Fresh New Jersey Fishing Reports

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Badfish Charters – Ocean City NJ Fishing
Badfish Charters – Ocean City NJ Fishing
March 27, 2026
Badfish Charters – Ocean City NJ Fishing Report | Spring 2026 Captain Brian Williams | Somers Point, NJ | Serving Ocean City, Avalon, Sea Isle City & the South Jersey Shore Spring is here and the fishing is heating up fast along the South Jersey coast. Badfish Charters is now running full trips out of Somers Point, NJ, and the bite is on across the board — back bay, inshore flats, and the nearshore ocean. Striped Bass are the story right now. The spring striped bass run is underway on the Great Egg Harbor Bay flats, and we're seeing fish on every trip. Badfish Charters is the only full-time charter in the Ocean City NJ area offering dedicated daytime and nighttime striped bass fishing using light-tackle artificial lures and fly fishing techniques. All striped bass trips are catch-and-release — these fish are a treasure worth protecting, and we do our part every time we leave the dock. Back Bay Fishing in the Great Egg Harbor Estuary is firing up as water temps rise. We're already seeing Tautog moving in along the backwater structure, holding tight to the docks and pilings. As we push into late spring, expect bluefish, sheepshead, and Flounder to round out the action. The back bay Flounder trips are our most beginner-friendly and family-friendly option — all rods, reels, bait, and tackle are provided, and no fishing experience is necessary. Ocean and Nearshore Fishing picks up big in June thru September. We run out to the coastal wrecks and reefs up to 15 miles offshore, targeting sea bass, flounder, Spanish mackerel, false albacore, and summer sharks. The structure off the South Jersey coast holds fish all season long, and our nearshore trips are one of the best-kept secrets on the Jersey Shore. Why book with Badfish Charters? We run private trips only — your group never shares the boat with strangers. Captain Brian Williams has been fishing these waters his entire life and has been featured in national fishing publications and on Discovery, ESPN, World Fishing Network, and NBC Sports. He's not just going to put you on fish — he's going to teach you how to read the water, work the tides, and fish like a local. We're located at 680 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ — just minutes from Ocean City, Margate, Longport, Atlantic City, Sea Isle City, and Avalon. Trips run March through Late December with 4, 5, and 6-hour options available. Now booking for 2026. Dates are filling fast — don't wait. Spring is here and the fishing is heating up fast along the South Jersey coast. Badfish Charters is now running full trips out of Somers Point, NJ, and the bite is on . Striped Bass are the story right now. The spring striped bass run is underway on the Great Egg Harbor Bay. Badfish Charters is the only full-time charter in the Ocean City NJ area offering dedicated daytime and nighttime striped bass fishing using light-tackle artificial lures and fly fishing techniques. All striped bass trips are catch-and-release — these fish are a treasure worth protecting, and we do our part every time we leave the dock.
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What anglers said about fishing in New Jersey

If you want to be on the striper I would recommend going a little bit earlier in the season. It was pretty cold in the morning so I wouldn’t recommend for kids.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you want to be on the striper I would recommend going a little bit earlier in the season. It was pretty cold in the morning so I wouldn’t recommend for kids.
Smoke n’ Reel
Smoke n’ Reel
In October going on a charter fishing trip to catch sea bass is worth it. It was brisk but not too cold and it was choppy but not too crazy. There is no bad weather - only bad clothing. We had a blast.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
In October going on a charter fishing trip to catch sea bass is worth it. It was brisk but not too cold and it was choppy but not too crazy. There is no bad weather - only bad clothing. We had a blast.
Captain Mac
Captain Mac
Although we had great luck with the weather, October can be iffy. The day before our October 21st trip would have been quite uncomfortable due to high winds (high winds = rough seas). Also, there are limited species still in season at that time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Although we had great luck with the weather, October can be iffy. The day before our October 21st trip would have been quite uncomfortable due to high winds (high winds = rough seas). Also, there are limited species still in season at that time.
The Grateful Fred Charters
The Grateful Fred Charters
Prepare for varied weather conditions and allow Capt. Syd to guide and provide the best opportunity for success.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Prepare for varied weather conditions and allow Capt. Syd to guide and provide the best opportunity for success.
Mod Squad Charters
Mod Squad Charters
If you are looking to a specific catch, find out ahead what you are allowed to fish.
Very good
4.0 / 5
If you are looking to a specific catch, find out ahead what you are allowed to fish.
