Hey there, fellow anglers! Ready to chase some hard-fighting tuna without venturing too far from the Jersey shore? This full-day inshore tuna trip with Jordi Sport Fishing is your ticket to epic battles and coolers full of prime sushi-grade fish. We'll be cruising 12 to 25 miles out, right where the action heats up. Trust me, once you feel that first run from a yellowfin, you'll be hooked for life.
We'll kick things off early, loading up the boat with all the gear you need for a day of tuna fishing. As we cruise out of the inlet, keep your eyes peeled for diving birds and surface activity – telltale signs of feeding tuna. Once we hit the fishing grounds, it's game on. We'll use a mix of techniques to put you on the fish, from trolling spreads of ballyhoo to casting topwater poppers into frenzied schools. When the bite is hot, we might even drop some butterfly jigs down deep. The crew's got years of experience chasing these speedsters, so you're in good hands whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro.
Alright, let's break down how we'll be fishing. Trolling is the bread and butter of tuna fishing, covering lots of water to find the schools. We'll pull a spread of lures and rigged baits, mimicking the baitfish tuna love to munch on. When we mark fish on the sonar or spot birds working, it's time for some run-and-gun action. We'll race over, shut down the engines, and start casting topwater lures or live baits. There's nothing quite like watching a tuna explode on a popper – it'll get your heart racing every time. If the fish are holding deep, we might switch to jigging, dropping heavy lures down and working them back up with a fast retrieve. It's a workout, but man, is it effective. The best part? This trip is flexible, so we can focus on whatever technique is working best that day.
Our anglers have been crushing it lately, with some real smokers coming over the rails. Just last week, Mike from Philly battled a 120-pound yellowfin for over an hour – talk about an arm-burner! And let's not forget about Sarah's double-header on butterfly jigs – two 60-pound class bluefin at once had the whole boat cheering. Even on slower days, we've been finding good numbers of footballs (smaller tuna) that are perfect for the grill. The mahi mahi fishing on the way home has been on fire too, adding some variety to the fish boxes.
Yellowfin Tuna: These torpedoes are the main event on our inshore trips. Known for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics, yellowfin will test your stamina and gear to the limit. They typically range from 30 to 100 pounds in our waters, with bigger specimens always a possibility. Yellowfin love to hunt in schools, so when we find them, hold on tight – double and triple hookups are common!
Bluefin Tuna: The heavyweights of the tuna world, bluefin are the ultimate prize for many anglers. While we don't target the giants on our inshore trips, we often encounter school-sized bluefin in the 30 to 80-pound range. These fish are pure muscle and will make you earn every inch of line. The best part? They're seasonal visitors to our waters, with peak action typically in the late spring and early fall.
Albacore Tuna: Don't let their smaller size fool you – these "longfin" tuna punch well above their weight class. Averaging 15 to 30 pounds, albies are speed demons that will smoke your drag and leave your arms burning. They're a blast on light tackle and make for some of the best eating in the tuna family. We usually find them mixed in with the yellowfin schools or busting bait on the surface.
Mahi Mahi: Also known as dorado or dolphinfish, these colorful acrobats are a welcome bonus on any tuna trip. We often find them around floating debris or weedlines on the ride home. Mahi are incredible fighters, known for their wild leaps and sudden direction changes. They're also delicious, with firm white meat that's perfect for fish tacos. Sizes typically range from 5 to 20 pounds, with larger "gaffers" always a possibility.
Look, I've been running these trips for years, and I never get tired of seeing the looks on people's faces when that first tuna screams off line. There's just something special about being out here, surrounded by nothing but blue water and the hum of the engines. One minute it's calm, the next it's chaos as rods bend and drags sing. And let's not forget about the eating – whether you're into sashimi or prefer your tuna grilled, you can't beat the freshness of fish you caught yourself. Plus, with a limit of just 6 guests, you're guaranteed plenty of action and one-on-one attention from the crew. It's the perfect mix of relaxation and adrenaline-pumping excitement.
Alright, folks, if you're still reading this, I know you're itching to get out there and tangle with some tuna. Whether you're looking to check "catch a tuna" off your bucket list or you're a seasoned angler wanting to hone your offshore skills, this trip has got you covered. Remember, we can customize the length to fit your schedule, and with the added bonus of mahi fishing on the way home, you're in for a full day of rod-bending action. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait to book. Give us a call, and let's get you hooked up with some of New Jersey's hardest-fighting fish. Trust me, once you feel that first run, you'll be planning your next trip before we even hit the dock. See you on the water!
Albacore tuna are smaller but feisty members of the tuna family, usually 15-30 pounds. Look for them in deeper offshore waters, often traveling in large schools. They're most common in late summer and fall as they follow warmer currents. Anglers love albacore for their hard strikes and tasty white meat - the only tuna sold as "white meat tuna." To catch them, troll small lures like cedar plugs or feathers behind the boat. Once you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish quickly. A good trick is to keep a hooked fish in the water to hold the school near the boat. Albacore fight hard for their size, making blistering runs on light tackle. Their mild flavor is great for grilling or sushi. Remember, albacore are constantly swimming, so keep your trolling speed up to trigger strikes.
Bluefin tuna are the heavyweight champions of the tuna world. They average 6-7 feet and 500+ pounds but can reach a massive 1,000+ pounds. Find them in cold to temperate waters from the surface down to 3,000 feet deep. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they migrate. Bluefin are the ultimate trophy - incredibly powerful, smart, and valuable as sushi. Expect long battles that can last hours. To catch them, slow troll live bait like mackerel or herring, or try chunking at night. When you see them busting bait on top, cast poppers or stick baits. A local tip: use circle hooks to increase hook-ups and help with conservation. Remember, bluefin are strictly regulated - know the current limits before targeting them. The fight and taste make bluefin a bucket list fish for many anglers.
Mahi Mahi are colorful, fast-growing fish that put up a great fight. They typically range from 15-30 pounds but can get up to 60+ pounds. Look for them near floating debris or weedlines about 12-25 miles offshore. They're most active in warmer months from late spring through fall. Mahi are popular targets because of their acrobatic jumps, beautiful colors, and excellent table fare. To catch them, troll with ballyhoo or small lures that mimic flying fish. Once you hook one, keep the boat moving - the school will often follow. When you see them, cast light jigs or live bait into the school. Mahi hit hard and make blistering runs, so be ready for an exciting battle on lighter tackle. Their mild, sweet flavor makes for some of the best eating around, whether grilled, blackened or as sushi.
Yellowfin tuna are powerful, torpedo-shaped fish that can reach 400+ pounds, though 40-100 pounders are more common catches. Find them in the upper 100 meters of warm offshore waters, often near temperature breaks or structure. They're available year-round but fishing peaks in summer and fall. Anglers love yellowfin for their hard-fighting ability - expect long runs and deep dives that will test your gear and stamina. Their meat is prized for sushi and steaks. To target them, look for birds working bait schools and troll spreader bars, ballyhoo, or cedar plugs. When you mark fish deep, try jigging or chunking to bring them up. A local trick is using light leaders and small hooks - yellowfin can be leader shy. Be ready for explosive topwater strikes too if you spot them busting bait on the surface.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 60
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 350