Search
Stephan Bent
Captain

Stephan Bent

Margate City, United States
25+ reviews
I have loved fishing since I was 7 years old and caught my first Trout in freshwater. In 1963 I caught my first saltwater fish, a Bluefish, and I was hooked! I fished on my own small boats and others for 15 years, and in 1978, I passed my test for my captain's license and so it began. I have fished out of Cape May and Great Egg Inlet for 40 years now and I am proud to say that mine is the only charter boat still around since the time I started. I must be doing something right! I love catching fish but I hate NOT catching fish even more. Nowadays, I find great joy in watching my clients, both young and old, enjoying catching fish. Kids and moms are always welcome. I taught in a school for 31 years, so even if you have no experience fishing, I can and will teach you and your party how to do it.

Charter

Rating

4.8
41 reviews
4.8
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

98%
Recommend this charter
91%
Caught fish

All reviews (41)

Showing 1 – 5 of 41 reviews
  • Kenny Rookstool
    Kenny Rookstool
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Wonderful trip on the bay!

    3 hr back bay fishing • 4 adults • 2 children

    We had a great time fishing with Captain Steve! My daughters, 12 and 9, enjoyed every second of it. We each caught multiple fluke! Highly recommend this experience and we will definitely be booking again next time we’re down the shore!

    Reported catch:
    Flounder
  • Chris Jones
    Chris Jones
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day on the water

    4 hour back bay charter • 4 adults • 2 children

    Captain Steve was knowledgeable and a lot of fun. It was like going out for a day with an old friend. Highly recommended

    Response from Captain

    thanks chris. the fishing wasn’t fantastic but the comraderie was superb. see yo again i hope.

  • Mary Craig
    Mary Craig
    us
    New Jersey, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Experience!

    4 hour back bay charter • 4 adults • 2 children

    Great time w Capt Steve and we caught fish!

    Response from Captain

    thanks Mary. 3 generations and they all caught. I enjoyed your family and hope to see you again

  • Sean Henzie
    Sean Henzie
    Repeat angler
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2024
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Striper Trip

    4 hour back bay charter • 2 adults

    Captain has nice gear and is very knowledgeable. He put us on the fish with quality drifts. A lot of boats around us but we were the only ones catching! Would recommend!

    Reported catch:
    Striped Bass
    Response from Captain

    it doesn’t hurt to have good anglers. I truly enjoyed watching Jeremy catching fish and you being a great concervationist. lol!!

  • Srebrina Diandrea
    Srebrina Diandrea
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Stephan

