Somers Point Wreck Fishing Charter Adventures
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
5hour private charter targets wrecks up to 20 miles offshoreOperates June through September with 7:30 AM departure timesAccommodates up to 6 guests for wreck and bottom fishing
If you're looking for some serious bottom action off the Jersey coast, Shore Thing Charters has got you covered. Our 5-hour private wreck fishing trips take you up to 20 miles offshore from Somers Point, where the real fish hang out around sunken structures and rocky bottom. Running from June through September when the bite is hottest, these morning trips kick off at 7:30 AM and give you plenty of time to fill the cooler. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who lives for the bend of a rod, our wreck fishing charters deliver the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your day starts early at our Somers Point dock, where Captain and crew will get you rigged up and ready to fish. We'll cruise out to productive wreck sites and reef structures that hold some of New Jersey's best bottom fish. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, so you'll have plenty of elbow room to work your tackle without bumping into your buddy. These aren't your typical inshore party boat crowds - this is intimate fishing where everyone gets personal attention and prime fishing spots. The waters off Somers Point are loaded with artificial reefs and natural wrecks that create perfect habitat for flounder, sea bass, tautog, and weakfish. You'll be fishing in 40 to 80 feet of water mostly, though we might venture deeper if the fish are calling from the far wrecks.
Wreck fishing is all about getting your bait down to where the fish live and keeping it there. We'll set you up with conventional tackle - usually 6 to 7-foot rods matched with reels that can handle 20 to 30-pound test line. The key is using enough sinker weight to reach bottom quickly and hold position in the current. We typically fish with bank sinkers from 4 to 8 ounces depending on conditions, rigged above a 3-foot fluorocarbon leader. Fresh bait is king out here - squid strips, sea clams, and sandworms are your go-to offerings for most species. The trick is reading your rod tip and feeling when fish are pecking at your bait versus when you're just bouncing off the wreck structure. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing - our crew will show you how to work the bottom effectively and avoid losing too much tackle to the wreck itself.
Summer Flounder are the bread and butter of our wreck trips during peak season. These flatfish can run anywhere from keeper size at 18 inches up to doormat proportions pushing 8 or 9 pounds. Fluke are ambush predators that bury themselves in the sand around wreck edges, waiting to pounce on baitfish and crabs. They're most active during moving water, so we time our trips around the tide changes when these fish feed heaviest. What makes flounder so popular is their willingness to bite and their incredible table fare - there's nothing better than fresh fluke fillets after a day on the water.
Spotted Weakfish bring a different kind of fight to your rod with their soft mouths and strong runs. Also called speckled trout, these silver bullets typically range from 2 to 6 pounds in our local waters, though bigger specimens show up during peak summer months. Weakfish are schooling fish, so when you find them, you often find them in numbers. They're particularly active around dawn and dusk, which is why our early morning departure time puts you right in the strike zone. The key to landing weakfish is keeping steady pressure without horsing them - their papery mouths tear easily if you get too aggressive with the hookset.
Tautog, or blackfish as locals call them, are the bulldogs of the wreck fishing world. These chunky bottom dwellers have powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish and crabs around rocky structure. Tog fishing requires patience and finesse - they're notorious bait stealers who can clean your hook without you feeling a thing. When you do connect with a solid blackfish, expect a straight-down fight as they try to wrap your line around the nearest piece of wreck structure. Most of our tautog run 2 to 5 pounds, but double-digit fish are always a possibility around the deeper wrecks.
Black Sea Bass round out our target species list and provide consistent action throughout the summer months. These aggressive bottom feeders rarely turn down a well-presented bait and fight harder than their size suggests. Sea bass are structure-oriented fish that rarely stray far from their home wreck or reef. They're also one of the more cooperative species when it comes to photos - their spiny dorsal fins and mottled coloration make for great grip-and-grin shots. Most sea bass in our area range from 1 to 3 pounds, with larger specimens becoming more common as you move to the offshore wrecks.
Shore Thing Charters operates these wreck fishing trips during the prime summer season when water temperatures and fish activity peak. Our 5-hour private charters give you the flexibility to fish at your own pace without dealing with crowded party boats or rushed fishing schedules. The early morning start time puts you on the wrecks when fish are most active, and you'll be back at the dock by early afternoon with time to clean your catch and plan your fish dinner. Remember to bring your New Jersey fishing license, sunscreen, and plenty of water - we provide all the tackle and bait you'll need. These private charters book up quickly during peak summer weekends, so don't wait until the last minute to reserve your spot for what could be your best fishing day of the season.
Our 27' World Cat catamaran cuts through 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 fluke, sea bass, and blackfish around sunken structures. The spacious deck gives all six anglers room to work without tangling lines. Built-in fish finder pinpoints schools hiding in the wreckage below, while GPS keeps us locked on productive spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 5-hour adventure. Complete with radar for morning fog, onboard toilet, and plenty of rod storage. Perfect for serious bottom fishing where New Jersey's underwater graveyards hold the biggest fish.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, aggressive bottom fish that make up the backbone of our wreck fishing. Most run 1-3 pounds with the occasional 5+ pounder showing up around deeper structure. They're dark colored with white markings and the big breeding males turn brilliant blue. You'll find them around any hard bottom - wrecks, reefs, and rocky areas in 30-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and feed. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and decent fight, plus they're excellent table fare with firm white meat. They'll hit just about anything - squid strips, clams, jigs, even small plugs. Here's the deal: once you hook one, get it up and away from the wreck fast or it'll cut you off in the structure. Use a high-low rig with squid and you'll usually get doubles and triples when you find a school.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted weakfish, or "specks" as locals call them, are beautiful silver fish with distinctive dark spots along their sides. They're part of the drum family and make that telltale croaking sound when you bring them up. Most fish we catch run 12-16 inches, though they can reach well over 20. You'll find them in shallow waters around grass beds, sandy flats, and near structure where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Summer months are prime time when they move into our bays and estuaries. What makes them special is their aggressive strike - they'll absolutely crush a lure when they're feeding. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: use light tackle and colorful jigs or soft plastics. Keep your retrieve slow and steady until you see them following, then speed up slightly to trigger that strike. Their mouths are soft, so keep steady pressure and don't horse them.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are fascinating flatfish that live on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. Most run 15-20 inches, but you'll occasionally hook into bigger ones pushing 5+ pounds. They're masters of camouflage, changing colors to match the seafloor while waiting to ambush baitfish. We find them around wrecks and structure in 20-80 feet of water. Peak season here is late summer through fall when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. Anglers love them for their strong initial runs and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid or spearing, and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that telltale tap, count to three before setting the hook - fluke need time to turn the bait around and swallow it properly.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, or "blackfish," are tough customers that live around rocky structure and wrecks. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically run 2-4 pounds, but the big males can push 8+ pounds and develop that distinctive hump on their heads. They've got powerful jaws designed for crushing crabs and mussels, which makes them serious fighters once hooked. You'll find them tight to bottom structure - jetties, boulder fields, and artificial reefs in 15-60 feet. Spring and fall are best when they're actively feeding before winter. Anglers love the challenge because they're smart and structure-oriented, plus they're some of the best eating fish in our waters. The key is using green crabs for bait - break off the claws and legs, then hook the body through the side. Fish right in the rocks where you'll lose some tackle, but that's where the fish live. Set the hook hard and pull them away from structure immediately.
Atlantic City