Beginner Fishing Charter In Belmar
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Perfect introduction to inshore fishing for beginners and familiesAll equipment, bait, and licenses provided by experienced crewTarget Fluke, Porgy, and Bluefish in calm protected waters
Looking to get your feet wet with inshore fishing? This beginner-friendly charter out of Belmar is exactly what you need. Perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone wanting a relaxed day on the water without the pressure of complicated techniques. Our crew at Tuna Homicide knows how to make fishing fun and approachable, whether you've never held a rod or just want to brush up on the basics. We'll take you to some of the most productive inshore spots where the fish are biting and the learning curve is gentle. With all gear provided and expert guidance every step of the way, you can focus on what matters most – having a blast on the water.
This top-rated charter keeps things simple and stress-free. We'll head out from Belmar's marina into the calm, protected waters just offshore where the fishing is consistent and the conditions are perfect for beginners. Our experienced captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will position us over productive structure where Fluke, Porgy, Bluefish, and Striped Bass hang out. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it ideal for small groups or families who want personalized attention. You won't feel rushed or overwhelmed – we take time to explain everything from baiting hooks to proper fish handling. The inshore environment means shorter runs to the fishing grounds, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time traveling.
We keep the tackle light and the techniques straightforward on this charter. You'll be using spinning rods matched with reels that are easy to handle, perfect for building confidence without the complexity of heavy offshore gear. Most of our fishing involves simple bottom rigs with sinkers and circle hooks – nothing fancy, but deadly effective for the species we're targeting. We'll show you how to feel for bites, set the hook properly, and fight fish without overcomplicating the process. Bait varies depending on what's working best, but expect to use squid strips, spearing, and bloodworms. Our crew handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you can concentrate on learning the fundamentals of reading your rod tip and knowing when to reel. All fishing licenses, tackle, and bait are included in your trip.
Summer Flounder, or Fluke as we call them locally, are the bread and butter of Belmar inshore fishing. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting baitfish. They're active from late spring through early fall, with the best action typically in 15-30 feet of water. What makes Fluke so exciting for beginners is their aggressive strike – when they hit, you'll know it. They put up a solid fight relative to their size, and nothing beats the satisfaction of landing a "doormat" Fluke over 20 inches.
Bluefish are the perfect species for getting kids and first-timers excited about fishing. These voracious predators travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. Blues are most active during summer months and will hit just about anything you throw at them. They're known for their powerful runs and aggressive nature, making every hookup feel like you're connected to something twice their size. The 2-5 pound school blues we typically catch inshore provide excellent sport on light tackle and are fantastic eating when prepared fresh.
Red Porgy might not be the flashiest fish, but they're incredibly reliable and perfect for building confidence. These bottom dwellers are year-round residents in our area, though they're most active during warmer months. Porgy have a distinctive way of pecking at bait, teaching beginners how to distinguish between different types of strikes. They're excellent table fare and often the fish that keeps the action going when other species are being finicky. Many first-time anglers end up loving Porgy fishing because of how consistently they bite.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Northeast inshore fishing, and Belmar's waters offer excellent opportunities for schoolie Stripers. These fish are most active during spring and fall migrations, though smaller school bass can be found throughout the summer. Stripers are smart, making them a great species for learning proper presentation and technique. When you hook into even a small Striper, you'll understand why they're so revered – they're strong fighters that use their body shape and the current to their advantage. Landing your first Striper is a rite of passage for any angler.
This customer favorite charter fills up quickly, especially during peak summer months when families are looking for the perfect introduction to fishing. The combination of expert instruction, productive fishing grounds, and beginner-friendly approach makes it our most popular trip for first-timers. Whether you're planning a family outing, want to try something new, or need to brush up on basic techniques, this charter delivers exactly what you're looking for. Our crew's patience and knowledge ensure everyone goes home with new skills, great memories, and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish. Don't wait – spots on this renowned beginner charter book fast, and the best fishing dates disappear quickly.
Step aboard our 31-foot Grady White center console, built for comfort and designed to get you on the fish. This spacious boat easily handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to move around while you're learning the ropes. The outriggers give us extra lines in the water, increasing your chances of hooking into Fluke, Porgy, or Bluefish in Belmar's productive inshore waters. Everything you need is right at your fingertips - our fish finder helps locate schools of fish below, while the GPS keeps us on productive spots. When visibility drops, the radar keeps us safe and on course. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and preserves your catch fresh. Between fishing sessions, there's a clean restroom onboard for convenience. The center console design means easy movement around the boat and unobstructed fishing from all angles. Whether you're casting light tackle or learning to read the fish finder, this boat provides a stable platform in the calm inshore waters. Perfect for beginners who want to focus on fishing fundamentals without worrying about rough seas or complicated gear.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are the aggressive fighters that'll give beginners a real taste of what saltwater fishing is about. These blue-green torpedoes typically run 3-7 pounds but can push 20+ pounds when we hit the bigger schools. You'll find them cruising in 10-40 feet of water, especially around bait schools near jetties and drop-offs. Late spring through fall is prime time, but summer brings the famous "bluefish blitz" when they attack bait so aggressively the water looks like it's boiling. They hit hard and fight dirty with those razor-sharp teeth. Great eating when fresh, though the bigger ones have stronger flavor. My trick: when you see birds diving, get there fast - blues are underneath tearing up the bait. Use wire leaders and hold on tight when you hook one!
Pagrus PagrusRed Porgy are beautiful fish with that distinctive pale red, metallic shine that gives them their name. Most run 13-20 inches and weigh around 4 pounds, though bigger ones can hit 30+ inches. They're pretty shy around the boat, so you'll find them hanging in deeper water - usually 30 to 260 feet down near rocky bottoms and structure. These fish love crabs, shrimp, clams, and small baitfish. Spring through fall are your best bets when water temps warm up. What makes them special is that sweet, delicate white meat that flakes perfectly - honestly some of the best eating fish we catch out here. Pro tip: keep your bait small, under 2 inches, and use clams or squid on a light rig. They'll inspect it before biting, so patience pays off with these beauties.
Morone SaxatilisStriped Bass are the crown jewel of our inshore waters - those iconic black stripes make them unmistakable. Most fish we catch run 20-30 inches, but the big breeders can push 40+ pounds and really test your drag. They love structure: jetties, drop-offs, bridge pilings, anywhere current brings baitfish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're moving up and down the coast. Early morning and evening are magic hours when they come up to feed. What makes stripers special is they're smart, strong fighters that'll make multiple runs, plus the meat is excellent eating. They prefer cooler water between 55-68°F, so we target them in deeper holes during summer heat. Pro tip: live bait like bunker or eels near structure at dawn or dusk - and be ready for that jarring strike when a big one hits.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, what we call fluke around here, are the masters of camouflage lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms. Most keepers run 15-20 inches, but the bigger "doormat" fluke can hit 5+ pounds and make your day. They hang in 15-60 feet of water around structure - wrecks, drop-offs, channel edges where current brings food. May through October is prime season, with fall bringing the bigger fish as they fatten up before heading offshore. What's cool is watching them change color to match the bottom perfectly. They're ambush predators with both eyes on one side, so they bite sideways. The meat is firm, white, and mild - perfect for families. Here's the key: drift with the current using bucktails tipped with squid or spearing, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook.
Belmar