Half Day Advanced Fishing Trip In Wildwood, NJ
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning departure targeting multiple inshore speciesAdvanced techniques for Bonito, Bass, Bluefish, and FlounderSixguest capacity with all gear and licenses included
When you want serious fishing without burning the whole day, this half-day trip out of Wildwood delivers exactly what experienced anglers are looking for. Captain Joseph knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's not messing around when it comes to putting you on fish. We're talking a focused 2-3 hours of prime fishing time after the run to the grounds, which means you're maximizing every minute on productive water. This isn't a hand-holding beginner trip – it's designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to test their skills against some of the Atlantic's most challenging species.
The 8:00 AM departure gets you out there right when the bite is hot. Captain Joseph runs a tight ship on the 30-foot Island Hopper Pilothouse, which gives all six anglers plenty of elbow room to work their techniques without crowding each other. You'll be switching between trolling runs for the speed demons like Bonito and Spanish Mackerel, then dropping down to work the bottom structure for Seabass and Flounder. The captain reads the water conditions and fish activity to decide which approach will produce the best action on any given day. Some mornings you might spend more time trolling if the pelagics are running hot, other days you'll focus on bottom structure if that's where the fish are stacked up. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility to adapt to what the ocean is giving you.
This trip runs the full spectrum of inshore techniques, and you'll need to stay sharp to keep up. When we're trolling, we're pulling a spread of lures and baits at varying speeds and depths to target different species in the water column. Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish love fast-moving presentations, while Bonito require specific lure colors and speeds that mimic their preferred baitfish. The captain provides all the tackle, but experienced anglers often appreciate the quality gear setup – we're talking sturdy conventional reels spooled with appropriate line weights and terminal tackle that can handle whatever hits. When it's time to switch to bottom fishing, you'll be working with circle hooks and sinkers sized for the current and depth. Reading your rod tip becomes crucial here – you need to distinguish between current movement, crab picks, and the solid thump of a keeper Seabass or the subtle tap of a Flounder mouthing your bait.
The Spanish Mackerel run has been absolutely phenomenal this year, especially during the early morning hours when this trip hits the water. These fish are pure speed and aggression – they'll slam a trolled spoon or small tube lure with enough force to nearly rip the rod from your hands. Most of the Mackerel we're seeing are running 2-3 pounds, which might not sound huge, but when they're screaming drag off a light tackle setup, they'll give you a fight you won't forget. They school up tight, so when you hook one, be ready for multiple hookups across the boat. Bluefish have been staging in good numbers too, particularly the 3-7 pound "snappers" that are perfect eating size. These guys are notorious for their sharp teeth and aggressive strikes – they'll attack anything that moves and fight dirty all the way to the boat.
Atlantic Bonito are the premium target on this trip, and for good reason. These fish are basically small tunas, built for speed and endurance. They typically show up in our waters from late summer through early fall, following schools of sand eels and silversides. Bonito average 3-6 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, making long runs and testing your drag system. They're extremely line-shy, so presentations need to be perfect – the wrong lure color or trolling speed will have them following but not committing. When you do hook one, the fight is pure electricity.
Black Seabass are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing, and the Wildwood area has some fantastic structure that holds quality fish. These guys are smart – they'll inspect your bait carefully before committing, and they know every hiding spot on the bottom. The keeper-size fish (15 inches minimum) typically weigh 2-4 pounds and are absolute table fare gold. They're most active during the warmer months when they move into shallower water to spawn. The key is getting your bait right to the bottom and keeping it there despite the current.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are the ultimate challenge for bottom fishermen. These ambush predators lie buried in the sand waiting for an easy meal to swim by. They can be incredibly picky eaters one day and absolutely savage the next. The larger "doormat" fluke over 5 pounds are the holy grail – they require perfect bait presentation and quick hook-sets since they're notorious for short strikes. Fluke fishing is all about location and patience, and Captain Joseph knows exactly where these fish stage up during different tide phases.
