Somers Point Wreck Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Private 5-hour wreck fishing charter for up to 6 guestsTargets bottom fish around wrecks within 20 miles offshoreOperates seasonally from June through early September
Looking for some serious bottom action off the Jersey coast? Shore Thing Charters has you covered with their top-rated wreck fishing trips out of Somers Point. This isn't your typical bay fishing – we're talking about hitting the real structure up to 20 miles offshore where the big fish hang out. From June through September, when the water temps are just right and the fish are feeding heavy, these 5-hour morning trips consistently produce some of the best catches in South Jersey waters. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who lives for the bend of a rod, this charter puts you right where you need to be.
Your day starts early with a 7:30 AM departure, which is prime time for wreck fishing. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll run you out to proven spots where artificial reefs and natural structure hold serious fish. The boat holds up to 6 anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space like on those big head boats. These are private trips, meaning the captain's working for your group only. The ride out gives you time to get your tackle sorted and maybe grab some coffee before the real work begins. Once you're on the numbers, it's all about staying tight to the bottom and working those vertical presentations that drive wreck fish crazy.
Wreck fishing is all about getting down fast and staying put in the strike zone. You'll be using conventional reels with 30-50 pound test, depending on conditions and what's biting. High-low rigs with circle hooks are the bread and butter here – they keep your bait right where the fish are feeding without getting hung up too bad. The crew will have you rigged with fresh squid, clams, and whatever bait is producing that week. When you're fishing 60-80 feet of water over structure, current is always a factor, so expect to use 6-12 ounce sinkers to maintain bottom contact. The key is feeling that tick-tick-tick of your weight bouncing off the wreck, then detecting when a fish picks up your bait. It's a completely different game from casting lures – this is pure finesse fishing with heavy tackle.
Summer Flounder are the stars of the show during peak season. These flatfish can push 5-8 pounds on the wrecks, with doormat-sized fish over 20 inches showing up regularly. They're ambush predators that lay flat against the wreck structure, waiting for baitfish to swim by. What makes fluke fishing so addictive is never knowing if that next drop will produce a keeper or a genuine trophy. They fight harder than most people expect, making long runs and using their flat profile to leverage against the current.
Spotted Weakfish, or "specks" as locals call them, are absolute favorites among regular charter customers. These silver bullets average 2-4 pounds but can reach 8+ pounds around the deeper wrecks. They're schooling fish with soft mouths, so once you hook into one, there's usually more below. Weakfish are notorious for their delicate bite – you'll feel more of a mushy weight than a hard strike. They're also some of the best eating fish in Jersey waters, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Tautog, better known as blackfish, are the bulldogs of wreck fishing. These fish live right in the structure, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and mussels off the wreck itself. A 4-pound tog will fight like it weighs twice that, using every piece of structure to try and break you off. They're year-round residents but fishing is best during the cooler months of the season. Green crabs and white leggers are the go-to baits, and you need to set the hook hard the second you feel them pick it up.
Black Sea Bass round out the wreck fishing slam and they're probably the most reliable biters you'll encounter. These fish stack up on structure in big numbers, and once you find a good school, it can be non-stop action. They average 1-3 pounds but 5+ pounders show up regularly on the better wrecks. Sea bass are aggressive feeders that will hit squid, clams, or small jigs with equal enthusiasm. They're also fantastic table fare and have generous bag limits during open season.
This is hands-down one of the most productive wreck fishing operations running out of South Jersey. The combination of local knowledge, quality equipment, and access to fish-holding structure makes for consistently successful trips. Shore Thing Charters has built their reputation by putting customers on fish, and their repeat business speaks for itself. The season runs June through September when conditions are most favorable and fish populations are at their peak. Morning trips are world-class for wreck fishing since that's when these bottom dwellers feed most actively. Don't wait until peak summer to book – the best dates fill up fast once word gets out about the bite. Whether you're looking to load the cooler or just experience some of the best bottom fishing the Jersey coast has to offer, this charter delivers every time.
Our 27' World Cat catamaran cuts through New Jersey waters with twin 250 Honda engines, delivering you to prime wreck sites up to 20 miles offshore. This stable platform handles rough seas while you target bottom fish around sunken structures. The spacious deck gives your group of 6 plenty of room to work lines without crowding. Essential gear includes GPS to mark productive spots, radar for safe navigation, and fish finder to locate schools holding near wrecks. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox and stay comfortable with the head facilities during long 5-hour runs. From our Somers Point dock, we'll have you fishing productive waters where fluke, sea bass, and tog gather around underwater structure.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are steady producers around our wrecks and rocky bottom from late spring through summer. These chunky fighters average 1-4 pounds with the occasional doormat over 8 pounds lurking in deeper water. They stack up on structure - shipwrecks, rock piles, and artificial reefs in 40-120 feet. What's cool is the males turn bright blue during spawn and develop that distinctive hump on their heads. They're scrappy fighters that'll dive straight back to structure when hooked. Guests love them because they're reliable biters and fantastic eating - firm white meat that's perfect for any recipe. They'll hit both bait and jigs, making them great for mixed groups. Pro tip: when you hook one, get it up and away from structure fast. Use a two-hook rig with squid strips and keep constant pressure - they'll wrap you up in the wreck if you give them slack.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted weakfish are aggressive hunters that'll give you a solid fight on light tackle. These silver beauties average 12-16 inches but can push 17 pounds in our waters. You'll find them around grass beds, sandy bottoms, and near structure in 10-30 feet of water during summer months. They're ambush predators with big canine teeth, perfect for grabbing baitfish and shrimp. What guests love is their willingness to hit lures and their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or baked. They hunt from bottom to surface, so you don't need heavy weights. Best action happens early morning and late evening when they're actively feeding. Here's a local secret: retrieve your lure slowly until you see them following, then speed up like the bait's fleeing. That triggers their strike instinct and they'll hammer it hard.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of camouflage - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms where they ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some real doormat-sized fish pushing 26 pounds around our wrecks and reefs. They're scattered from the shallows out to 120 feet, lying in wait on structure edges and sandy patches. Late summer through fall is prime time when they're feeding heavy before their offshore spawn. What makes them special is the challenge - you need to feel that subtle pickup when they mouth your bait sideways. Plus, they're hard to beat on the dinner table. My go-to trick? Use a bucktail with a strip of squid or fluke belly, and keep it moving just off the bottom. When you feel that tap, count to three before setting the hook - they bite sideways and need time to turn the bait.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, or "blackfish," are the bulldogs of our rocky structure - thick, powerful fish that'll test your tackle around wrecks and jetties. Most weigh 1-3 pounds, but we get some real bruisers over 10 pounds hiding in the deepest rocks. They love complex structure like our offshore wrecks where they crush crabs, mussels, and barnacles with those powerful jaws. Spring through early fall is prime time before they head deeper for winter. What makes them special is the challenge - they're smart, structure-oriented fish that require skill to hook and muscle to land. Plus, they're phenomenal eating with firm, sweet meat. Here's the key: use green crabs, crush up some shells around your fishing spot to create scent, and change your bait every 5 minutes. When you feel that subtle tap, set the hook immediately - they'll spit it fast.
Atlantic City