New Jersey Inshore Fishing for Beginners
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Beginnerfriendly inshore charters targeting Striper, Bass, and FlukeAll equipment, bait, licenses, and catch cleaning includedSmall groups up to six guests on 48 hour trips
Looking to get your feet wet in the world of saltwater fishing? Smokin Reel Charters runs some of the most beginner-friendly inshore trips along the New Jersey coast, and trust me, you're in for a treat. These waters are loaded with fish year-round, and Captain knows exactly where to put you on the action. Whether you've never held a rod before or just want a laid-back day on the water, this charter takes all the guesswork out of fishing so you can focus on what matters - having a blast and hopefully filling the cooler.
Your day starts bright and early at the marina, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on the game plan. These trips run anywhere from 4 to 8 hours depending on what you're after and how the bite is going. With just six anglers max, you're not fighting for rod space or competing with a crowd - it's more like fishing with friends who happen to know all the best spots. The boat comes stocked with everything you need: rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license. All you need to bring is yourself, some snacks, drinks, and maybe a cooler if you want to keep your catch extra fresh. The captain handles the dirty work too - cleaning and packaging your fish so you can head home with restaurant-quality fillets ready for the grill.
New Jersey's inshore waters are a goldmine for bottom fishing and light tackle action. You'll be working depths anywhere from 15 to 60 feet, targeting structure like wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom where the fish love to hang out. The captain sets you up with circle hooks and fresh bait - usually squid, clams, or chunks of bunker depending on what's working that day. For stripers, you might throw some live eels or work bucktails around the structure. Fluke fishing means bouncing jigs and gulp baits along the sandy bottom, feeling for that telltale thump when a doormat grabs your offering. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety - one minute you're battling a scrappy sea bass, the next you're cranking up a keeper fluke or feeling the powerful runs of a striped bass. The captain reads the water, checks the tide charts, and puts you on the fish while teaching you the basics of reading your rod tip and setting the hook properly.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of New Jersey inshore fishing, and these waters produce some serious cows. These fish are most active during the spring and fall migrations when they're feeding heavily on bunker, herring, and eels. A keeper striper starts at 28 inches, but the real excitement comes when you hook into a 30-40 inch bass that'll test your drag and give you an arm workout you won't forget. They're smart, strong, and absolutely delicious on the dinner table.
Black sea bass might be smaller, but pound for pound they're some of the scrappiest fighters in these waters. These bottom dwellers love hanging around structure and are pretty cooperative once you find them. Most run 1-3 pounds, but the bigger ones will surprise you with how hard they pull. They're also one of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a simple pan sear.
Summer flounder, or fluke as the locals call them, are the flatfish that drive anglers crazy in the best possible way. They're masters of camouflage, lying in the sand waiting to ambush baitfish. When they hit your jig, it feels like you snagged bottom until they start shaking their heads and making those classic fluke runs. Keeper size is 18 inches, but the doormat fluke over 5 pounds are what dreams are made of. Their mild, sweet meat makes them a favorite at the fish market.
Bluefish are the aggressive predators that'll hit just about anything you throw at them when they're in a feeding frenzy. These toothy critters travel in schools and can turn a quiet day into absolute chaos when they show up. They're fantastic fighters and excellent smoked or grilled fresh, though their meat is best when bled and iced immediately.
Scup, also known as porgy, are the smaller cousins of sea bass but equally fun on light tackle. They're abundant, cooperative, and perfect for beginners to practice their technique. While they might not win any size contests, they're scrappy little fighters and make excellent table fare when prepared right.
This top-rated charter fills up fast, especially during prime fishing season when the bite is hot and the weather's cooperating. The captain's reputation for putting beginners on fish while keeping things relaxed and educational makes this a customer favorite among families and first-timers. You're not just paying for a boat ride - you're getting a crash course in New Jersey inshore fishing from someone who knows these waters like the back of their hand. The fact that everything's included, from gear to cleaning services, means you can show up empty-handed and leave with a cooler full of fresh fillets and stories that'll last a lifetime. Don't wait until the last minute to secure your spot - the best fishing days book up weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the trip that gets you hooked on saltwater fishing for good.
