks alike. The bigger fish, those 60-pound-plus yellowfins, are true trophies that represent the pinnacle of East Coast offshore fishing.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - hitting 60 mph with their torpedo-shaped bodies and razor-sharp teeth. Out here in NJ waters 30-50 miles offshore, you'll typically find them running 3-5 feet long, though bigger ones push 6+ feet. They cruise the open blue water, often solo or in small groups of 2-3 fish. Summer through fall gives us our best shots when the water's warm. What makes wahoo special is that blistering first run - they'll peel line like nothing else, plus the meat is absolutely top-shelf eating. Firm, white, and mild - perfect for the grill. Here's the key: run wire leaders because those teeth will slice through mono like butter. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with minnow lures or ballyhoo works best. When you hook one, hold on tight.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of the tuna family - strong, fast, and built to fight. Most fish we see run 60-80 pounds, but they can push over 200. You'll find them in the top 100 feet of water column, usually 30+ miles out where the blue water starts. They're warm-blooded, so they stay active year-round, but summer and early fall are prime time when bait concentrations draw them closer. What guests love is the power - yellowfin just don't quit, making long runs and testing your drag. Plus, the meat is sushi-grade quality. We troll rigged ballyhoo and cedar plugs, but when they're finicky, chunking with fresh bait brings them up from the depths. Pro tip: when you see birds working, get there fast - yellowfin often feed underneath diving gannets.
Atlantic City