Barnegat Offshore Tuna and Mahi Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 10hour offshore charter for up to 3 anglersTarget tuna, mahi, wahoo in canyons 50 miles offshoreProfessional gear provided for trolling, jigging, and spinning
When you're looking for a world-class deep sea fishing adventure along the Jersey Shore, this private charter out of Barnegat Inlet delivers exactly what serious anglers are after. Captain Tommy knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll take you and up to two fishing buddies as far as 50 miles offshore to where the real action happens. We're talking about a full 10-hour day targeting some of the most sought-after pelagic species that cruise through these productive waters. From the moment you clear the inlet, you're heading toward underwater canyons where the current breaks and baitfish stack up, creating the perfect storm for hungry predators.
This isn't your typical half-day trip close to shore. We're making a serious run to the deep water where the big fish live, and that means leaving early and staying committed to the bite. The boat is rigged and ready with top-rated professional gear, so whether you're comfortable throwing poppers, working jigs, or prefer to troll, we've got you covered. The beauty of fishing these offshore grounds is the variety – one minute you might be battling a screaming mahi on spinning gear, the next you could be locked up with a bluefin that's testing every ounce of your drag system. Between the fishing action, you'll get some pretty spectacular views of the New Jersey and New York coastlines from a perspective most people never see. The trip is designed for three anglers max, which means everyone gets plenty of room to fish and no one's fighting for rail space when the bite gets hot.
Captain Tommy runs a well-equipped operation with all the gear you need for serious offshore fishing. We'll be deploying multiple techniques depending on what we're marking on the fish finder and what species are moving through the area. Trolling is the bread and butter for covering water and locating fish – we'll pull spreads of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and lures at different depths to target everything from surface-feeding mahi to deeper-running tuna. When we find active fish, that's when things get interesting. You might find yourself casting poppers into feeding frenzies or dropping jigs down to fish we're seeing on the bottom machine. The spinning gear is perfectly matched for the species we're after, with enough backbone to handle a quality fish but still sporting enough to make the fight enjoyable. All tackle, bait, and lures are included, though you're welcome to bring your own favorite setups if you've got something special you like to throw.
The Mahi Mahi, or common dolphinfish as they're technically known, are absolute customer favorites out here, and for good reason. These fish are pure dynamite on the end of your line, with their brilliant gold and green colors and acrobatic fighting style. Mahi typically show up in our waters from late spring through fall, following the warm water and baitfish migrations. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually more around. What makes them so exciting to target is their aggressive nature – they'll hit poppers on the surface, chase down trolled baits, and even compete with each other when you've got multiple fish hooked. Size-wise, you're looking at fish anywhere from 10 pounds up to bulls pushing 40 pounds or more. The bite is often visual, with fish crashing baits on the surface or coming up behind the boat in small schools.
Little Tunny, also called false albacore or albies by most anglers, are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and your drag system. These fish are built for one thing – going fast – and they use every bit of that speed when they're hooked. They typically run smaller than their bluefin cousins, usually in the 5 to 15-pound range, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure fight. Albies are most active during the fall migration when they're feeding heavily on spearing, sand eels, and other small baitfish. They're perfect targets for light spinning gear, and there's nothing quite like the feeling of a fresh albie ripping line off your reel on its first run. These fish are also excellent table fare when handled properly, with meat that's similar to tuna but with its own distinct flavor.
Black Skipjack are the wildcards in this mix – smaller members of the tuna family that pack an impressive punch for their size. Most skipjacks you'll encounter range from 3 to 8 pounds, but they fight with the heart of much larger fish. They're incredibly fast and will make multiple runs, often jumping clear of the water in their attempts to throw the hook. Skipjacks are excellent bait for larger predators, but they're also fun targets in their own right, especially on light tackle. They're most common during the warmer months when water temperatures are in their preferred range, and they often travel in schools with other small tunas and bonitos. Finding a school of feeding skipjacks can provide non-stop action, with multiple hookups and constant activity that keeps everyone on the boat engaged.
If you're serious about getting into some quality offshore fishing without dealing with crowded party boats, this private charter is your best bet. The combination of Captain Tommy's local knowledge, professional-grade equipment, and access to prime fishing grounds 50 miles offshore creates the perfect setup for a memorable day on the water. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to target specific species or newer to the offshore game and want to learn from a seasoned pro, this trip delivers the goods. The three-angler limit ensures everyone gets personal attention and plenty of opportunities to get their line wet. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before you commit. But honestly, once you experience the quality of fishing these deep waters offer, you'll be planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
This 26-foot Pursuit center console cuts through the waters off Barnegat Inlet with twin 200 HP Suzuki engines, hitting 35 knots to get you out to the fishing grounds fast. Built to handle both the shallow back bays and the deep blue offshore canyons, this boat comes loaded with everything you need for a serious fishing adventure. The fish finder helps locate schools of tuna and mahi, while GPS and radar keep you on course even when visibility drops. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long 10-hour runs up to 50 miles offshore. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, perfect for working multiple lines when the bite gets hot. With a toilet onboard and full safety gear, you can focus on what matters most – hooking into bluefin, wahoo, and whatever else is running through those productive Jersey waters.
Euthynnus LineatusThese silver bullets are some of the fastest fish in our waters, reaching up to 26 pounds and 3 feet long. You can spot them by the dark horizontal stripes running along their backs and the black spots between their fins. They school in open water, usually staying near the surface at night but diving to 200+ feet during the day. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when water temps hit that sweet spot above 70 degrees. What anglers love most is their willingness to hit almost any lure trolled at high speed - spoons, feathers, small plugs all work. They're also primo bait for bigger game like marlin and sharks. Here's the trick: when you find them schooling with yellowfin tuna, focus on the skipjacks first - they're easier to catch and make great live bait for the yellows.
Euthynnus AlletteratusDon't let the name fool you - these "little" guys pack serious punch for their size. Most run 10-15 pounds but they fight like fish twice that weight. Also called false albacore or bonita, they're built like torpedoes with dark metallic blue backs and distinctive black spots that look like fingerprints. You'll find them in schools around structure, feeding near the surface in 50-200 feet of water. Peak season runs late summer through fall when baitfish are thick. They're absolute speed demons - once hooked, expect blistering runs and a real workout. The meat's darker and stronger tasting than regular tuna, but many anglers love the challenge. Listen for the feeding commotion - they're noisy eaters and the splashing will give away their location from a mile off.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are pure eye candy when they come to the boat - brilliant blues and greens that flash like neon lights before fading to silver. Most mahi we catch run 15-29 pounds, though they can hit 40+ if you're lucky. They love hanging around floating debris and weed lines, usually in 100-400 feet of water where the warm current runs. Summer through early fall gives us our best shots when they're following the Gulf Stream north. What makes them special? They fight hard with lots of jumps, they're absolutely delicious eating, and those colors are something you'll never forget. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your other lines in - mahi travel in schools and where there's one, there's usually more waiting.
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