Canyon Eagle III Private trips
Canyon Eagle III Private trips
If you desire to go offshore sport fishing see the crew of the Common Sense. Thet are willing to exhort the effort to see you get your moneys worth
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you desire to go offshore sport fishing see the crew of the Common Sense. Thet are willing to exhort the effort to see you get your moneys worth
Common Sense Sportfishing
Common Sense Sportfishing
Go out on a small group charter instead of a big party boat. You’ll catch more fish, learn more, and have a better experience.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go out on a small group charter instead of a big party boat. You’ll catch more fish, learn more, and have a better experience.
A-Bomb Fishing Charters
A-Bomb Fishing Charters
Plenty of options! For bay, inshore, offshore, overnight, don’t be shy. Book a trip, you’ll love. Lots of experienced captains, 10, 20,30 years experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Plenty of options! For bay, inshore, offshore, overnight, don’t be shy. Book a trip, you’ll love. Lots of experienced captains, 10, 20,30 years experience
Mod Squad Charters
Mod Squad Charters
there is a very wide variety of different species of fish in these waters,
Excellent
5.0 / 5
there is a very wide variety of different species of fish in these waters,
Jessie James Charters
Jessie James Charters
Been on many charters along the East Coast and the Caribbean . You get Skunked, You catch some You lose some. Remember the memories on the trip. Sent 5 kids out 1 is an experience fisher. Prime Time ll Finds the fish. They’ll be back.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Been on many charters along the East Coast and the Caribbean . You get Skunked, You catch some You lose some. Remember the memories on the trip. Sent 5 kids out 1 is an experience fisher. Prime Time ll Finds the fish. They’ll be back.
Prime Time II Sport Fishing
Prime Time II Sport Fishing
Try a shark trip but make sure you’re rested up before you go. They are huge
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Try a shark trip but make sure you’re rested up before you go. They are huge
Prime Time II Sport Fishing
Prime Time II Sport Fishing
The inland waters in these parts hold a lot fluke and it never gets rough so if you want a chill day but full of action then this is it with this captain it’s perfect for two people.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The inland waters in these parts hold a lot fluke and it never gets rough so if you want a chill day but full of action then this is it with this captain it’s perfect for two people.
Chasing Tails Charters LLC
Chasing Tails Charters LLC
Highly recommend for a fun, family-friendly adventure. Plenty of fishing action to keep our kids, age 10-15, excited and engaged for a 4 hour charter. Highly recommend JP charters for a great day out on the water!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Highly recommend for a fun, family-friendly adventure. Plenty of fishing action to keep our kids, age 10-15, excited and engaged for a 4 hour charter. Highly recommend JP charters for a great day out on the water!
JP Charters
JP Charters
There are so many snags from the shore that a trip on a charter was more than worth it
Excellent
5.0 / 5
There are so many snags from the shore that a trip on a charter was more than worth it
Logos Guide Service
Logos Guide Service
If going deep sea remember the boat will sway and so.e may get a bit queasy. Take along some ginger ale, or some Gatorade.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If going deep sea remember the boat will sway and so.e may get a bit queasy. Take along some ginger ale, or some Gatorade.
Twrecks Charters, LLC
Twrecks Charters, LLC
Understand the open water can change in a moments notice and plans may need to be altered.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Understand the open water can change in a moments notice and plans may need to be altered.
Celtic Stoirm Charters
Celtic Stoirm Charters
Captain Bill on Fishin Minions was great he put us on the fish and we ended up catching 24 Summer Flounders and 3 Croakers. Our biggest fluke was 22". It was a great day on the water and will be hard to forget about. We look forward to taking another trip with them.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Captain Bill on Fishin Minions was great he put us on the fish and we ended up catching 24 Summer Flounders and 3 Croakers. Our biggest fluke was 22". It was a great day on the water and will be hard to forget about. We look forward to taking another trip with them.
Fishin Minions
Fishin Minions Camden, New Jersey
Drinks. Lots of hydration. Snacks will also help, especially with kids. And bring ice in your cooler if you need to drive home any distance more than a few minutes
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Drinks. Lots of hydration. Snacks will also help, especially with kids. And bring ice in your cooler if you need to drive home any distance more than a few minutes
Treemendous Sportfishing Charters
Treemendous Sportfishing Charters
Talk to a Captain and see what is best for time of year and what you want to experience.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Talk to a Captain and see what is best for time of year and what you want to experience.
Flyin' Hawaiian Charters – New Jersey
Flyin' Hawaiian Charters – New Jersey
Book on a perfect weather Monday with your group. We had the huge boat to ourselves and got very lucky with weather.!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book on a perfect weather Monday with your group. We had the huge boat to ourselves and got very lucky with weather.!
Purple Jet  6 - 60 Passengers
Purple Jet 6 - 60 Passengers