5.0(2 Reviews)Private Overnight Tuna & Shark Fishing Trip
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
14hour overnight charter targeting tuna and shark offshoreMidnight departure with trolling and chumming techniques usedSixperson capacity with alcohol permitted aboard XTC vessel
Picture this: it's midnight in Belmar, and while everyone else is sleeping, you're firing up the diesel engines on the XTC for what might be the best 14 hours you'll spend on the water this year. This isn't your typical half-day trip—we're talking serious offshore action targeting yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, and shortfin mako sharks in some of New Jersey's most productive fishing grounds. With just six anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be fighting for rail space when the bite gets hot. Pack your cooler with drinks and food because we're staying out there until the fishing's done or the sun sets—whichever comes first.
When you step aboard the XTC at midnight, you're signing up for the real deal. This 14-hour marathon starts in the dark, and there's a good reason for that—we want to be sitting on the best fishing spots right as the sun comes up, when tuna start feeding heavy. The first few hours are all about the run out to the offshore grounds, usually 20-40 miles depending on where the fish are showing up on the reports. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to burn fuel to put you on fish. You'll want to grab some sleep during the ride out if you can—once we start fishing, it's game on. The boat's equipped for serious offshore work, with outriggers, downriggers, and all the heavy tackle you need to handle whatever we hook up. Don't forget that New Jersey fishing license—marine enforcement doesn't mess around out there, and you definitely don't want to end your trip early over paperwork.
We run a spread that's proven to work in these waters—typically four to six lines out with a mix of cedar plugs, spreader bars, and daisy chains. The trolling pattern covers different depths and speeds to figure out what the tuna want on any given day. Sometimes they're hitting surface baits at 7 knots, other days you need to drop back skirted ballyhoo and slow it down to 4.5. When we mark fish on the sounder or see birds working, that's when we switch gears to chunking and live-lining. The chum slick brings them right to the boat, and that's where things get interesting fast. We'll set up a rotation so everyone gets their shot, but when multiple fish are in the spread, it's controlled chaos. The mako sharks usually show up mid-day when the sun's high and the water temperature climbs—they love following our chum line and hitting baits meant for tuna. Circle hooks are mandatory for anything we're releasing, and we run heavy fluorocarbon leaders because these fish have seen plenty of lures.
The yellowfin tuna fishing off Belmar has been absolutely lights-out this season. These fish are running anywhere from 30 to 80 pounds, with the occasional cow over 100 pounds mixed in. They're aggressive feeders and put up a fight that'll test your tackle and your back—plan on 20-30 minute battles for the bigger ones. The key is keeping steady pressure and not trying to horse them to the boat too fast. Bluefin tuna are the holy grail out here, and when they show up, everything else takes a back seat. These fish are pure muscle and can easily hit the 200-pound mark. They're pickier eaters than yellowfin, often preferring live bait or perfectly presented chunks. The shortfin mako sharks are the wildcard—they'll hit anything and put on an aerial show that'll have you scrambling for your phone. Most makos we're seeing are in the 100-150 pound range, though bigger ones cruise through these waters. They're fast, mean, and absolutely fearless when hooked.
Yellowfin tuna are the bread and butter of this trip, and for good reason. These fish are built for speed and endurance, with that distinctive sickle-shaped dorsal fin and bright yellow accents. They school up in large numbers from June through October, feeding on squid, mackerel, and smaller baitfish. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive nature—they'll absolutely demolish a trolled lure or inhale a chunk bait without hesitation. The fight is straight-up power, long runs combined with bulldogging near the boat. Plus, you can't beat yellowfin sashimi made from fish you caught yourself.
Bluefin tuna are the fish of legends, and catching one off New Jersey is something you'll remember forever. These are the same fish that sell for thousands of dollars at Tokyo fish markets, and they're right here in our backyard. Bluefin can live over 20 years and migrate thousands of miles, following baitfish and temperature breaks. They're incredibly smart fish that can be frustratingly picky about what they eat. But when you hook one, especially a giant over 200 pounds, it's like being connected to a freight train. The initial run can strip 300 yards of line before you even realize what happened. Peak season runs from June through November, with the biggest fish typically showing up in the fall.
Shortfin mako sharks bring a completely different energy to the trip. These are the speed demons of the shark world, capable of hitting 45 mph and jumping 15 feet out of the water when hooked. They're warm-blooded, which gives them incredible bursts of energy and makes them active throughout the water column. Makos follow the warm water and baitfish, so they're most common from July through September in our waters. What anglers love about makos is their attitude—they're aggressive, unpredictable, and absolutely fearless. They'll charge the boat, jump repeatedly, and generally put on a show that gets everyone's a
The XTC is a serious fishing machine built for anglers who mean business. This 44-foot Henriques cuts through the Atlantic with twin 550 HP John Deere diesels, getting you to the tuna grounds fast and keeping you there steady. The wide beam and oversized cockpit give you room to work when the big fish are on, while the fighting chair handles whatever comes up from the deep. Two seasoned captains with over 50 years on these waters know exactly where to find the bite. Below deck you'll find bunks for resting between runs, plus a full galley setup with fridge and icebox to keep your drinks cold and lunch fresh during those long 14-hour nights chasing tuna and sharks. Built tough for offshore work, she's rock solid when you're battling fish in heavy seas.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail of tuna fishing - massive, powerful fish averaging 6+ feet and 550 pounds around here. These metallic blue giants are built for war, hitting 43 mph and diving over 3,000 feet deep. Late spring through early fall brings the best action when they follow baitfish up the coast. What sets them apart is the fight - long screaming runs that'll test your tackle and your back. The meat is pure gold, especially for sashimi lovers. They're heavily regulated, so you need permits and must report catches. Pro tip: fish the dawn and dusk bite when they're most aggressive. Set up a good trolling spread with rigged ballyhoo, but be ready to switch to chunking if they're being picky.
Isurus OxyrinchusMako sharks are the fastest sharks in the ocean, hitting 30+ mph with that classic pointed snout and metallic blue coloring. These 8-13 foot predators average 130-300 pounds and patrol our offshore waters year-round, though summer brings the best action. What makes them special? Pure adrenaline - they jump 20 feet out of the water and fight like nothing else in the sea. The meat's actually pretty tasty too, similar to swordfish. They cruise near the surface but will dive deep when hunting. My best advice: use a heavy wire leader and circle hooks - they're smart and will use your boat to break off. Keep some distance when you get them boatside because they've been known to jump right into the cockpit!
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are built like torpedoes with bright yellow fins that give them their name. Out here off Belmar, we typically see fish in the 60-pound range, though they can hit 400+ pounds. These warm-blooded speedsters cruise at 50 mph and love the upper water column in our offshore waters. Summer through fall is prime time when water temps are right. What makes them special? They fight like crazy with blazing runs, plus the meat is top-shelf - perfect for sushi or steaks. My go-to technique is chunking with fresh bunker or herring to bring them up from the depths. Once you get them feeding in your chum slick, watch for that telltale yellow flash before they hammer your bait.
5.0 out of 5.0
Newark