Ready to chase some trophy fish off the Jersey Shore? Hop aboard with Capt. Mark Schrenk and the crew of Jessie James Charters for a full day of offshore action. We're talking 10 solid hours of fishing in the rich Atlantic waters, where you've got a shot at everything from yellowfin tuna to mahi mahi. This ain't your average boat ride – it's a chance to test your skills against some of the ocean's top predators. Plus, with Atlantic City as your backdrop, you know the after-party's gonna be just as good as the fishing.
Listen up, anglers – here's the deal. We push off from Atlantic City early, so be ready to rise and grind. The boat's limited to six guests, which means more elbow room and personalized attention from the crew. Capt. Mark knows these waters like the back of his hand, so you're in for some prime fishing spots. We're talking clear blue water, warm weather, and the kind of day that makes you glad you picked up a rod in the first place. Just remember, there's no food provided, so pack a cooler with enough grub and drinks to keep you going all day. And hey, if you're new to Jessie James Charters, we'll hook you up with a free t-shirt – consider it your badge of honor for joining the crew.
Alright, let's talk fishing. We're not messing around with little panfish here – we're after the big boys. Depending on what's biting, we might be trolling for tuna, bottom fishing for sea bass, or jigging for bluefish. The crew's got all the heavy-duty gear you need, from sturdy rods to fresh bait. We'll show you the ropes if you're green, but if you're an old salt, feel free to bring your own lucky rod. Just a heads up – offshore fishing can be a workout. Be ready to put your back into it when a yellowfin decides to take you for a ride. And don't forget, a happy mate makes for a happy boat, so that 20% tip at the end of the day goes a long way.
You never know what's gonna hit your line out here, and that's half the fun. But let me tell you about some of the stars of the show. Yellowfin tuna are the heavy hitters – these bad boys can push 100 pounds and will test every ounce of your strength. Mahi mahi (aka dolphinfish) are like the supermodels of the sea – beautiful, acrobatic, and delicious on the grill. Then you've got your bottom dwellers like sea bass and cod, which might not look as flashy but boy, do they make for good eating. And don't sleep on the bluefish – these toothy critters will give you a run for your money and make for some epic fights.
Yellowfin Tuna: These speedsters are the prize of any offshore trip. They're built like torpedoes and can swim up to 50 mph. Best time to target them is late summer to early fall when they're chasing baitfish near the surface. Hooking one is like trying to stop a freight train – get ready for the fight of your life.
Bluefish: These chompers are the bulldogs of the sea. They've got a nasty set of teeth and an attitude to match. Bluefish run in schools, so when you find 'em, it's often non-stop action. They're at their best in the spring and fall, and put up a mean fight on light tackle.
Jolthead Porgy: Don't let the funny name fool you – these tasty bottom-feeders are a blast to catch. They might not be the biggest fish in the sea, but they make up for it in numbers. You can target them year-round, but summer's prime time. Perfect for filling the cooler and impressing your friends at the next fish fry.
Grey Triggerfish: These oddball fish look like something out of a cartoon, but they're no joke when it comes to eating. They hang around structures and reefs, so we'll need to be precise with our drops. Late summer is usually the sweet spot for triggers. Be careful of their tough, leathery skin and sharp teeth when you're unhooking them.
Atlantic Bonito: These little rockets are like mini tunas. They're fast, they school up, and they're a riot on light tackle. Look for them from spring through fall, often busting bait on the surface. They're not the biggest fish out there, but pound for pound, they'll give you one heck of a fight.
Lingcod: Now, these ugly mugs are a real treat. They've got a face only a mother could love, but their white, flaky meat is to die for. We'll be dropping lines near rocky bottoms to find these ambush predators. They're most active in cooler months, so fall and winter are prime lingcod seasons.
Mahi Mahi: Also known as dorado or dolphinfish, these are the show-stoppers of the offshore world. Their electric blue and yellow colors are a sight to behold. We'll be looking for floating debris or weed lines where they like to hang out. Summer and early fall are your best bet for mahi. Get ready for some acrobatics when they hit the line.
Sea Bass: These bottom-dwelling bruisers are a staple of the Atlantic City fishing scene. They love structure, so we'll be hitting wrecks and reefs to find them. The bigger ones, called "knuckleheads," can put up a serious fight. They're around all year, but the fishing really heats up in the fall.
Atlantic Cod: The classic catch of the Northeast. These whiskered fish have fed generations of anglers. We'll be dropping baits to the bottom in cooler months – late fall through early spring is prime time. They might not be the fastest fish, but hauling up a big cod from the depths is always a thrill.
Let me tell you, there's something special about fishing these Atlantic City waters. Maybe it's the way the skyline fades as we head out to the deep blue. Or how the salt spray hits your face as we're running to the fishing grounds. But I think what really keeps folks coming back is the pure excitement of not knowing what's gonna grab your line next. One minute you're reeling in a sea bass, the next you're locked in an epic battle with a yellowfin tuna. And let's be real – there's nothing quite like the feeling of coming back to the dock with a cooler full of fresh fish and a camera full of photos to prove your fish stories.
