Charter Advice

[NJJan]

Im planning to book a charter soon and need some advice. Id like to stay under 500 apiece for 4 to 5 guys. Ive checked a few boats websites and the prices vary by species. Ive read other posts that say they have fished for different things on the same trip. Does this get picked when you book, or they charge depending on what you end up having luck with? Also, whats the best fish to try for so everyone has a chance to get action. Shark, Tuna, Dolphin? Where is a good place to leave from? Im close to Belmar, Point Pleasant and Seaside, but have heard that Cape May is the place to be. Ive mostly fished the bays, so offshore fishing is something new for me. Thanks.

[Luna Sea 5]

The prices aren't $500.00 per man, they are $500.00 per boat, meaning the price of $500.00 is split among all the people fishing the charter.  Not to take business away from our local sponsor Captains, but if you wait till spring when most of us get our boats back in the water, we do open boat trips and split expenses.. This is much cheaper then any Charter, but the Charter will supply you with rods, reels, bait, etc...  Open boat trips with us gets you on the boat, buy you need your own gear... That choice is up to you... Welcome to this site, and I am sure you will enjoy it here.

[Luna Sea 5]

If you want ACTION for all, Bluefish is always your safest bet.  Usually you can't avoid them if you want to.. If your looking for a good table fair/sport fish, then go with the Fluke and Stripers.  Belmar, Atlantic Highlands, and P. Pleasant are very popular place for Party Boats and charters, but our sponsors will send  you a link to there ports.  There are quite a few of us, including myself who port in Atlantic Highlands for the open boat trips.. My advice also, WAIT for the SPRING...

[IrishAyes]

As you mentioned in your post, price does depend on the species targeted. 

Doing a multi species trip is something that should be discussed when you are booking the trip. 

As far as prices go, I see you mentioned tuna, shark and dolphin.  These would be offshore trips and, depending if they were to the canyon or just to the mudhole would be more than the $300 Luna mentioned.  Canyon trips would run a minimume $300 per man and probably much higher.  Most inshore trips would run about $75 and up per man.  Most charters are usually a 6 man maximum.

Book your trip now so you get a quality date for the species you intend to target.

[mboy]

If offshore, don't waste money o a mudhole trip. Head to the canyone. Cost will be close to 600 per man w/ tip if not slightly more.

There you will have a shot at Tuna, Mahi, swords,Shark and Tiles.

[Skolmann]

By the amount of money & the species you stated that you'd like to spend per person ($500) sounds as if you're interested in an offshore trip.

When trolling you usually set up a rotation as to who gets the first fish then who goes next etc. etc. Or in some instances each person is assigned a specific rod and if that rod happens to go off you get to fight the fish.

When chunking, each person tends his own rod.

FYI, most offshore/overnight canyon trips ran @$3,000 (tip not included) in NJ in 2007. I'd guess it will climb to be between $3,200-$3,500 in 2008. I did a 12 hour offshore trip last May in North Carolina that ran only $1,350-which breaks down to $225/man. Even with the cost of driving and lodging it still costs less that a trip here in NJ. We caught tuna, shark and mahi(dolphin).

[mboy]

By the amount of money & the species you stated that you'd like to spend per person ($500) sounds as if you're interested in an offshore trip.

When trolling you usually set up a rotation as to who gets the first fish then who goes next etc. etc. Or in some instances each person is assigned a specific rod and if that rod happens to go off you get to fight the fish.

When chunking, each person tends his own rod.

FYI, most offshore/overnight canyon trips ran @$3,000 (tip not included) in NJ in 2007. I'd guess it will climb to be between $3,200-$3,500 in 2008. I did a 12 hour offshore trip last May in North Carolina that ran only $1,350-which breaks down to $225/man. Even with the cost of driving and lodging it still costs less that a trip here in NJ. We caught tuna, shark and mahi(dolphin).

Actually, that is not true Doc.

Most charters when chunking offshore, have a rotation same as they do when trolling.

Chunked rods are left in rod holders with balloons as floats suspending chunks at certain depths, using circle hooks. You are not assigned a rod when chunking (as they usually chunk no more then 4-5 rods at max anyway on a 6pack). Usually draw cards on way out for the batting order.

[Skolmann]

Every overnight chunking trip I've been on we were each given a rod, given a brief instruction on how the drag works etc & ioff we went.

I've done at least 6 overnight charters and never experienced a rotation system for chunking. Now that maybe be because with each trip we all had soem fishing experience.

[NJJan]

What about boat size? Id like to go offshore, but Ive heard of some boats that catch all the same things the offshore boats catch for half the price. Or do you get what you pay for?

[Luna Sea 5]

Like always, you get what you pay for.  A boat thats half price, will either be half day or they don't go to the fishing grounds where other boats go for.  Charter price will vary, but not by much because they all want to stay competitive with each other.  If there is a huge difference in price, then there are much more factors involved.

[mboy]

Every overnight chunking trip I've been on we were each given a rod, given a brief instruction on how the drag works etc & ioff we went.

I've done at least 6 overnight charters and never experienced a rotation system for chunking. Now that maybe be because with each trip we all had soem fishing experience.

Then you never fished on the Canyon Runner.

Everyone I fished with owned their own boat (except me at the time).

Experience wasn't a factor.

Every other person who went on an overnight 6 pack in the area experienced the same as me.

What boats did you fish Doc that gave you a rod and told you to go and chunk?

[Bob]

Overnight canyon trips we always did a rotation. Some rods are in outriggers or on a balloon so we took our turn when a strike occurred.  In Maryland they do 3-4 man charters close in during the day and then you man a rod yourself and play out the line but it is not that deep.  Trolling was always rotation.  Had cost $500-600 for a six man overnight plus tip.  If someone was jigging he would pass the rod to the next person in the rotation.  All works well but a low number helps.  Luck of the draw! Just like fishing!

[ped579]

Sort of the musical chairs of fishing.

[Bucktail]

     

[mboy]

Overnight canyon trips we always did a rotation. Some rods are in outriggers or on a balloon so we took our turn when a strike occurred.  In Maryland they do 3-4 man charters close in during the day and then you man a rod yourself and play out the line but it is not that deep.  Trolling was always rotation.  Had cost $500-600 for a six man overnight plus tip.  If someone was jigging he would pass the rod to the next person in the rotation.  All works well but a low number helps.  Luck of the draw! Just like fishing!

Exactly. Some rods in balloons, some with balloons on riggers, a rod with a jig in bow on a rigger jigging by natural current is how it was when I have done it.