New Jersey Deep Sea Fishing | 16 Hour Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
16-hour offshore charter targets Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Golden TilesTravels up to 80 miles offshore with 6 anglers maximumJigging, trolling, flat lining methods from 2am to 4pm
Picture this: you're 80 miles off the Jersey coast at 3 AM, cup of coffee in hand, watching your electronics light up with baitfish and knowing the big pelagics are lurking just below. That's exactly what you'll get with Shoot'em Sportfishing Charters on this marathon 16-hour offshore adventure. We're talking serious deep water fishing here – the kind where you target trophy Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin, Mahi, and those gorgeous Golden Tiles that make every angler's heart skip a beat. With space for just 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be bumping elbows when the bite gets hot. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're going the distance to put you on fish that most weekend warriors only dream about.
We shove off at 2 AM sharp, which I know sounds brutal, but trust me on this – that early start is your ticket to the best fishing of the day. By the time the sun breaks the horizon, we're already set up on productive water with lines in. The ride out gives you time to get your sea legs, grab some coffee, and watch the sun come up over the Atlantic. It's something special, and honestly, half our regulars say that sunrise run is worth the price of admission alone. We'll be back at the dock between 3:30 and 4 PM, giving you a full day of fishing prime offshore waters. The boat's equipped with everything you need – top-shelf electronics, quality tackle, and enough deck space to handle multiple hookups without turning into a Chinese fire drill. Custom departure times are available if you've got a group with specific needs, but that 2 AM slot puts you right in the sweet spot for pelagic activity.
We run three main approaches out here, and each one has its time and place depending on conditions and what we're marking. Jigging and popping is where the real adrenaline junkies shine – working those heavy jigs and poppers in 200+ feet of water when the Tuna are fired up and feeding aggressively. There's nothing like watching a 60-pound Yellowfin blow up on a surface popper. Trolling is our bread and butter for covering water and finding active fish – we'll pull spreader bars, cedar plugs, and ballyhoo rigs at varying depths to dial in what they want. When we find a hot bite, we'll often switch to flat lining live or dead bait, which can be absolutely deadly on big Bluefin that have seen every lure in the book. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the day. Some trips we might spend the morning trolling for Mahi in the current breaks, then shift to jigging structure for Tiles in the afternoon. Flexibility is key when you're fishing 80 miles offshore.
The Yellowfin Tuna fishing has been absolutely on fire, especially during the summer months when they push in tight to feed on the abundant baitfish. These fish are pure muscle – 30 to 80 pounders that will test your drag and your back in equal measure. They school up in good numbers, so when you find them, you can often get multiple hookups. The Bluefin bite has been consistent too, particularly in the cooler months when these giants are staging before their spawning runs. We're talking about fish that can push 200+ pounds – true bucket list catches that'll have you questioning your life choices about halfway through the fight. Mahi Mahi have been showing up in good numbers around any floating debris or weed lines, and they're always a crowd favorite with their crazy colors and acrobatic jumps. The Wahoo fishing has been a pleasant bonus – these speed demons will absolutely scream line off your reel and make sashimi-grade fillets. Bigeye Tuna are the night shift workers, often biting best in low light conditions, and they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in the ocean.
Yellowfin Tuna are the bread and butter of our offshore fishery here, and for good reason. These fish are built like torpedoes and fight like they're shot out of one. Peak season runs from June through October when water temps are in the sweet spot and baitfish are thick. A good Yellowfin will make multiple long runs, testing your endurance and technique. They're also fantastic table fare – that bright red meat makes some of the best sashimi you'll ever taste. The fight alone is worth the trip, but when you add in the eating quality, it's easy to see why these fish have such a loyal following among serious offshore anglers.
Bluefin Tuna are the holy grail of New Jersey offshore fishing, and landing one is an experience you'll never forget. These fish can live over 40 years and migrate thousands of miles, making them true ocean nomads. They're most active in our waters during spring and fall migrations, particularly when water temps are between 55-65 degrees. A big Bluefin will take you on a ride that can last over an hour, systematically testing every knot and connection in your setup. They're incredibly intelligent fish that learn from pressure, which makes them even more challenging to consistently catch. The size range varies wildly – you might hook into a 40-pound "school" fish or find yourself connected to a 300-pound giant that could pull your boat around.