Alright, let's cut to the chase. If you're itching to get out on the water and put some bend in your rod, now's the time to lock in your spot. Remember, we're only taking six anglers per trip, so don't wait too long or you might miss the boat (literally). Whether you're a seasoned pro looking to add some new species to your list, or a newbie who's always dreamed of landing a big one, Capt. Mark and the Jessie James crew have got you covered. So what are you waiting for? Grab your sunscreen, your lucky hat, and let's go fishing. The fish are out there, and they're not gonna catch themselves. Book now and get ready for a day on the water you won't forget. See you at the dock!
Jolthead porgy are an underrated catch around here. These tasty panfish usually run 1-2 pounds, but can reach up to 5 pounds. You'll find them around hard bottom areas, reefs, and wrecks in 30-300 feet of water. They're most active in warmer months when they move inshore to spawn. Anglers enjoy targeting porgies for their hard fight on light tackle and excellent table fare. Their white, flaky meat is perfect for frying. To catch them, use small hooks with pieces of squid, shrimp, or clam. Fish near the bottom and be ready for their light, nibbling bites. Once you find a school, you can often catch a bunch. A local trick is to use a light fluorocarbon leader - porgies have good eyesight and can be leader shy in clear water. Just be careful of their sharp gill plates when unhooking them.
Sea bass are a fun, tasty target around here. Most run 1-2 feet long and a few pounds, but trophy fish can hit 5-6 pounds. You'll find them hanging around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottoms in 60-180 feet of water. Summer and early fall are prime time as they move inshore to feed. Anglers love sea bass for their aggressive bite and delicious white meat. They'll hit just about any bait or lure, but squid strips are hard to beat. For artificial, try bouncing a bucktail jig tipped with a strip of squid along the bottom. When you find a school, it's usually action-packed fishing. Sea bass are structure-oriented, so once you locate them, you can often catch a bunch before they wise up. Just remember to check current regulations on size and bag limits before you head out.
Lingcod are an odd-looking but delicious bottom fish. Most run 10-20 pounds, but trophy fish over 50 pounds aren't unheard of. You'll find them lurking around rocky reefs and kelp beds in 50-300 feet of water. These aggressive predators have a huge mouth full of sharp teeth - they'll eat just about anything they can fit in there. Anglers love lingcod for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table fare. To catch them, try bouncing large jigs or live bait near the bottom around structure. Lingcod often grab prey and swim back to their lair, so let them run a bit before setting the hook. Once hooked, be ready for a dogged fight as they try to wrap you in the rocks. A local trick is to use a large white jig - lingcod seem to have a thing for attacking bright white lures.
Mahi mahi, also called dorado or dolphin fish, are one of the most exciting catches out here. These colorful fighters usually run 15-30 pounds but can top 50. Look for them near floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks in blue offshore waters, especially in summer and early fall. Mahi are prized for their acrobatic fights - they'll leap and tail-walk across the surface. Their meat is also excellent eating, with a mild, sweet flavor. To catch them, troll rigged ballyhoo or artificial lures like cedar plugs near floating structure. Once you hook one, leave your hooked fish in the water to keep the school around. Mahi are competitive feeders, so you can often catch multiple fish from the same school. Just be ready for some spectacular aerial displays when you hook into one of these beauties.
Bluefish are one of the hardest-fighting fish pound-for-pound you'll find inshore. These toothy predators usually run 2-5 pounds, but can top 20 pounds. You'll find them chasing bait near inlets, jetties, and along the beaches, especially in spring and fall. Blues are aggressive and will hit just about any lure or bait. Anglers love them for their powerful runs and aerial acrobatics when hooked. To catch them, try casting metal lures or topwater plugs into feeding schools. Look for birds working over bait - that's often a sign blues are feeding below. Wire leaders are a must to prevent cutoffs from their razor-sharp teeth. A local trick is to "snag and drop" live bait like bunker into a feeding school. The commotion often triggers a ferocious strike. Just be careful handling blues - those teeth are no joke!
Atlantic bonito are a blast to catch on light tackle. These small tuna relatives usually run 2-5 pounds but can reach 10-15 pounds. Look for them chasing bait near inlets and offshore, especially in late summer and fall. Bonito are lightning fast and will readily hit small lures like metal jigs or spoons. Anglers love them for their blistering runs and tasty meat that's great for sushi. To catch bonito, watch for birds working over bait schools and cast small, shiny lures into the fray. A fast retrieve often triggers strikes. Once hooked, be ready for some screaming runs - these little rockets can really peel some line. A local tip is to use light fluorocarbon leaders, as bonito can be leader shy in clear water. Their meat spoils quickly, so get them on ice right away if you plan to keep a few for the table.
Atlantic cod are a prized catch off our coast. These fish usually run 2-4 feet long and 20-30 pounds, though monsters over 100 pounds have been caught. You'll find them near the bottom in cool waters, often hanging around rocky areas or wrecks. Spring and fall are prime seasons when they move closer to shore. Anglers love targeting cod for their firm, flaky white meat - it's tough to beat fresh cod for fish and chips. They put up a good fight too, especially the bigger ones. To land a cod, try bouncing a diamond jig or dropping fresh clams or squid strips near structure. Keep your bait close to the bottom and be ready for that telltale thump when they bite. Just remember there are some catch limits in place to help rebuild stocks.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Cummins
Maximum Cruising Speed: 22
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 450