Afternoon Striped Bass Charter in Sandy Hook Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon charter targets striped bass in Sandy Hook BayPrivate trip accommodates up to six guests with all tackle includedTrolling and bottom fishing techniques used by experienced local captain
Picture this: you're cruising Sandy Hook Bay on a perfect afternoon, lines in the water, cooler packed with cold ones, and stripers feeding just beneath the surface. Our 4-hour afternoon charter puts you right in the heart of New Jersey's top-rated striped bass fishing grounds, where the action heats up as the day winds down. Captain adjusts the game plan based on what's biting – whether that's trolling the main channels for bass or dropping bottom rigs for fluke and sea bass. This private trip handles up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to saltwater fishing or groups of buddies looking to escape the crowds and actually catch fish.
We launch at 1:00 PM from Leonardo State Marina, giving you the prime afternoon bite when fish start moving and feeding picks up. Sandy Hook Bay delivers consistent action because it's got everything – deep channels, shallow flats, structure, and current breaks that hold fish year-round. You'll spend your four hours working the most productive spots, from the Shrewsbury Rocks to the back bay flats where stripers ambush baitfish. The beauty of this trip is flexibility – if the bass are being finicky, we'll switch gears and target fluke on the sandy bottom or drop down for sea bass around the hard structure. All your tackle and bait come included, so you just show up ready to fish. Bring your own food, drinks, and cooler with ice – beer's welcome, but leave the hard stuff at home. The laid-back afternoon vibe means you can actually relax between fish instead of rushing around like those crack-of-dawn trips.
We run two main strategies depending on conditions and what's showing on the fish finder. Trolling lets us cover water fast, pulling umbrella rigs and tube-and-worm combos through the deeper channels where stripers cruise and feed. This technique shines when fish are scattered or when we're marking bait schools – nothing beats the screaming drag when a 30-inch striper crushes your trolled bait. When we switch to bottom fishing, we're targeting structure and drop-offs where fluke, sea bass, and blackfish hang out. You'll be fishing with high-low rigs baited with squid, clams, or fresh bunker, feeling for that telltale tap-tap of a fluke mouthing your bait. The captain reads the tide, wind, and structure to put you on fish – sometimes that means drifting the flats, other times we're anchored up on a productive piece of bottom. Both techniques produce, and you'll learn when and why to use each method depending on species, season, and conditions.
Striped bass are the bread and butter of Sandy Hook Bay, and these fish know how to fight. Most of our keeper bass run 24 to 32 inches, with plenty of meat for the dinner table and enough muscle to test your drag system. Spring and fall produce the best striper action when fish are actively feeding and moving through the bay. They're ambush predators that love current breaks and structure, so you'll often see explosive surface strikes when they're herding baitfish. What makes stripers special is their fight – they'll make multiple runs, try to wrap you around structure, and keep pulling even at boatside.
Summer flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are the masters of camouflage and pure table fare. These flatfish can grow impressive – we see plenty of 3 to 6 pounders, with doormat-sized fish over 8 pounds always possible. Fluke fishing requires finesse since they're notorious bait stealers, gently mouthing your offering before committing. The excitement comes from never knowing if that subtle tap is a short fish or a keeper that'll put up a bulldogging fight all the way to the net. Peak season runs June through September when they're actively feeding in the bay.
Sea bass might be smaller, but they're scrappy fighters that bend rods and fill coolers. These bottom dwellers love rocky structure and wrecks, hitting baits aggressively and fighting hard for their size. Most run 1 to 3 pounds, perfect for kids to handle while still providing steady action. They school up tight, so when you find them, you'll often limit out quickly. Sea bass season varies, but when they're open, they provide non-stop action that keeps everyone on the boat busy. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat.
This world-class afternoon charter books fast, especially during prime striper season from May through December. At $700 for up to 6 anglers, you're looking at just over $100 per person for four hours of guided fishing in some of New Jersey's most productive waters. Remember to grab your free New Jersey saltwater registry before the trip – it takes two minutes online and keeps you legal. The 7-day cancellation policy protects everyone, so book with confidence knowing you've got options if weather doesn't cooperate. Pack that cooler, round up your crew, and get ready for an afternoon of bent rods and tight lines in Sandy Hook Bay. The captain's already scouting the best spots, and the fish are waiting – all that's missing is you.
Step aboard this solid 28-foot Columbia Sea Skip cabin cruiser, your fishing platform for chasing striped bass around Sandy Hook Bay. The reliable 350HP MerCruiser gets you to the productive waters fast, cruising at 18 knots to beat other anglers to the best spots. With room for up to 6 fishermen, there's plenty of space to spread out whether you're trolling the deeper channels or dropping bottom rigs for blackfish and seabass. The cabin provides shelter when the afternoon breeze picks up, and the boat's stable design keeps you comfortable while fighting fish or waiting for that next bite. Built for New Jersey's inshore waters, this cruiser handles the bay's conditions with ease, getting you back to Leonardo State Marina safely with your catch.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, aggressive fighters that average around a foot long and 9 pounds, though we've seen them hit 26 inches. They love hard bottom around wrecks, jetties, and rocky structure in Sandy Hook Bay. These dark, jet-black fish with grayish bellies are year-round residents but fish best from late spring through fall when they're most active. What makes them popular is their scrappy fight and excellent table fare - restaurants pay top dollar for these guys. They travel in schools and aren't picky eaters, hammering everything from squid and clams to bucktails and soft plastics. Local tip: when you feel that first tap, give them a second to fully commit before setting the hook. Their bony mouths can be tricky, but once hooked, they put up a solid scrap all the way to the boat.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of our local waters, running those classic dark stripes down silver sides. Most fish we catch range 20-40 pounds, but Sandy Hook Bay holds some real giants. These structure-loving fish cruise around jetties, channels, and drop-offs from spring through fall, following baitfish migrations. What makes them special is their powerful fight and excellent eating quality - plus they're smart fish that keep you on your toes. They feed heavily during moving water, especially early morning and evening when they push baitfish to the surface. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're actively feeding during migration. Here's a local secret: watch for diving birds working baitfish - that's where you'll find feeding stripers. Match your bait to what they're eating, whether it's bunker, herring, or eels.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are masters of disguise lying flat on sandy bottoms throughout Sandy Hook Bay. These ambush predators typically run 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes over 20 pounds. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them perfectly built for bottom life in 10-40 feet of water around channels, drop-offs, and sand flats. Peak season runs May through October when they're actively feeding before their fall migration. What guests love is the challenge - fluke have a subtle bite and make great table fare with sweet, white meat. They're active hunters, chasing down everything from killies to squid. My go-to tip: use a slow drift with your bait just off bottom. When you feel that gentle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they grab prey sideways and need time to turn it around.
Sandy Hook, NJ