Mahi Mahi bring the fun factor to any offshore trip with their electric colors and aerial displays when hooked. They're most abundant during the warmer months when Gulf Stream waters push closer to shore, typically from May through September. These fish love structure – any floating debris, weed lines, or current breaks will hold them. They're also one of the faster-growing fish in the ocean, reaching maturity in
This 2023 39' Front Runner center console is built for serious offshore fishing adventures. Powered by quad 300 HP Mercury engines, she'll cruise at 55 knots to get you out to the fishing grounds fast and back home before dark. Perfect for targeting Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Golden Tiles up to 80 miles offshore in New Jersey waters. The boat handles rough seas like a champ and comes loaded with GPS navigation, fish finder technology, air conditioning for those hot summer days, plus a bed and head for the long 16-hour hauls. With space for 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work the rails whether you're jigging, trolling, or running live bait. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access and keeps everyone in the action. Built tough for the demanding offshore environment where the big fish live.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye tuna are serious offshore targets that can push over 400 pounds, though most we see run 50-200 pounds. These deep-water fish have huge eyes adapted for hunting in low light conditions down to 800+ feet. They're found year-round but bite best during dawn and dusk periods when they move up in the water column. What sets bigeye apart is their ability to dive deep and fight hard in cold water where other tuna struggle. The meat is incredibly valuable - fatty, rich, and perfect for sashimi. We typically find them in the canyons 50+ miles offshore in deep blue water. Unlike other tunas, bigeye actually prefer dim light conditions. My best tip: focus your efforts right before dark or at first light. Troll dark-colored lures in the 8-10 inch range, and don't be afraid to keep lines out after sunset - some of our best bigeye come in total darkness.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the ultimate prize - giants that can hit 1,000+ pounds, though most we target are 100-400 pounds. These warm-blooded fish can handle cold water better than other tunas, making them available off New Jersey from late spring through early winter. They're incredibly strong fighters that'll test your endurance with deep dives and powerful runs. The meat quality is unmatched - rich, buttery, and the gold standard for sushi. We find them around structure, temperature breaks, and bait concentrations 30-100+ miles offshore. These fish are heavily regulated, so you'll need permits and must follow strict quotas. Chunking with fresh butterfish or trolling with small baitfish works well. Pro tip: morning and evening bites are most productive. When you hook one, settle in for a battle - these fish have the stamina to fight for hours.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of our most popular targets - and for good reason. These golden beauties average 15-29 pounds but can grow much larger, with the world record at 87 pounds. They're surface dwellers that love floating debris, weed lines, and warm water temps. We find them consistently from late spring through fall when water temperatures climb. What makes mahi so special is their fight - they're fast, strong swimmers that'll give you acrobatic jumps and long runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. When we're trolling for them, we look for birds working debris piles or sargassum lines. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep it in the water if possible - their colors fade fast once they're out, and a live mahi will often bring the whole school to the boat.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - hitting up to 60 mph with razor-sharp teeth to match. These sleek fish typically run 3-5 feet long and are absolute rockets when hooked. We find them in open water from 30-200 feet, often around temperature breaks and current edges. Summer through fall gives us our best shots at wahoo off New Jersey. What makes them special is that blistering speed and those slashing runs that'll test your drag system. The meat is fantastic too - white, flaky, and mild with a texture similar to mahi. They're prized eating fish that command premium prices. When trolling for wahoo, we run wire leaders because their teeth will slice through anything else. My tip: troll fast - 12-15 knots minimum. These fish want speed, and that high-speed presentation triggers strikes when slower baits get ignored.
Halichoeres CyanocephalusYellowcheek Wrasse are small, colorful fish that typically max out around 11 inches. You'll find them in 65-300 feet of water, usually hanging around sandy or gravelly bottoms near reefs. These vibrant blue-green fish with their signature yellow cheeks aren't really target species on our deep water trips - they're more of a pier fish closer to shore. Adults feed on small crustaceans, worms, and algae. While they're beautiful fish popular in aquariums, they don't put up much of a fight due to their size. If you do hook one while bottom fishing, use light tackle with size 4-6 hooks and fresh mussels or marine worms. They're better as catch-and-release since they're small. One tip: handle them gently - they can't survive big drops back to the water.
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