5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Afternoon Fishing Trip in Wildwood, NJ
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon fishing trip departing 1:00 PM from WildwoodTarget Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, and Summer Flounder inshoreAll gear and licenses included aboard 30foot vessel
Looking for a solid afternoon on the water without committing to a full day? This half-day charter out of Wildwood puts you right where the action is. Captain Joseph runs a tight ship aboard his 30-foot Island Hopper Pilothouse, and with space for up to 6 anglers, you're getting personal attention without feeling crowded. The 1 PM departure gives you time to sleep in or grab lunch before heading out, and four hours on the water means you'll get your money's worth of fishing time. Whether you're a local looking to wet a line after work or visiting the Jersey Shore for the weekend, this trip delivers consistent action on some of the area's most popular inshore species.
Once you step aboard at 1 PM, Captain Joseph will brief you on the day's game plan based on current conditions and what's been biting. The run to the fishing grounds takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on where the fish are holding. This isn't wasted time – it's when you'll get your tackle sorted, hear about what techniques you'll be using, and get the inside scoop on what's been working lately. The boat handles the Atlantic chop well, so even if it's a little bumpy, you'll be comfortable. With 2-3 solid hours of fishing time, there's plenty of opportunity to put multiple species in the cooler. All your gear and fishing licenses are included, so you can focus on what matters – getting fish to the boat.
This trip covers two main fishing styles that work best in Wildwood's inshore waters. When targeting pelagics like Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, and Atlantic Bonito, you'll be trolling with small spoons, Clark spoons, or surgical tube rigs behind planer boards or downriggers. The key is covering water and keeping your baits moving at the right speed – usually 4-6 knots depending on what you're after. For bottom fishing, you'll drop down with high-low rigs loaded with squid, clams, or fresh cut bait to target Black Sea Bass and Summer Flounder around structure. Captain Joseph knows the local wrecks, reefs, and drop-offs where these fish congregate, and he's got the electronics to put you right on the money. The tackle is sized appropriately for the target species – medium spinning gear for the trolling action and conventional reels with enough backbone for pulling bass off the bottom.
"What could have been a mediocre day was anything but that! Just before our scheduled arrival, Capt Nick let us know the morning trip hadn't yielded much and the water conditions were less than perfect - he left it up to us whether we'd like to do the trip or not. We decided to roll the dice and go for it - and we're happy we did! Capt Nick and Brian were both personable and knowledgable - answering all the questions we asked and sharing some great stories along the way - we even got to share a great dolphin story we heard. Onto the fishing! With no guarantees and the warning that morning run wasn't very fruitful, we prepared ourselves to not catch much. But we sat out there enjoying the water and sharing some laughs until, suddenly, we got a bite! There were three of us on the trip and we each had the opportunity to reel in a shark. I'm no expert at all - but they were saying each one was probably around 150 - 200 pounds! We had an absolutely wonderful day on the water and each of us now has a new and exciting fishing story to tell our friends - with pictures to prove it! Highly recommend - 5 stars - would do this again!" - Maria
Spanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fighters that show up in good numbers from late spring through early fall around Wildwood. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and hit trolled baits with authority. They're perfect for light tackle action, and their razor-sharp teeth mean you'll want wire leaders. What makes them special is their willingness to bite – when you find a school, it's common to hook doubles and triples. They're also excellent table fare when kept on ice, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Bluefish are the backbone of Wildwood's inshore fishing scene. These aggressive predators range from "snapper" blues under a pound to mature fish pushing 15+ pounds. They're notorious for their chompers and fighting ability, often jumping and tail-walking when hooked. Blues are most active during dawn and dusk feeding periods, but afternoon trips can still produce solid action, especially when baitfish are thick. They'll hit everything from metal jigs to live bait, making them a reliable target for mixed-bag trips.
Black Sea Bass are the bread and butter of bottom fishing around Wildwood's structure. These stocky fighters typically range from keeper size at 15 inches up to trophy fish over 5 pounds. They're structure-oriented, living around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom where they ambush crabs and small fish. What anglers love about sea bass is their reliability – when you find good bottom, there are usually fish around. They're also among the best eating fish in the Atlantic, with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat.
