Charter Fishing New Jersey | Reef, Wreck, Bottom
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target striped bass, fluke, and black sea bass offshoreExpert crew guides guests to prime reef and wreck spotsSmall group charter accommodates up to six anglers
New Jersey's offshore waters are absolutely loaded with fish, and there's no better way to get into the action than with a dedicated charter that knows where to find them. The Atlantic waters off the Jersey coast offer some of the most productive fishing on the East Coast, with a mix of reef structures, historic wrecks, and sandy bottom that holds everything from stripers to sea bass. You're looking at a full day on the water with a crew that's been working these spots for years, and they know exactly where the fish are holding based on season, tide, and conditions.
This is a six-angler maximum trip, which means you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be fighting for rail space when the bite gets hot. The boat heads out to a variety of structures depending on what's biting best – could be natural reefs, artificial reefs, or some of the many wrecks that dot the ocean floor off New Jersey. The crew handles all the navigation and puts you on fish, but you're doing the work once that rod bends over. These aren't crowded party boat trips where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers. You get personalized attention and coaching if you need it, plus the flexibility to target different species as conditions change throughout the day. The Atlantic can serve up some weather, so come prepared for wind and spray, but that's all part of the offshore experience.
The fishing style changes based on what you're targeting and where you're fishing. For bottom fishing around wrecks and reefs, you're looking at conventional tackle with enough backbone to pull fish up from 60-100 feet of water, often with current running. The crew provides all rods, reels, and terminal tackle – they know what works in these waters and keep everything maintained and ready to go. When you're working structure for black sea bass and other bottom dwellers, it's all about getting your bait down fast and keeping it in the strike zone. For stripers, techniques vary from live bait fishing to chunking bunker, and the crew reads the conditions to determine what's most effective on any given day. Circle hooks are standard for most applications, which helps with fish survival and reduces deep hooking. You'll be using everything from high-low rigs to fish finder rigs depending on the target species and bottom structure.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of New Jersey offshore fishing, and these waters produce some serious fish. You're looking at bass that range from schoolie size up to legitimate cows in the 30-40 pound range, with the occasional monster pushing even bigger. These fish are incredibly strong fighters and will test your tackle and stamina when you hook into a good one. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but resident populations provide opportunities throughout the season. They're smart fish that require different presentations based on conditions – sometimes they want live bunker, other times cut bait or even artificials work better.
Bluefish are pure aggression on a hook and provide some of the most exciting action you'll find offshore. New Jersey blues run from smaller "snapper" size up to chopper blues in the 10-15 pound range that will absolutely smoke a drag and put up a memorable fight. When a school of blues moves through, the action can be non-stop with multiple hookups happening simultaneously. They hit hard, fight dirty, and never give up until they're in the boat. The best part about targeting blues is their willingness to eat – they're opportunistic predators that will slam everything from cut bait to metal jigs.
Black Sea Bass might not be the biggest fish in these waters, but they're incredibly popular with anglers because they're excellent table fare and fight surprisingly hard for their size. New Jersey's reefs and wrecks hold good populations of sea bass, particularly during the warmer months when they move into shallower waters to spawn. These fish are structure-oriented, so you're fishing tight to bottom around rocks, wrecks, and artificial reefs. They have sharp gill plates and spines that require careful handling, but they're worth the effort. A good sea bass will make multiple runs and use the structure to try to break you off, making them much more challenging than their size might suggest.
New Jersey offshore fishing delivers consistent action across multiple species, and this charter puts you in position to capitalize on some of the best fishing the Atlantic has to offer. With expert local knowledge, top-quality tackle, and access to proven fishing grounds, you're set up for success whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been working these waters for years. The combination of reef, wreck, and bottom fishing means there's always something biting, and the small group size ensures you get the attention and coaching you need to make the most of your day. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing dates fill up quickly, especially during peak season when the bite is hottest.
Step aboard our beautifully restored 35-foot Henriques Downeast, a classic fishing machine that's been working New Jersey waters since 1981. This reliable workhorse got a complete makeover in 2002 and now purrs along at 20 knots thanks to her powerful 350 HP Cummins engine. She's built for serious offshore fishing with all the gear you need - GPS and radar to get you to the hottest spots safely, plus a fish finder to locate where the big ones are hiding. The spacious deck gives up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work, while an icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold. When you need a break between bites, there's a comfortable bed below deck and a private head. Whether you're targeting striped bass on the reefs, pulling up fluke from the sandy bottom, or dropping lines on productive wrecks, this proven vessel will get you there and back with your cooler full of fresh Atlantic seafood.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the perfect wreck and reef fish. These chunky, dark-bodied fighters average 1-4 pounds and love hanging around structure in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn around jetties, wrecks, and rocky bottom. They're scrappy little bulldogs that dive straight for cover when hooked, making every fight interesting. The meat is sweet and flaky - perfect table fare. What's wild is they all start as females, then change to males as they grow. My go-to setup: drop a two-hook rig with squid strips right to the bottom near structure. Keep it tight - they'll steal your bait in a heartbeat.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are pure aggression with fins. These blue-green speedsters average 3-10 pounds but pack serious attitude. They're voracious feeders that attack schools of baitfish in feeding frenzies we call "bluefish blitz" - the water literally churns white. You'll find them from sandy beaches to deeper offshore waters, especially during summer months. They fight dirty, making long runs and violent head shakes. While they're excellent eating when prepared fresh, handle them carefully - those razor-sharp teeth can do real damage. Here's the trick: when you see diving birds and breaking fish, get there fast with metal lures or fresh chunks. Blues hit hard and don't give up easy.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are what New Jersey fishing is all about. These silver beauties with their distinctive black stripes run 20-40 pounds on average, though we see plenty that push 50+. They're structure fish, so we target them around wrecks, reefs, and drop-offs where they hunt baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time as they migrate along our coast, with the best action at dawn and dusk. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste great, and you never know if the next bite is a schoolie or a trophy. Pro tip: when the water's moving and birds are working, cast into the current edges - that's where the big ones wait.
Atlantic City