New Jersey Inshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target albie, bonito, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish inshore watersAugustSeptember prime season offers surface feeding frenzy actionFourguest capacity provides personalized charter fishing experience
Picture this: you're standing on deck watching the water explode as feeding fish chase bait to the surface, your rod bent double with a screaming reel. That's exactly what you'll get with Retriever Fishing Charters during peak summer and early fall months. Our New Jersey inshore trips put you right in the heart of some of the East Coast's hottest fishing action, where late summer brings together an amazing mix of pelagic species in waters close enough to shore that you'll be fishing within minutes of leaving the dock.
Your day starts early, meeting us at the marina as the sun's just starting to paint the horizon. We'll get you set up with everything you need - rods, reels, tackle, and all the gear required for a successful day chasing fast-moving gamefish. The beauty of New Jersey's inshore waters during August and September is the sheer variety of species moving through. You might start the morning hooking into aggressive bluefish, then switch gears when we find a school of albies tearing up the surface. With just four anglers max on board, everyone gets plenty of shots at the action without feeling crowded or rushed. The captain knows these waters like his backyard and can read the signs - bird activity, bait schools, temperature breaks - that lead us to where the fish are feeding. Some days we'll cover a lot of water trolling until we locate active schools, other times we might find them right away and spend hours working the same productive area.
We primarily troll to locate fish, running a spread of lures and baits designed to attract the species we're targeting. Once we mark fish on the finder or spot surface activity, that's when things get really exciting. The boat gets positioned upwind of the feeding school, and we'll cast into the mayhem with topwater plugs, metal jigs, or live bait depending on what they're eating. The key is matching the hatch - if they're on small silversides, we'll throw smaller lures, but when they're crushing bigger baits, we can get away with larger offerings. Circle hooks are standard for live bait fishing, which makes releasing fish easy and keeps mortality low. All our tackle is heavy enough to handle anything from 2-pound Spanish mackerel up to 20-pound king mackerel or cobia. The reels are spooled with braided line for sensitivity and strength, backed with fluorocarbon leaders that won't spook line-shy fish in clear water.
King Mackerel are the crown jewel of our late summer inshore scene. These silver rockets can stretch 30-40 inches and fight like fish twice their size. Kings love structure and temperature breaks, often found along the edges of channels or near artificial reefs. They're notorious for their blistering runs and aerial displays, making them a favorite among serious anglers. The best action typically happens from mid-August through September when they're feeding heavily before their fall migration. What makes kings so special is their unpredictability - they might grab a slow-trolled live bait or smash a fast-moving spoon with equal enthusiasm.
Mahi Mahi, or common dolphinfish, are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter on these trips. Their brilliant gold, blue, and green colors light up when they're hooked, and they're famous for their acrobatic jumps. Mahi are structure-oriented fish, often found around floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks. They're aggressive feeders and will hit everything from trolled baits to jigs worked near the surface. Schools of smaller "chicken" mahi provide non-stop action, while the occasional bull mahi over 20 pounds will test your tackle and technique. These fish are as beautiful as they are fun to catch, making them a photographer's dream.
Cobia are the bruisers of the inshore scene - brown and powerful, they look more like sharks than typical gamefish. These curious fish often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities that get your adrenaline pumping. Cobia are strong, determined fighters that use their broad tails and muscular bodies to test every knot and connection in your tackle. They're most active during warmer months and have a habit of following rays and other large fish, using them to stir up bottom-dwelling prey. Landing a 30-pound cobia on medium tackle is a workout you'll remember long after you get back to the dock.
Little Tunny, known locally as albies, are pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in the ocean. These small tunas rarely exceed 15 pounds but fight like fish twice that size. When albies are feeding on the surface, the water looks like it's boiling with their aggressive feeding behavior. They're incredibly fast, making long runs that will have your drag smoking. The key to success with albies is using light tackle and small lures - they can be surprisingly picky despite their aggressive reputation. When you find a feeding school, the action can be absolutely electric with multiple hookups and constant bites.
Bluefish are the reliable workhorses of New Jersey inshore fishing. These aggressive predators will eat almost anything and fight hard from the moment they're hooked. Blues travel in schools and when you find them feeding, you can expect steady action. They're particularly exciting on light tackle, where their bulldogging runs and head-shaking fights really shine. Bluefish are perfect for newcomers to saltwater fishing because they're aggressive, plentiful, and provide great action without being overly technical to catch. Don't let their reputation as common fish fool you - a 10-pound bluefish on the right tackle is as fun as any gamefish swimming.
