Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay

Fin Chaser Sportfishing is the benchmark for quality in New Jersey. Operating for 20 consecutive seasons and topping the board at tournaments across the Northeast, these guys have the experience, the skills, and the can-do attitude to get you on that fish of a lifetime.

Launching out of South Amboy, NJ, you will be perfectly placed to enjoy awesome angling both inshore and offshore. Inshore trips last four to six hours, and focus on fishing the bays, inlets, and nearshore wrecks for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Flounder, Tautog, and more.

Head offshore, and it’s an entirely different ball game. You will be rocketing out to the best fishing spots around to target Thresher Sharks, White Marlin, Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and various other deep-sea superstars.

Capt. Frank Wagenhoffer isn’t the kind of man to stop fishing when the bite is hot. If Tuna are making the topwaters boil out at the Hudson Canyon, he will happily stay out longer to get you on a record-breaker. The same goes for burning gas. Other captains might throttle back at the 60-mile mark, but Capt. Frank will go half as far again if that’s where the bite is best.

From the moment you step aboard Capt. Frank’s 36’ Contender Fisharound, you will know he means business. All-Raymarine electronics sweep the deep while outriggers and downriggers spread your lines far and wide to maximize your catch. All this while your captain and mate prep every kind of tackle under the sun.

The Fin Chaser Sportfishing team stock the best equipment on the market to give you the best experience whether Trolling, jigging, popping, spinning, drifting, live baiting – you name it, they’ve got it on board.

This is a chance to fish with the best in the business in the most famous waters around. This is the chance for the perfect fishing trip. So jump aboard and get ready to scratch off half your bucket list!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip- Inshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - May 31
    US $850
    Spend the afternoon on the water, exploring the Raritan Bay for Striped Bass, Flounder, Weakfish, Bluefish, and much, much more.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Striped)
    Striped Bass
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip - Inshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - May 31
    US $900
    Spend the morning on the water, exploring the Raritan Bay for Striped Bass, Flounder, Weakfish, Bluefish, and much, much more.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Striped)
    Striped Bass
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip - Inshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Oct 1 - Nov 30
    US $1,050
    Spend the afternoon targeting Striped Bass, Bluefish, Scup, Weakfish, Flounder, Fluke, and other inshore favorites around New York Harbor and Raritan Bay.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Striped)
    Striped Bass
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip - Inshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - May 31
    US $1,050
    Spend the morning targeting Striped Bass, Bluefish, Scup, Weakfish, Flounder, Fluke, and other inshore favorites around New York Harbor and Raritan Bay.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Striped)
    Striped Bass
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip - Inshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Oct 1 - Nov 30
    US $1,100
    Spend the whole morning on the water, exploring the Raritan Bay and New York Harbor for Striped Bass, Flounder, Weakfish, Bluefish, and much, much more.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip - Inshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - May 31
    US $1,100
    Spend the whole morning on the water, exploring the Raritan Bay and New York Harbor for Striped Bass, Flounder, Weakfish, Bluefish, and much, much more.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Striped)
    Striped Bass
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
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FAQs about Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay

Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $850 per group - 4 Hour Trip- Inshore (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $900 per group - 4 Hour Trip - Inshore (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,050 per group - 6 Hour Trip - Inshore (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,050 per group - 6 Hour Trip - Inshore (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group - 6 Hour Trip - Inshore (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group - 6 Hour Trip - Inshore (AM) (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Air Conditioning
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Live Bait Well
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (Can be caught in advance or caught on the trip)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Snacks (Chips, cookies, pretzels. Donuts and bagels on AMs)
  • Drinks (Water, sodas)
  • First Mate (Works for tips 20% is customery )
  • Fishing License
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (Raritan Bay, NY Harbor, Coast Line)
  • Nearshore Fishing (Mud Hole, Glory Hole, Chicken Canyon & Wrecks)
  • Offshore Fishing (Canyons: Hudson-Spencer)

Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay include:
  • Bass (Striped)
  • Bluefish
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Flounder
  • Little Tunny (False Albacore)
  • Marlin (White)
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Shark (Thresher)
  • Tuna (Bluefin)
  • Tuna (Yellowfin)

Meet the Captain

Frank Wagenhoffer
South Amboy, New Jersey, United States
49 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
72 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since March 2018
Captain Frank has been fishing Raritan Bay from the age of 10. He has been a charter boat captain for the last 19 years and has fished from Cape Cod, MA to Virginia Beach, VA on the ASA and FLW Striper Tournament trails. He is still an active tournament fisherman, most recently winning the 2017 & 2018 LBI Cup Grand Championship Award back to back and winning 7 out of 9 tournaments entered in 2018. This is a testament to his passion, skill, and ability, which he puts to work on every trip he runs. Captan Frank publishes his weekly report in The Fisherman Magazine Highlands, NJ section. In the off season Captain Frank gives seminars and “How To” work shops on fishing strategies and techniques at industry Fishing/Trade and Boat shows.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Striped) Striped Bass
Bluefish Bluefish
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Flounder Flounder

Boat specs

Contender (Center console) originally built in 2005, and restored in 2018. Powered by 3 250HP Yamaha engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots.

Length
36 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Raritan Bay, NY Harbor, Coast Line
Nearshore Fishing
Mud Hole, Glory Hole, Chicken Canyon & Wrecks
Offshore Fishing
Canyons: Hudson-Spencer

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Air Conditioning
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Live Bait Well

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Can be caught in advance or caught on the trip
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Snacks
Chips, cookies, pretzels. Donuts and bagels on AMs
Drinks
Water, sodas
First Mate
Works for tips 20% is customery
Fishing License
Fly Fishing Equipment

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
All ages welcome, vests provided with prior notice
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

South Amboy Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 27 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (32)
October Fishing Trip
October Fishing Trip
October Fishing Trip
+29
Angler rating
26
0
0
0
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
94%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
89%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 27 reviews
Colby R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

October Fishing Trip

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip - Inshore (AM) on October 29, 2023
Captain Frank and Ryan were great guys to go fishing with. Very knowledgeable and friendly. My brothers and I had a great time...
Colby R. recommends Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay
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You found this review helpful
  Frank Wagenhoffer Captain replied

William H.
Fountainville, PA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Afternoon Striped Bass Charter on Fin Chaser

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip - Inshore (PM) on November 18, 2021
What a day ! First off, Captain Frank and his mate Tim are the most competent team I have ever fished with. Also the most courteous....
William H. recommends Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay
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William H. recommends Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay
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Dan D.
Hawthorne, NJ
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Another Great Trip

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip - Inshore (AM) on November 13, 2021
This is the second year in a row we used Fin Chasers and we caught a ton of fish on both trips. Captain Frank knows what he...
Dan D. recommends Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay
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Dan D. recommends Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay
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Aaron F.
Old Bridge, New Jersey
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day with Capt. Frank

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip - Inshore (PM) on May 26, 2019
I took my family of four (me, my wife and two college age kids) with Capt. Frank and 1st Mate Jason for a pm charter on a warm...
Aaron F. recommends Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay
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  Frank Wagenhoffer Captain replied

James H.
Abingdon, Maryland
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day PM with Captain Mike

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip - Inshore (PM) on November 9, 2021
Great day on the water. Captain Mike and First Mate Tim made sure we caught some fish. He kept looking until he found them....
James H. recommends Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay
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James H. recommends Fin Chaser Sportfishing – Raritan Bay
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