Your fishing platform for New Jersey's inshore waters is a well-equipped motorboat built for comfort and success on the water. This vessel handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to work the rails while targeting stripers, black sea bass, and fluke in local hotspots. The flybridge gives your captain excellent visibility to spot feeding fish and navigate shallow waters, while the fish finder pinpoints schools below. A wireless trolling motor lets you approach skittish fish without engine noise spooking them away. Between fishing action, you'll appreciate the onboard kitchen for snacks, refrigerator to keep drinks cold, and proper restroom facilities. The GPS ensures efficient travel to productive fishing grounds, and there's even a bed if someone needs to rest during longer trips. All the creature comforts are covered so you can focus on learning techniques and landing fish in New Jersey's productive inshore waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, hard-fighting bottom dwellers that run 1-4 pounds on average, though we catch some pushing 6-7 pounds around deeper structure. These dark, spotted fish love hanging around wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 20-80 feet of water. Late spring through fall is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What makes them special is their scrappy fight - they'll dive straight for cover when hooked. Plus, sea bass are hands-down one of the best eating fish in our waters, with sweet, white, flaky meat that's perfect for beginners to clean and cook. They're also great for kids since they bite readily on simple bottom rigs. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and reel fast - don't give them a chance to get back into the rocks or you'll lose them every time.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in New Jersey waters from late spring through fall, typically running 2-8 pounds with some reaching 15+ pounds. These blue-green fighters have razor-sharp teeth and hunt in schools, often creating feeding frenzies near the surface. You'll find them around bait schools, jetties, and inlet mouths where they ambush smaller fish like bunker and spearing. Summer and early fall offer the best action when they're actively feeding close to shore. Guests love bluefish because they hit hard, fight strong, and make excellent table fare when prepared fresh - though smaller ones under 5 pounds taste best. The meat is rich and flaky with a distinctive flavor. Pro tip: when you see birds diving and water churning, get there fast - that's a bluefish blitz in action, and they'll hit anything you throw at them.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgies, are silver-sided bottom feeders with compressed bodies that typically run 8-14 inches and up to 2 pounds. Don't let their size fool you - these feisty fish fight hard for their weight and are incredibly fun on light tackle. They hang around rocky bottom, wrecks, and pilings in 15-60 feet, feeding on crabs, worms, and shellfish with their strong jaws. Late spring through early fall is prime time when they move inshore. Scup are fantastic for beginners and kids because they bite readily and are easy to catch on simple bottom rigs with squid or clam. Plus, they're surprisingly good eating with sweet, white meat similar to their porgy cousins. The trick with scup is using small hooks - they have tiny mouths, so downsize to #4 or #6 hooks and use small pieces of bait. They'll often bite while you're targeting other species.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of our inshore waters, with those distinctive black stripes running down silver sides. School fish typically range 20-30 inches, but we catch keepers up to 40+ inches weighing 20-40 pounds. These structure-loving fish cruise around jetties, bridges, rip lines, and shallow flats chasing bait. Spring and fall migrations offer peak action, though we catch them year-round. What sets stripers apart is their powerful runs and head-shaking fights - they're smart fish that test your drag. The meat is excellent eating with firm, white flesh that's perfect grilled or baked. They're also great for catch-and-release since larger breeders are crucial for the fishery. Best advice: when fishing live eels or bunker around structure at dawn or dusk, let them run with the bait for a few seconds before setting the hook. Stripers often grab bait sideways first.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the ultimate chameleons of our sandy bottoms - flat, brown fish that can change color to match their surroundings. Most run 16-22 inches and 2-5 pounds, but we regularly see "doormat" fluke over 8 pounds. They lie buried in sand waiting to ambush baitfish, so look for them on sandy flats, channel edges, and around structure transitions in 15-50 feet. May through October is prime season, with fall producing the biggest fish as they fatten up before heading offshore. Fluke are prized for their excellent white meat and the challenge of their light bite - you need to feel for that subtle tap. They're perfect for teaching patience and bottom fishing technique. My go-to tip: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid or spearing, and keep it moving with slow lifts and drops. Fluke rarely hit stationary baits, so keep that jig dancing just off the bottom.
Neptune City, NJ