Late summer and early fall represent the absolute peak of New Jersey's inshore fishing season. The water temperatures are perfect, baitfish are abundant, and gamefish are feeding heavily before their seasonal
Our restored 1995 20-foot Maritime Bay boat is your ticket to New Jersey's hottest inshore fishing action. This classic vessel got a complete makeover in 2020 and runs on a reliable 90HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish without burning through fuel. Perfect for up to 4 anglers who want to chase albies, bonito, Spanish mackerel, and blues when they're feeding hard on the surface. The boat's rigged with everything you need - GPS to mark the good spots, fish finder to locate bait schools, and a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on feeding fish without spooking them. August and September are prime time when these species go crazy, and there's nothing like hearing your drag screaming when you hook into a running albie or bonito. We'll troll until we find them busting bait, then it's game on. Book your spot and get ready for some serious rod-bending action in Jersey's productive inshore waters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are the ultimate late summer target around New Jersey - aggressive, plentiful, and always ready to bite. These voracious predators range from 2-pound "snappers" in the bays to 15+ pound "choppers" offshore. You'll find them everywhere from shallow harbors to 100-foot depths, but they're most active in 20-50 feet during feeding times. August and September are peak months when schools push through following bait. What makes bluefish fishing fun is their attitude - they attack lures with reckless abandon and fight hard all the way to the boat. They're also excellent table fare when bled and iced quickly. Blues will hit almost anything, but they have razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through mono in a heartbeat. Always use a short wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon, and bring extra rigs - when the bite is hot, you'll go through tackle fast as they chop everything in sight.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of inshore fishing - big, brown, and built to pull. These solitary hunters can reach 40-60 pounds and are often mistaken for sharks when cruising the surface. You'll spot them around structure like wrecks, buoys, and bridge pilings in 20-80 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is prime time as they migrate north along our coast. What guests love about cobia is the visual aspect - we often sight-fish for them, watching these bronze torpedoes cruise just under the surface. They fight hard and steady, making long runs that test your drag. The meat is fantastic too, with firm white flesh that's prized in restaurants. Here's the key to landing cobia: when you see one, cast ahead of where it's swimming, not right at it. Let your bucktail jig sink a few feet, then work it slowly. They're curious but spooky.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel, or "kingfish" as we call them, are some of the fastest fighters you'll hook off New Jersey. These streamlined predators typically run 15-30 pounds, though we see some pushing 50+ pounds during peak season. They cruise depths from 40-150 feet, often following bait schools along temperature breaks and structure. August through September is prime time when they move through our waters chasing Spanish mackerel and menhaden. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll strip line faster than almost anything else out there. The meat's excellent too, with firm white flesh that grills beautifully. Here's a local tip: when trolling for kings, use a wire leader and rig your bait with two hooks - one in the nose and a stinger hook mid-body. Kings love to hit baits from behind, and that back hook will save you from a lot of cutoffs.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, or "albies" as most folks call them, are pure adrenaline in a 10-15 pound package. These small tunas travel in schools and hit the New Jersey coast hard during August and September, feeding on spearing and anchovies in the surf and around inlet mouths. They prefer depths of 20-60 feet but will chase bait right into the wash. What makes albies special is their speed and stamina - pound for pound, they're one of the strongest fish in the ocean. When schools are feeding on top, the action is wild with birds diving and fish breaking everywhere. The meat is dark and rich, similar to yellowfin tuna when prepared right. Here's the trick with albies: they can be picky eaters, so match your lure size to whatever bait they're eating. Small metals, tiny poppers, and even flies work great. Once hooked, let them run - trying to horse them in will just straighten hooks.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the sports cars of the offshore world - fast, colorful, and built to fight. These golden beauties average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ when conditions are right. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100+ feet of water during late summer when warm Gulf Stream eddies push closer to shore. What makes mahi fishing special is their aerial show - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a display that gets everyone on deck excited. The meat is top-shelf too, with firm white flesh that's perfect for the grill. Mahi travel in schools, so when you hook one, keep the spread in the water - there's usually more around. Pro tip: once you boat one, toss it in the fish box and keep a bait near the boat. Live mahi under the boat often hold the school, giving you multiple shots at the action.
Atlantic City