    3 hr back bay fishing • 3 adults

Real catches shared by our community

  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    An angler proudly displaying a large Flounder while enjoying a day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Flounder
    The water is warming and the big fluke are lurking in the back bay. Also big stripers are eating eels.
  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    Two anglers aboard a boat celebrating a catch, showcasing a small fish in a scenic fishing environment.
    Sean S.
    Sean S.
    Setting out with Captain Stephan, someone who has fished these waters since 1978, we knew we were in great hands. Flexible, kind, fun and humorous in his approach, this trip was excellent on every level. Captain Stephan gave us history, equipment, bait and worked as captain and mate! And it was no easy task, as between the 4 of us (my wife & 2 teen children), we pulled in 71 fish in a 3-hour span! It was an exciting and action-packed AM but never felt rushed, pressured or frantic. The ease of the bay along with the best captain in the area, it was a memory we will never forget. Hoping to get back to the area this Fall to hit some stripers with Captain Stephan again. Don’t hesitate-book a trip with him. You won’t regret it at all! Can’t wait to do it again.
  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    A young boy in a life jacket proudly holds a Flounder while fishing with an adult on a boat, showcasing a successful catch during a family outing.
    Fish 1
    Flounder
    Colleen O.
    Colleen O.
  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    Adult angler posing on a fishing boat while holding a large black sea bass against an open-water backdrop.
    Fish 1
    Black Seabass
    David W.
    David W.
    Super knowledgeable and experienced Captain and a helpful 1st mate who knew the right gear and location to catch fish made this trip a memorable one w over 50 fish caught, 10 of which were keepers! Highly recommend Captain Stephan!! Awesome time!!
  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    Two adult anglers work a fishing rig from a boat over calm open water, with rods and tackle visible during an active offshore fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Black Seabass
    Brian O.
    Brian O.
    Captain Steve really knows what he’s doing and is a lot of fun. Conditions weren’t great but he really went out of his way to get us something.
  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    Adult angler holds a small fish aboard an offshore fishing charter boat while a young family member watches nearby.
    Fish 1
    Black Rockfish
    Christina M.
    Christina M.
    Had a great day, kids and adults alike. Captain Steve made it a day to remember ALWAYS. We caught some fish got some sun and made new memories!
  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    A group of five anglers proudly displaying their catch, including a large Mahi Mahi and several smaller fish, aboard a fishing boat in a vibrant marina setting.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Gary F.
    Gary F.
    Good day with a good captain everyone had a good time and everyone caught at least 2 fish would definitely book another trip with captain stephan
  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    Group of four adult anglers posing aboard a fishing boat underway, with open deck seating and ocean wake visible behind them.
    Paul E.
    Paul E.
    Captain Steve is probably the best captain I have ever had the privilege of fishing with. He went above and beyond working the wrecks for us to maximize our catching. Our party must have caught over 150 sea bass and we came close to our limit of keepers (40 for the 4 of us). The Free Spirit is a super comfortable and spacious. The four of us plus the Capt had smoke room on the deck and inside the cabin. This made the day much more enjoyable. I learned that Capt Steve's specialty is Canyon tuna trips and I will most likely be booking him again for that. Thank you Captain Steve for a excellent day! We look forward to fishing with you again shortly.
  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    A variety of fish displayed on a cleaning table at the dock, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Black Seabass
    The sea bass seAson re opens this thursday. The wrecks are covered with them since we couldnt fish for them for 6 weeks. Now is the time to load the boat. limit of 10 a person of great fun and super table fare. Book now. Also, starting in mid November-STRIPED BASS!!!!! Book now so you dont miss out. Full day inshore trip is the ticket.
  • It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ
    It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJMargate City, NJ
    A group of four anglers enjoying a day on the water, seated inside the boat with fishing gear visible, showcasing a fun family outing.
    Robert G.
    Robert G.
    Enjoyed a 3 generation 1/2 day fishing trip with Freespirit Fishing. Captain Steve made the trip an overall wonderful experience. Caught some really nice fluke and the weather was great. We will be back !!

What's biting with It’ll do sportfishing Margate NJ in Margate City

Temperatures have cooled down a lot but Tautog and Seabass fishing remains hot! November is also a great time to target Striped Bass and Winter Flounder.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

An angler proudly displaying a large Flounder while enjoying a day on the water.

Fluke are here!

May 6, 2025 • Margate City
The water is warming and the big fluke are lurking in the back bay. Also big stripers are eating eels.
Show more
A variety of fish displayed on a cleaning table at the dock, showcasing a successful fishing trip.

Sea bass opens 10/8 . Hreat fishing and

Oct 7, 2020 • Margate City
The sea bass seAson re opens this thursday. The wrecks are covered with them since we couldnt fish for them for 6 weeks. Now is the time to load the boat. limit of 10 a person of great fun and super table fare. Book now. Also, starting in mid November-STRIPED BASS!!!!! Book now so you dont miss out. Full day inshore trip is the ticket.
Show more
Two anglers engaged in fishing on a boat, casting lines into the open water under a cloudy sky.

The season is coming on! Come see me at

Dec 6, 2019 • Margate City
Here are some shots from the last fishing we did in December for striped bass. This Spring starting in April, I will be fishing for tautog (blackfish), and then in May the great Black drum fishing from Cape May. I will be at the Raymarine booth at the AC SBoat Show from February 26- March 1. Stop and see me and we can talk fishing!
Show more

Dan and crew kicked some Boomer butt!

May 9, 2019 • Margate City
Dan Mozgow and his crew came on board to try the Black Drum that they had never caught. They ended up with 5 nice fish, 4 of which were 50# + fish!Several of the guys caught the bigest fish they had ever caught! Nothing wrong with that!
Show more