Neptune Offshore Tuna Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target tuna, mahi mahi, and bonito 30 miles offshoreExpert crew provides guidance and local fishing knowledgeEighthour charter accommodates up to six guests maximum
When you're looking for serious offshore action, this 8-hour charter puts you right in the heart of some of the Atlantic's best fishing grounds. We're talking about heading 30 miles out from Neptune, NJ, where the water gets deep blue and the fish get serious. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're targeting the speedsters and fighters that make offshore fishing legendary. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without bumping elbows, and our crew knows exactly where to find the bite when these pelagic species are running hot.
Picture this: you're rolling out of port in the early morning darkness, watching the sun come up as we cruise to the fishing grounds. The ride out takes about an hour and a half, giving you time to get your sea legs and watch the shoreline fade into the horizon. Once we hit our spots, it's all about covering water and finding active fish. The crew will have the rods rigged and ready – we're talking about serious offshore tackle that can handle whatever decides to grab your bait. The vibe is relaxed but focused, with everyone keeping an eye on the rod tips and scanning the water for diving birds, color changes, and floating structure that holds fish. Don't forget to pack your own food and drinks since we're not providing meals, and bring good sun protection because there's nowhere to hide once we're out there.
We fish these waters using proven trolling methods that consistently produce fish. The boat will be rigged with a spread of lures and natural baits, typically running four to six lines at different depths and distances from the boat. We'll be pulling everything from cedar plugs and spoons to ballyhoo and squid rigs, adjusting our spread based on what the fish are showing us. The tackle is built for the job – think 30 to 50-pound class outfits with quality reels that have the drag systems to handle long runs. When something hits, the crew will coach you through the fight, helping you work the fish properly without burning yourself out. The key to success out here is patience and persistence – we'll keep moving until we find cooperative fish, adjusting our trolling speed and lure selection based on water temperature, current, and what we're marking on the fish finder.
The Blackfin Tuna are the bread and butter of these offshore trips, typically running anywhere from 5 to 25 pounds with the occasional bigger fish mixed in. These guys are pure muscle and attitude – they'll strip line off your reel like it's going out of style and make multiple runs before you get them to the boat. Best time to target them is when the water temperature hits that sweet spot between 72 and 78 degrees, usually from late spring through early fall. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually more around.
Atlantic Bonito might be smaller than their tuna cousins, but pound for pound, they're some of the scrappiest fish you'll hook. These silver bullets typically weigh between 2 and 8 pounds and they fight like fish twice their size. They show up in good numbers during their migration periods, and they're suckers for small spoons and feathers trolled at higher speeds. What makes them special is their willingness to bite when other species are being finicky – they're often the fish that saves the day when the bite is tough.
Mahi Mahi are the showstoppers of the offshore world, with their electric colors and acrobatic fights that'll have you whooping and hollering. These fish are opportunistic feeders that love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. They can range anywhere from small schoolie size up to bull dolphins pushing 30 pounds or more. The key with mahi is speed – once you hook one, get it in quickly because they often travel in schools, and you want to get back to fishing while the school is still around.
Little Tunny, also called false albacore by some anglers, are the speed demons of this group. They're smaller than blackfins but make up for it with pure velocity and endurance. These fish are perfect for anglers who want steady action without the long fights, and they're excellent table fare when handled properly. They typically show up in good numbers during the fall migration, and they're not shy about hitting lures trolled at pretty good clips.
This 8-hour offshore adventure gives you the best shot at hooking into multiple species while experiencing what real deep-sea fishing is all about. The combination of proven fishing grounds, experienced crew, and prime offshore species makes this trip a solid choice for both seasoned anglers and folks looking to step up from inshore fishing. With only 6 spots available, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of room to fight your fish properly. The crew at Wots Up Dock Charter Fishing knows these waters inside and out, and they're committed to putting you on fish while keeping everyone safe and comfortable. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season when these species are running strong.
Step aboard our well-equipped 33-foot Bertram and get ready to chase tuna in the productive waters off Neptune, NJ. This solid fishing platform runs on twin Yanmar diesels pushing 630 horsepower each, giving you the speed and reliability to reach those offshore hotspots where the action happens. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the lines without crowding each other. The boat comes loaded with everything serious fishermen need - outriggers for spreading your trolling spread, a live bait tank to keep your offerings fresh, and top-notch electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder to locate those schools of Little Tunny and Blackfin Tuna. The flybridge gives your captain excellent visibility to spot birds and bait, while the onboard kitchen and refrigerator keep your catch fresh and your drinks cold during the long day on the water. When you need a break from the action, there's even a comfortable bed below deck to rest up before the next bite.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are fast, hard-fighting members of the mackerel family that'll give you a workout on medium tackle. These silver speedsters with dark stripes typically run 5-12 pounds and can hit 40 mph when they want to. They travel in large schools that feed aggressively on the surface, often with their dorsal fins showing like mini sharks. We target them 20-30 miles offshore in the warmer months when bait is thick. They're not great table fare here in the States, but they make fantastic live bait for bigger game and provide non-stop action when the bite is on. Look for diving birds - that's your cue to get ready. They'll hit almost anything when feeding, but small metal jigs work best in windy conditions. Once you find a school, work fast because they can disappear as quickly as they showed up.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest in the tuna family, typically running 10-30 pounds and known for their fierce fighting spirit. These sleek fish have dark bodies with distinctive yellow finlets and a golden stripe that fades quickly once landed. We find them in warm offshore waters, usually 30+ miles out where temps hit 68°F or higher. They school up with skipjack and respond well to trolling with small ballyhoo or chunking with live pilchards. Fall through spring offers the best action when they move through our waters. What makes them special is that hard pull - they fight way above their weight class. The meat is excellent, similar to yellowfin when handled properly. Pro tip: scale down your tackle and use fluorocarbon leaders - these fish have sharp eyes and will shy away from heavy wire in clear water.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, also called false albacore, are scrappy tuna relatives that pack a serious punch for their size. Most run 8-15 pounds but fight like fish twice their weight with blistering runs that'll test your drag. They school up in huge numbers and make a lot of noise when feeding - you can actually hear them crashing bait from a distance. We find them around jetties, inlets, and structure where baitfish gather, usually in 40-80 feet of water. Fall brings the best action as they fatten up before heading south. While their red meat isn't for everyone, they're perfect for shark bait and provide amazing sport on light tackle. The trick is using small, fast-moving lures or live baitfish - they're picky eaters with good eyesight. When you find a feeding school, work quickly because they can sound and disappear in minutes.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are hands-down one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean with their electric blues, greens, and gold colors that put on a light show when landed. These fast-growing fish average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds. We target them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks 25+ miles offshore where warm water holds bait. Late spring through fall brings the best fishing when water temps climb into the 70s. They're incredible fighters with blazing runs and high jumps, plus they're absolutely delicious - mild, firm white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. The key is making your ballyhoo or lures skip on the surface to imitate flying fish, their favorite meal. Once you hook one, keep the boat moving because where there's one mahi, there's usually more nearby.
Neptune, NJ