4 Hour Striped Bass Fishing Charter Sandy Hook
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private charter targeting striped bass in Sandy Hook BayAccommodates up to six guests with all tackle and bait includedDeparts 7:30 AM from Leonardo State Marina through December
Sandy Hook Bay delivers some of the best inshore fishing on the Jersey coast, and this 4-hour charter puts you right in the thick of it. Captain and crew from Reel Thing Fishing Charters know these waters like the back of their hand, targeting striped bass, fluke, sea bass, and blackfish in spots that produce fish year after year. At $700 for up to 6 anglers, you're getting serious value for a private charter that can accommodate your whole crew without dealing with other parties. The 7:30 AM departure from Leonardo State Marina gets you on the water while the fish are still feeding, giving you the best shot at filling the cooler.
Your captain reads conditions daily and adjusts fishing locations accordingly - that's the advantage of fishing with someone who lives and breathes these waters. Some days you'll be working structure for sea bass, other times you'll be drifting flats for fluke or trolling the channels for stripers. The boat comes rigged with quality tackle and fresh bait, so you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about gear. Bring your own lunch, drinks, and a cooler with ice - beer is welcome but keep the hard stuff at home. The relaxed atmosphere makes this trip perfect for families, groups of friends, or anyone looking to get away from the crowds you'd find on party boats. Remember to grab your free New Jersey saltwater registry online before you show up - it takes two minutes and keeps you legal.
Sandy Hook Bay fishing revolves around two main techniques that the captain will switch between based on what's biting. Trolling lets you cover water fast, pulling lures through productive zones where striped bass cruise looking for baitfish. You'll run umbrella rigs, tube-and-worm combos, or spoons depending on what the fish want that day. When bottom fishing, expect to drop rigs on structure where sea bass and blackfish hold tight. The captain knows every hump, hole, and drop-off that holds fish, positioning the boat so your baits hit bottom in the strike zone. Fluke fishing means drifting with the tide, bouncing bucktails or bait rigs along sandy bottoms where these flatfish ambush prey. The crew handles boat positioning and provides guidance on technique, but you'll be doing the fighting when fish hit.
Striped bass run these waters from spring through late fall, with fish ranging from schoolies to keeper-sized bass pushing 30 inches or more. These fish hit hard and fight harder, making long runs and testing your drag system. Peak action happens during spring and fall migrations when bass stack up in Sandy Hook Bay before moving to deeper water. The population has been strong in recent years, giving anglers excellent shots at multiple hookups.
Summer flounder, better known as fluke, are the flatfish everyone wants to catch. These predators can reach impressive sizes in Sandy Hook Bay, with doormat fluke over 5 pounds always possible. They're masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush baitfish swimming overhead. Fluke season typically runs May through September, with larger fish showing up as water temperatures rise. The thrill comes from the subtle bite - often feeling like a snag until your rod starts pumping.
Sea bass are the bread and butter of structure fishing, holding tight to rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom throughout the warmer months. These chunky fighters don't grow huge but make up for it with aggressive attitudes and excellent table fare. Black sea bass in the 1-3 pound range are common, with occasional jumbo fish pushing 4-5 pounds. They hit baits aggressively and fight hard for their size, often trying to wrap your line around structure. The season typically runs May through December, with fall fishing producing some of the biggest fish of the year.
This top-rated Sandy Hook Bay charter books up fast, especially during peak striped bass season and weekend slots. The combination of experienced captains, prime fishing grounds, and reasonable pricing makes it a customer favorite among New Jersey anglers. Remember that cancellations need 7 days notice, so plan accordingly when booking your trip. The season runs May 1st through December 1st, giving you months of opportunities to get on the water. A 20% cash tip for the crew is standard when they put you on fish and work hard to make your trip successful. Don't wait too long to secure your dates - the best fishing happens fast in Sandy Hook Bay, and spots fill up when word gets out about hot fishing.
Fish aboard this reliable 28-foot Columbia Sea Skip cabin cruiser, your ticket to prime striped bass waters in Sandy Hook Bay. Powered by a robust 350HP MerCruiser engine, this motorboat cuts through the water at a steady 18 knots, getting you to productive fishing grounds fast. The spacious cabin cruiser design keeps up to 6 anglers comfortable during those early morning departures and extended fishing sessions. Built for serious fishing, this boat handles both inshore bay waters and nearby Atlantic Ocean spots with confidence. The roomy deck gives everyone plenty of space to work their lines while trolling for stripers or dropping bottom rigs for fluke and seabass. Whether you're battling a keeper bass or reeling in dinner, this proven fishing platform delivers the stability and performance you need for a successful day on the water.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid fighters that average 1-2 pounds around Sandy Hook Bay's rocky structure and wrecks. These dark, stocky fish hang near the bottom around jetties and hard bottom areas in 15-40 feet of water. Best fishing runs from late spring through fall when they're most active. What makes them special is the combination - they fight hard for their size, they're excellent eating with sweet white meat, and they're reliable when conditions are right. They'll hit squid, clams, or small jigs bounced near bottom. Pro tip: when you feel that first tap, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook. They like to mouth it first.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Sandy Hook Bay, running anywhere from schoolie size up to 20+ pound fish during peak season. These silver fighters with distinctive black stripes love structure - bridge pilings, rocky areas, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. Spring and fall offer the hottest action when they're migrating through our waters. What hooks anglers is their powerful runs, the variety of techniques that work, and their reputation as top table fare. They'll hit everything from live bunker to plugs and soft plastics. Best local advice: focus on moving water around tide changes, especially early morning. When the current is ripping past structure, that's prime time for a quality fish.
Paralichthys DentatusFluke are the ultimate flatfish challenge in Sandy Hook Bay, typically running 15-20 inches with some real doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. These masters of camouflage sit on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish, usually in 10-30 feet of water near drop-offs and channel edges. Peak season here is late spring through early fall when they're feeding heavily. Guests love them because they're tricky to hook, fight surprisingly hard for a flatfish, and make outstanding table fare. They prefer live killies or squid strips drifted along the bottom. Local trick: use a slow drift and keep your bait moving slightly - a completely still bait often gets ignored by these picky predators.
Sandy Hook, NJ