Summer Flounder, or fluke, are the ultimate challenge for bottom fishermen. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and can be finicky about what they'll eat. The action typically heats up in late spring and stays strong through early fall. Keeper fluke start at 18 inches in New Jersey waters, but the real prizes are the "doormat" fish over 5 pounds. They require patience and skill to hook consistently, as they often mouth baits before committing. The reward is some of the finest eating fish in the ocean and bragging rights that
Captain Joseph's 30-foot Island Hopper Pilothouse is your ticket to productive afternoon fishing off Wildwood's coast. Built in 2002, this reliable workhorse handles New Jersey's inshore waters with ease, powered by a robust 330HP Cummins engine that'll get you to the fishing grounds quickly and back safely. The pilothouse design keeps you comfortable whether you're trolling for Spanish Mackerel and Bonito or dropping lines for Black Seabass and Summer Flounder. With space for 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work without bumping elbows. The boat comes loaded with everything serious fishermen need – GPS to mark those hot spots, radar for safety, VHF radio for communication, and fish finder technology to locate schools. Plus there's an onboard head for convenience during those longer battles with fish. At 20 knots max speed, you'll spend less time traveling and more time with lines in the water, making the most of your 4-hour afternoon adventure.
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are the speedsters of our local waters, resembling small tuna with dark stripes and typically weighing 3-8 pounds. These surface feeders travel in large schools, often showing their dorsal fins above water as they chase baitfish at incredible speeds up to 40 mph. They show up from late spring through fall when water temps are in the 60s and 70s, usually in 30-100 feet of open water. Anglers love their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag and reflexes like few other fish. While not great table fare here, they're pure sport and often lead you to bigger gamefish. Watch for diving birds to locate feeding schools, then troll small spoons or throw anything flashy into the action - when they're feeding, they'll hit almost any lure you throw at them, making for fast-paced action.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, hard-fighting bottom dwellers that average 1-3 pounds, with larger males showing off bright blue colors during spawning season. They love hanging around wrecks, reefs, and rocky structure in 30-120 feet of water, where they ambush crabs, squid, and small fish. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What guests really enjoy is their scrappy fight and the fact they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. These fish are curious and will often follow your bait up before striking. My go-to tip: use a double-hook rig with squid or clam, but keep it moving slightly off the bottom - they like to see some action and will often hit on the drop.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that typically weigh 2-8 pounds in our waters, known for their sharp teeth and fierce feeding frenzies. They travel in schools and hunt everything from menhaden to squid, often churning the water white when they're feeding. You'll find them from the surf zone out to about 100 feet, especially around bait schools and structure during summer and fall. Anglers love them because they fight hard and hit almost anything when they're feeding - plus smaller "snappers" are great for kids to catch. The meat is excellent when fresh, especially fish under 5 pounds. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds working the surface, get there fast and throw anything shiny - spoons, poppers, or even bare hooks will work when they're in a feeding blitz.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are sleek, fast-moving fish that typically run 1-3 pounds around here, with their distinctive yellow spots and razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them in schools near the surface during warmer months, especially late spring through early fall when water temps hit the 70s. They love chasing bait around structure and drop-offs in 20-60 feet of water. What makes them popular is their aggressive strikes and tasty, mild white meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. These speed demons can hit 25+ mph, so they'll give your drag a workout. Pro tip: when trolling for them, use small spoons or Clark rigs with a strip of squid - the flash and scent combo is deadly, and don't set the hook too hard or you'll pull it right out of their soft mouths.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder, or "fluke," are flatfish that can surprise you with their size - most run 2-5 pounds, but doormat-sized fish over 8 pounds show up regularly. They're masters of camouflage, lying on sandy or muddy bottoms in 15-80 feet waiting to ambush prey. Peak season runs May through October when they're feeding heavily before their fall migration. Guests love the challenge of feeling their subtle bites and the anticipation of not knowing if it's a small "chicken" fluke or a trophy doormat until it surfaces. The white, delicate meat is restaurant-quality and perfect for any preparation. Local secret: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid or spearing, and work it slow along the bottom with little hops - fluke will often follow it for a while before committing, so patience pays off.
5.0 out of 5.0What could have been a mediocre day was anything but that! Just before our scheduled arrival, Capt Nick let us know the morning tr...
Wildwood, NJ