Spanish Mackerel bring non-stop action when they're running. These fish travel in large schools and feed aggressively on small baitfish. They're perfect for light tackle fishing, typically weighing 1-3 pounds but making up for size with pure attitude. They hit fast and fight fast, often jumping and making short, powerful runs. The great thing about Mackerel is when you find one school, you've usually found dinner – they travel in groups and compete with each other for food, making them less cautious than other species.
This half-day advanced trip fills up fast because it hits the sweet spot for serious anglers – enough time to get into quality fish without committing your entire day. Captain Joseph's reputation for putting experienced fishermen on consistent action speaks for itself,
The Coastal Voyager is your ticket to productive inshore waters off Wildwood. This 30-foot Island Hopper Pilothouse cuts through Jersey waters with a reliable 330HP Cummins engine, cruising comfortably at 20 knots to get you to the fish fast. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with everything you need – GPS to mark hot spots, radar for those foggy mornings, fish finder to locate schools, and VHF radio for safety. The spacious pilothouse gives all 6 anglers room to work lines without bumping elbows, whether you're trolling for bonito and mackerel or dropping bottom rigs for seabass. Captain Joseph knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this boat gets you there ready to fish. Plus there's a head onboard for those longer runs. Perfect for experienced crews who want to focus on technique and bring home dinner.
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are pure adrenaline - torpedo-shaped members of the tuna family that can hit 40 mph when they're on the hunt. Most run 3-8 pounds and 18-24 inches, with silver bodies marked by dark diagonal stripes. They show up in large schools from late summer through fall, usually in 30-100+ feet of water chasing baitfish. What gets anglers fired up is the visual fishing - you can see them feeding on the surface with birds diving overhead. They pull hard and make long runs on light tackle. While they're not great eating in the US, the sport is what counts. When you find a feeding school, work fast with small metal jigs or trolling spoons - they'll hit anything moving but the bite can shut off quickly when they move on.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing - chunky, hard-fighting fish that love hanging around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom. Most run 1-3 pounds and 12-16 inches, but keeper-size fish (15+ inches) put up a solid fight. They're structure-oriented fish, so we target them around jetties, artificial reefs, and offshore wrecks in 30-80 feet of water. Peak season runs May through December when they move inshore. Anglers love them because they're steady biters, fun to catch, and make outstanding table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. Here's the trick: use a two-hook rig with squid or clam strips, but keep your bait right on the bottom. They're not shy, but they want that bait sitting where they live.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are the pit bulls of our waters - aggressive feeders with razor-sharp teeth that'll take your finger off if you're not careful. They range from snapper-size up to 10+ pounders, with most falling in the 3-5 pound range. Blues show up from late spring through fall, traveling in schools that can stretch for miles. They're found everywhere from the surf to deeper offshore waters, but we catch plenty in 20-60 feet around structure. What draws people to them is the non-stop action - when you find a school feeding, it's game on. They fight hard and are decent table fare when fresh, though smaller ones taste better. Key tip: when they're in a feeding frenzy, almost anything works, but cut bait or metal spoons are money. Just keep your hands away from those teeth!
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are built for speed - sleek, silver fish with yellowish spots that can hit 18 mph when chasing baitfish. Around here, they typically run 1-3 pounds and 12-20 inches, though bigger ones show up. You'll find them in schools near the surface during warmer months from late spring through fall, often around structure or following bait schools. They love our inshore waters when the temperature's right. What makes them popular is the combination of fast action and great eating - their meat is mild, flaky, and perfect for the grill. They hit hard and make good runs, so light tackle keeps it fun. Pro tip: when trolling, use small spoons or feathers and watch for diving birds - that's usually where the Spanish are feeding.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder, or "fluke," are the masters of disguise - flat fish that lie buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. They're famous for their doormat-sized potential, with most running 16-20 inches, but true doormats can hit 5+ pounds. You'll find them on sandy and muddy bottoms in 15-50 feet, especially around channel edges and structure transitions. They're most active from May through October when they're inshore feeding. What makes them special is the challenge - they're picky eaters and the fight is different, more of a head-shaking battle. Plus, they're top-shelf eating. The secret is drift fishing with live bait like killifish or squid strips, keeping your bait moving just off the bottom. Patience pays off - let them run with it before setting the hook.
Wildwood, NJ