Raritan Bay Full Day Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing adventure targeting Stripers in Raritan BayAccommodates up to 6 guests with combo trips available in MayGuests bring own food and drinks for all-day bay fishing
When you're looking for a serious day on the water, this full-day charter with Scaled Up Fishing Charters delivers exactly what die-hard anglers crave. We're talking sunrise to sunset fishing in some of Raritan Bay's most productive waters, where striped bass roam thick and the action keeps you busy all day long. This isn't a quick half-day trip – it's built for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water and come home with coolers full of fish and stories worth telling.
Your day starts early when we push off into Raritan Bay's prime fishing grounds, targeting the structure and current breaks where stripers love to hunt. We fish both the inshore flats and deeper bay channels, adjusting our approach based on tides, weather, and where the fish are biting that day. The beauty of a full-day trip is we're not rushed – if the bite slows in one spot, we've got plenty of time to move around and find active fish. Come May, things get even better when sea bass season opens up, and we can run combo trips targeting both species. You'll bring your own food and drinks for the day, so pack enough to keep you fueled – trust me, you'll work up an appetite fighting these fish. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out and everyone gets their shot at the action.
We run a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what the fish want that day. Live bait fishing with bunker, eels, or clams is our bread and butter – nothing beats a fresh chunk of bunker drifted over structure for big stripers. We also throw artificials when the fish are active, using everything from bucktails and soft plastics to topwater plugs during those magic dawn and dusk periods. All rods, reels, and tackle are provided, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. We fish medium to heavy spinning and conventional setups that can handle anything from schoolie stripers to those trophy fish that'll test your drag. When we're targeting sea bass, we'll drop down to the bottom with jigs, squid, and clams around the rocky structure where they love to hide. The captain knows these waters like his backyard and will put you on the fish using whatever technique is working best that day.
Striped bass are the main attraction here, and Raritan Bay serves up some of the best striper fishing you'll find anywhere. These fish range from keeper-sized 18-inchers all the way up to trophy bass pushing 40 pounds or more. Stripers are most active during the cooler months from fall through spring, following baitfish through the bay's channels and feeding heavily around structure. What makes catching them so addictive is their fight – they'll make long runs, jump, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. Plus, they're fantastic eating when prepared right. Black sea bass join the party starting in May, adding another dimension to your fishing day. These bottom dwellers are smaller but scrappy fighters that love to hole up around rocks and wrecks. They're excellent table fare too, with sweet white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a good old fish fry. The combo trips targeting both species give you the best of both worlds – the power and size of stripers with the consistent action that sea bass provide.
This full-day adventure is perfect for serious anglers who want to make the most of their time on Raritan Bay. Whether you're a local looking to get away from the crowds or visiting from out of town, this trip gives you the best shot at both trophy fish and a cooler full of dinner. The experienced crew at Scaled Up Fishing Charters knows exactly where to find the fish and how to put you on them. Book early, especially during prime season – spots fill up fast when word gets out about the hot bite. Come ready to fish hard, bring your appetite for both food and action, and prepare for the kind of day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Your fishing headquarters for the day is a well-equipped Pacemaker motorboat that's built for serious anglers targeting Stripers in Raritan Bay's productive waters. This boat handles up to 6 fishermen comfortably and comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water. The GPS keeps you on the best fishing spots while the fish finder helps locate schools of Stripers below. Stay cool with onboard air conditioning between fishing action, grab cold drinks from the refrigerator, and use the full kitchen to prep snacks. The onboard toilet means no cutting your fishing day short. When Sea bass season opens in May, this setup is perfect for combo trips targeting both species. Just bring your drinks and sandwiches – the Pacemaker has the rest covered for die-hard anglers ready to spend all day working the bay's most productive fishing grounds.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great table fare. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically weigh 2-4 pounds with some pushing 6+ pounds around our deeper structure. You'll find them hanging around wrecks, rocky bottom, and jetties in 20-80 feet of water. May through October is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. They're scrappy fighters with those big mouths and stubborn attitude, but what really gets people hooked is the eating - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: use a two-hook rig with fresh squid strips and bounce it right on the bottom. They're not shy, so when you find one, there's usually a whole school waiting.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are what make Raritan Bay fishing special. These silver-sided fighters with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds here, though we've seen plenty bigger. They love structure - jetties, drop-offs, and bridge pilings where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding near shore. What makes them so popular? They fight hard, pulling drag and making runs that'll test your arms. Plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. The key here is using live bunker or eels near the bottom around dawn and dusk - that's when they really turn on and you'll feel that solid thump on your line.
Brick, NJ