World Class Private Bottom Fishing Charters in Highlands
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
7hour private bottom fishing accommodates up to 6 anglersTarget seabass, fluke, porgy, triggerfish along New Jersey coastAll gear included with experienced Captain Jerry guidance
If you're looking for a solid day of bottom fishing off the New Jersey coast, Captain Jerry's got you covered. This 7-hour private charter targets the productive waters around Highlands, where the mix of nearshore structure and deeper offshore drops consistently holds fish throughout the summer and fall. You'll be fishing from 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM, giving you plenty of time to work different spots and put together a cooler full of keeper fish. With room for up to 6 anglers, it's perfect for families, groups of friends, or anyone who wants to avoid the crowded party boats and fish at their own pace.
Captain Jerry runs a no-nonsense operation that focuses on putting fish in the boat. The 7-hour window gives you real flexibility to chase the bite wherever it's happening that day. Some mornings you'll start on the nearshore wrecks and rockpiles in 40-60 feet of water, while other days call for a run to the deeper structure in 80-120 feet where the bigger fish tend to hold. The beauty of a private charter is adapting to conditions and what's biting best. Jerry's been working these waters for years and knows exactly where to find productive bottom throughout the season. All your tackle, bait, and gear comes included, so you just need to bring drinks, snacks, and maybe a cooler with ice if you want to take your catch home. The season runs from June 18th through October 1st, covering the prime months when bottom species are most active and feeding heavily.
Bottom fishing off Highlands is all about reading the structure and presenting baits where fish expect to find them. You'll be working with conventional tackle - typically 6-7 foot rods paired with reels loaded with 30-50 pound braid, depending on the depth and current. The standard rig is a high-low setup with circle hooks, though Jerry will switch to different presentations based on what's working. Squid, clams, and sea worms are the go-to baits, with fresh bunker chunks coming into play when targeting bigger sea bass and blackfish. The key is getting your weight right for the current and keeping steady contact with the bottom. Jerry will position the boat over wrecks, reefs, and ledges where fish congregate, using his electronics to mark schools and structure. Expect to drift these spots methodically, working every piece of productive bottom. When the current's running hard, you might need 8-12 ounces to stay down, but lighter weights work better when conditions are more favorable.
Summer flounder, or fluke as most anglers call them, are the bread and butter of this fishery from June through September. These flatfish can range anywhere from schoolie keeper size around 19 inches up to doormat fluke pushing 5-8 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottom near structure, waiting to grab unsuspecting baitfish swimming by. What makes fluke so popular with anglers is their fight - they pull hard and shake their heads violently when hooked. Plus, they're absolutely delicious table fare. The best fluke action typically happens during the moving tides when these fish are most actively feeding.
Black sea bass are another customer favorite, especially during the summer months when they're concentrated on the nearshore wrecks and rocky bottom. These chunky fish average 1-3 pounds but can reach 5+ pounds on a good day. Sea bass are aggressive feeders that will hit just about any bait dropped in front of them, making them perfect for keeping kids and novice anglers busy. They have a distinctive appearance with their mottled coloring and spiny dorsal fins, and they're considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean. The bonus with sea bass is they often school up in good numbers, so when you find them, you can usually catch several before they move on.
Scup, also known as porgy, are the perfect action fish when you want steady bites and full coolers. These silver-sided fish rarely exceed 2 pounds, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and willingness to bite. Scup are particularly active from July through early fall, and they're excellent for introducing new anglers to bottom fishing since they bite aggressively and fight well for their size. They school heavily around structure and will often compete with each other for baits, leading to double and triple hookups. While they're smaller than fluke or sea bass, scup are underrated table fare when prepared properly.
This type of private bottom fishing experience books up quickly during peak season, especially for weekend trips. The flexibility to fish your own schedule, combined with Captain Jerry's local knowledge and years of experience, makes this a top-rated charter option along the New Jersey coast. You get the full 7 hours to work different spots, techniques, and target whatever species are biting best that day. The free cancellation policy with 3 days notice takes the pressure off planning around weather, though keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to put together a memorable trip with friends or a family wanting to introduce kids to offshore fishing, this charter delivers consistent action and plenty of opportunities to learn from one of the area's most experienced captains.
Captain Jerry's 38' Topaz is built for serious bottom fishing along the New Jersey coast. This spacious boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with a wide beam and roomy cockpit that keeps you protected from whatever Mother Nature throws at you. The onboard A/C means you'll stay cool during those hot summer days targeting seabass and fluke, while the full-size bathroom and kitchen make those 7-hour trips feel like home. Powerful engines get you to the productive fishing grounds fast, leaving more time with lines in the water. The fish finder and GPS help locate the best structure where porgy, triggerfish, and blackfish hang out. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox and your beverages cold in the refrigerator. When the bite slows down, relax with the multimedia system or grab some rest on the bed. With radar for those foggy mornings and all fishing gear provided, you just need to bring snacks and drinks for a comfortable day chasing big fish.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are some of our most dependable bottom dwellers and excellent eating fish. These chunky, dark-colored members of the grouper family typically run 1-3 pounds, with the occasional 5+ pounder showing up around deeper wrecks. They're homebodies that stick close to structure - jetties, wrecks, rocky bottom, and artificial reefs in 30-100 feet of water. Late spring through fall is prime time when they move inshore. What guests love about sea bass is their aggressive nature and strong fight for their size. They'll grab almost any bait and head straight for cover. The meat is firm and white, perfect for any cooking method. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and pump it up fast. They'll try to wrap you around every piece of structure down there, so don't give them time to think about it.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, also called porgy, are one of our most reliable summer catches. These silver-scaled fighters average 10-14 inches and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. You'll find them around rocky structure, wrecks, and pilings from late spring through early fall when water temps warm up. They're bottom feeders with strong jaws built for crushing shells, so they hit hard and hold tight. Guests love targeting scup because they're plentiful, cooperative, and make outstanding table fare - sweet, white meat that's perfect for the grill. They also make prime live bait for bigger gamefish like stripers. The key to catching more scup is keeping your bait right on the bottom. Use small hooks with squid or clam, and when you feel that steady pull, set the hook quick. They've got small mouths but they're determined fighters.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the flatfish everyone wants to catch around here. These masters of camouflage lie on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side, waiting to ambush baitfish. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see plenty of "doormat" sized fish pushing 4-6 pounds during peak season. They're active from late spring through fall, with September and October being prime time when they fatten up before heading offshore. Fluke love structure - wrecks, drop-offs, and channel edges in 20-80 feet of water. What makes them special is their aggressive strike and excellent table fare. The white, flaky meat is restaurant quality. My go-to tip: use a long leader with your bucktail and strip bait. Let it flutter down naturally - that's when they hit hardest.
Highlands, NJ