Full Day Raritan Bay Striped Bass Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing adventure targeting StripersAccommodates up to 6 guests with Scaled Up Fishing ChartersCombo trips available with Sea bass starting in May
When you're serious about fishing and want to make the most of your day on the water, this full-day charter on Raritan Bay is exactly what you need. We're talking about a proper fishing adventure here – sunrise to sunset with some of the most consistent striper action you'll find in Florida waters. This isn't a quick half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. You'll have all day to work the best spots, adjust tactics as conditions change, and really get into the rhythm that produces trophy fish.
This is a die-hard angler's dream setup. We launch early and stay out until the fish tell us to quit, which means you'll experience the full cycle of how stripers behave throughout the day. Raritan Bay offers some of the most diverse inshore fishing you'll find, with structure, drop-offs, and current breaks that hold fish year-round. The bay connects to deeper waters but maintains that inshore feel with protected areas when the wind picks up. You'll be fishing with a maximum of 6 anglers, which gives everyone plenty of room to work and ensures you're not fighting for space when the action heats up. Captain and crew know these waters like their backyard – every hump, every channel, every spot where the bait stacks up and the stripers follow. Come May, we switch things up and offer combo trips targeting both stripers and black sea bass when the season opens, giving you even more variety and action.
We run a variety of techniques depending on what the fish are telling us. Live bait is king here – we'll have fresh bunker, eels, and whatever else is working that week. When the stripers are feeding aggressively, nothing beats a live eel drifted along the bottom near structure. For more active fishing, we'll throw artificials like bucktails, soft plastics, and topwater plugs when conditions are right. The boat is rigged with quality tackle that can handle everything from schoolie stripers to the big cows that patrol these waters. Circle hooks are standard for the live bait work, and we'll have a range of sinker weights to match the current and depth we're fishing. When sea bass season opens, we switch to bottom rigs with smaller hooks and lighter tackle – it's a completely different game but equally productive. The key is reading the water and adjusting throughout the day as conditions change.
Striped bass are the main target here, and Raritan Bay holds some serious fish. These aren't just your typical schoolies – we regularly see fish in the 28 to 40-inch range, with larger specimens always a possibility. Stripers in this area are aggressive feeders, especially during the spring and fall migrations when they're fattening up. They love structure and current, which this bay has in abundance. What makes striper fishing so addictive is their fight – they'll make long runs, dive for structure, and keep you honest right to the boat. The best fishing typically happens during moving water, either incoming or outgoing tide, when bait gets pushed around and the stripers position themselves to ambush. These fish are also excellent table fare when kept within regulations, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or making fish tacos.
Black sea bass become available starting in May, adding another dimension to your fishing day. These bottom dwellers are completely different from stripers – they're structure-oriented fish that live around rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom areas. Sea bass are scrappy fighters for their size, typically running 1 to 4 pounds with occasional larger fish mixed in. They're curious fish that will often investigate your bait before committing, and once hooked, they'll dive straight for cover. The technique is more methodical than striper fishing – you're working specific pieces of structure with precise presentations. Sea bass are also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with sweet, flaky meat that's prized by chefs. During combo trips, we'll alternate between striper spots and sea bass structure, giving you the best of both worlds in terms of technique and species diversity.
A full day on Raritan Bay with Scaled Up Fishing Charters gives you the time and opportunity to experience world-class inshore fishing without the rush. You'll learn how different techniques work, see how fish behavior changes throughout the day, and have multiple chances at both quantity and quality. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your striper game or someone who wants to experience what top-rated bay fishing is all about, this trip delivers. Pack your drinks and lunch, bring your camera for the grip-and-grin shots, and get ready for a day of serious fishing. The combination of productive waters, experienced crew, and full-day format makes this a customer favorite for good reason. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – the best fishing windows fill up fast, especially when word gets out about hot bites.
Hit the waters of Raritan Bay aboard our reliable Pacemaker motorboat, built for serious anglers who want to spend a full day chasing Stripers in Florida's productive inshore waters. This solid fishing platform comfortably handles up to 6 anglers and comes equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the bay. The onboard fish finder will help locate those productive spots where the Stripers are holding, while GPS keeps us on track to the hottest fishing areas. When you need a break from casting lines, cool off with the air conditioning or grab a cold drink from the refrigerator. The full kitchen lets you prep your catch or heat up those sandwiches you brought along. No need to hold it when nature calls - there's a clean toilet onboard. Come May, we'll be targeting Sea bass too, making for killer combo trips. Just bring your drinks, food, and fishing spirit. The Pacemaker handles the bay waters like a champ, getting you to where the fish are biting and keeping you comfortable while you work the rods all day long.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, scrappy fighters that hang tight to bottom structure - wrecks, rocky areas, and around pilings in 30-120 feet of water. Most run 1-4 pounds, but don't let their size fool you. These dark, mottled fish will give you a solid fight all the way to the boat. When our season opens in May, they're one of the best targets for combo trips with stripers. What guests love is how cooperative they can be - once you find a school, you can often load the cooler pretty quick. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, firm white meat perfect for the dinner table. Here's the trick: use a double-hook rig with squid or clam strips, and once you catch one, drop right back down. Where there's one sea bass, there's usually more, and they don't spook easily like other species.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of our bay fishing here - these silver rockets with their signature black stripes can grow anywhere from 20-40 pounds, though we've seen some real monsters push 50+. They love hanging around structure like jetties, drop-offs, and sandy points where baitfish get pushed around by the current. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're actively feeding near shore. What makes stripers special is that powerful run when they first feel the hook - they'll strip line fast before settling into a steady, bulldogging fight. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, flaky white meat. My go-to tip: watch for diving birds and bait breaking the surface. When you see that commotion, get your line in there quick - those feeding frenzies don't last long, but when stripers are busting bait like that, it's game on.
Brick, NJ