New Jersey Back Bays Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target fluke, striped bass, and bluefish in scenic watersOffshore charter accommodates up to six guests comfortablyExperienced guides assist anglers of all skill levels
Looking for a solid day of fishing without the rough seas and long runs? New Jersey's Back Bays offer some of the most productive inshore waters along the Atlantic coast. These protected waterways wind through salt marshes and barrier islands, creating the perfect nursery habitat that draws in serious gamefish year-round. With Treemendous Sportfishing Charters, you'll fish these legendary back bay systems where local anglers have been pulling stripers, tog, blues, and black sea bass for generations. Our top-rated guides know every drop-off, structure, and tidal flow that makes these waters so special.
Your charter accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for families, small groups, or couples who want personalized attention from the captain. We launch from convenient marinas that put you right in the action without burning half your day running to the fishing grounds. The Back Bays stretch for miles through Barnegat Bay, Great Bay, and the maze of channels behind Island Beach State Park. You'll be casting around oyster bars, working the edges of spartina grass, and dropping baits along channel drops where the current sweeps baitfish into ambush zones. The scenery alone is worth the trip – osprey nests perched on channel markers, herons stalking the shallows, and classic Jersey shore backdrops that make for great photos between fish.
Back bay fishing means adapting to the conditions and what's biting. We'll be drift fishing with bucktails and soft plastics for fluke when they're staging in the channels, chunking bunker for stripers around structure, and bottom fishing with green crabs for tog around the bridges and bulkheads. Light tackle is the name of the game here – you'll feel every head shake and run on spinning gear that's perfectly matched to these waters. Live bait like killifish, spot, and sand fleas often outproduces artificials, especially during the summer months when the fish get finicky. Your guide provides all tackle, bait, and the local knowledge that comes from fishing these waters day in and day out. We carry everything from ultra-light rigs for schoolie stripers to heavier bottom rigs when the tog are holding tight to structure.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Back Bay fishing, and these waters produce both schoolies and keeper-sized fish throughout the season. Spring and fall bring the best action as migrating stripers stack up in the channels, but summer holdover fish provide consistent action around grass beds and drop-offs. These bass average 18-24 inches with plenty of keepers over 28 inches mixed in. What makes striper fishing so addictive is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights in shallow water – they'll use every oyster bar and grass edge to try to break you off.
Tautog, or blackfish as locals call them, are the ultimate structure fish and the Back Bays have plenty of bridges, bulkheads, and rock piles where they hole up. These hard-fighting bottom dwellers average 2-4 pounds but 6-8 pounders show up regularly, especially during the fall run. Tog have crushing jaws designed for eating crabs and mussels, so you need to stay sharp on the hookset. Once hooked, they dive straight for the rocks, making every fight a test of skill and tackle.
Bluefish turn the Back Bays into a feeding frenzy when they show up in schools during summer and early fall. These aggressive predators average 2-8 pounds and provide non-stop action when you find them chasing bait. Blues will hit anything that moves – topwater plugs, spoons, chunks of bunker, or live bait. They're perfect for kids and new anglers since they're so willing to bite, but experienced fishermen love their speed and aerial acrobatics.
Black Sea Bass have become a customer favorite as populations have rebounded in recent years. These bottom dwellers love structure and you'll find them around bridges, jetties, and artificial reefs throughout the bay system. They typically run 1-3 pounds with occasional jumbo fish over 5 pounds. Sea bass are excellent table fare and provide steady action when other species are finicky. They're also great for teaching proper bottom fishing techniques since they bite aggressively and fight hard for their size.
New Jersey's Back Bays offer world-class inshore fishing just minutes from the dock, making this charter perfect for anglers who want maximum fishing time without the expense and seasickness risk of offshore trips. Our experienced guides know exactly where to find fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns that change throughout the year. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or a family wanting to introduce kids to saltwater fishing, this back bay adventure delivers consistent action in a beautiful setting. The combination of multiple target species, protected waters, and scenic beauty makes this one of the most popular charters along the Jersey coast. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red-hot.
Step aboard our classic 35-foot Henriques Downeast, a beautifully restored 1981 vessel that's been lovingly refurbished to tackle New Jersey's productive Back Bays. This traditional fishing machine runs on a reliable 350 HP Cummins engine, cruising comfortably at 20 knots to get you to the best fishing spots without wasting precious angling time. Built for serious fishing, she's equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the water - GPS and radar keep us on course, while the fish finder helps locate schools of fluke, striped bass, and bluefish. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus there's a comfortable bed and private head for longer trips. With room for up to 6 anglers, this boat offers the perfect blend of classic charm and modern functionality for your Back Bay fishing adventure.
Centropristis StriataSea bass are chunky bottom-dwellers that average 1-4 pounds, with their dark, mottled bodies and distinctive white-spotted fins. These grouper relatives hang around structure - wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn, and the males turn brilliant blue with a pronounced hump on their heads. Guests love them because they fight hard until they break the surface, and the firm white meat is outstanding table fare. They're eager biters once you find them around structure. Key tip: use a double-hook bottom rig with squid strips and keep your bait right on the bottom - sea bass are curious and will usually hit within the first few minutes if they're there.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that put up a scrappy fight, typically running 3-15 pounds in our waters. These blue-green speedsters have razor-sharp teeth and travel in schools, often creating feeding frenzies when they corner baitfish. Summer brings the best action in our bays, with smaller "snappers" showing up in late summer - perfect for kids and new anglers. What makes blues exciting is their attitude - they hit hard and fight dirty, plus they're great eating when bled and iced immediately. You'll find them in open water and along drop-offs where current brings baitfish. My go-to trick: when you see diving birds and churning water, get there fast with spoons or poppers - blues in a feeding frenzy will hit almost anything.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our back bays, running anywhere from 20-40 pounds with that classic silver body and dark horizontal stripes. These powerful fish love structure - bridge pilings, drop-offs, and channel edges where they ambush baitfish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. What makes stripers special is their fight - they'll peel drag and make long runs that test your gear. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. During our fall runs, look for diving birds to locate feeding schools. Pro tip: when fishing live eels around structure at dusk, let the bait swim naturally near the bottom - that's when the big ones feed.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of the back bays - thick, stubborn fighters that average 1-3 pounds but can hit 8+ pounds around the right structure. These mottled brown fish live in rocky areas, jetties, and bridge abutments where they crush crabs and mussels with their powerful jaws. Spring through early fall offers the best fishing, especially during their spawning run from late April through August. What guests love about tog fishing is the challenge - they're picky eaters and strong fighters that test your technique. The white, flaky meat rivals lobster when cooked right. Here's my secret: use fresh green crabs, crush the shells, and scatter the pieces around your fishing spot to create a scent trail that drives them crazy.
Atlantic City