World-Class Tuna Fishing in Cape May, NJ

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

Cape May
$800 - $3,300 price range

Summary

Ready for a serious offshore adventure? Join Common Sense Sportfishing for a 12-hour tuna trip out of Cape May, NJ. We leave early – around 3 am – to make the most of prime fishing time. You'll be out on the water for 14-15 hours total, giving us plenty of time to hit the best spots in the local canyons. Our crew knows these waters inside and out, and we'll use every trick in the book to put you on the fish. While tuna's the main target, you might also hook into mahi-mahi, marlin, wahoo, or tilefish. With room for 6 guests, there's space to move around and everyone gets their shot at landing a trophy. It's a long day, but trust us – when you're reeling in big pelagics, time flies. Bring your A-game and get ready for some world-class offshore action.

World-Class Tuna Fishing in Cape May, NJ

Offshore Tuna Action

Cape May fishing done right

Blackfin Tuna fish caught while fishing in NJ

Summer bites in Cape May

Big fish days on Jersey coast

Three striped bass caught fishing in Cape May

Hooked up in Cape May waters

Tuna Tango: 12-Hour Offshore Adventure in Cape May

Ready to chase some serious pelagics? Our 12-hour offshore tuna trip out of Cape May is the real deal. We're talking pre-dawn starts, runs to the canyons, and a full day of targeting the big boys. This ain't your standard half-day charter - we're in it for the long haul, giving you the best shot at hooking into yellowfin, bigeye, and maybe even a wahoo or marlin along the way. Whether you're a seasoned offshore angler or looking to step up your game, Captain Clint and the crew at Common Sense Sportfishing have got you covered.

What's the Gameplan?

We kick things off early - like, really early. Be at the dock by 3 AM because those tuna aren't going to catch themselves. We'll steam out to the productive grounds, typically hitting one of the local canyons where the big fish hang out. This is a marathon, not a sprint, so we'll be out there for a solid 12 hours of fishing time, getting you back to the dock between 5 and 5:30 PM. That's plenty of time to work different spots, switch up tactics, and maximize your chances at a cooler full of sushi-grade tuna.

Tactics for Tuna

Offshore fishing is a whole different ballgame, and we've got all the plays. We'll likely start off trolling at first light, dragging a spread of ballyhoo and artificial lures to cover water and locate the fish. Once we find a good concentration, we might switch to chunking - drifting with a chum slick and live baits to bring the tuna to us. For the seasoned anglers, we can even break out the popping gear for some heart-pounding topwater action. Throughout the day, we'll keep our eyes peeled for temperature breaks, bird activity, and any signs that could lead us to the motherlode.

Reel Talk from Happy Anglers

"Me and 5 family members went out for black seas bass, the trip was very successful and we had a great time. The captain and first mate were very helpful and gave tips and advice as we fished. Highly recommend." - Quintin Bailey

"Landed plenty of sea bass throughout the trip! The captain and first mate were super helpful, always ready with tips and guidance. All around, a great day on the water!" - Quintin

"What a fun trip! We got into a bunch of Bonita—nonstop action once Captain Clint put us on the spot. The bites just kept coming! Kyle was incredibly helpful and on top of everything we needed. If you get the chance, don't miss out on fishing with Captain Clint and Kyle!" - Chris

The Offshore All-Stars

Bigeye Tuna: These bruisers are the heavyweight champs of our canyons. Bigeyes can push well over 200 pounds, and they fight like their life depends on it - because it does. They tend to bite better in the dark, which is why we get out there early. Nothing beats the scream of the reel when one of these bad boys decides your bait looks tasty.

Mahi Mahi: Also known as dorado or dolphinfish, these acrobatic fighters are a welcome addition to any offshore trip. They're fast-growing and abundant, often found near floating debris or weedlines. Mahi put on an aerial show when hooked and are absolutely delicious on the grill. Their vivid colors - electric blues, greens, and yellows - will have you reaching for your camera.

Atlantic Goldeneye Tilefish: When the surface bite slows, we might drop down deep for these tasty bottom-dwellers. Goldeneyes hang out in depths from 600 to 1,400 feet, usually over mud or clay bottom. They're prized for their firm, white flesh and mild flavor. Catching these deep-water denizens is a test of your arm strength and patience.

Wahoo: Speed demons of the open ocean, wahoo are like the cheetahs of the sea. They're not as common as tuna, but when we hook one, hold on tight! Wahoo can rip line off your reel at blistering speeds and make incredible table fare. Their long, sleek bodies and tiger-striped pattern make them one of the prettiest fish in the ocean.

Yellowcheek Wrasse: While not a primary target on our offshore trips, yellowcheek wrasse might make an appearance if we stop over a reef or structure. These colorful reef dwellers are fun to catch on light tackle and can provide some action during slower periods. Their striking patterns and hues make them a favorite among underwater photographers.

Last Cast - Book Your Spot!

Look, if you're serious about landing some quality offshore fish, this is the trip for you. We've got the know-how, the gear, and the determination to put you on the fish. With 12 full hours on the water, you're giving yourself the best shot at a memorable day and a cooler full of premium fillets. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak tuna season, so don't wait. Give us a call, lock in your date, and get ready for some rod-bending, drag-screaming action in the canyons off Cape May. Trust me, once you've felt the pull of a 100-pound tuna, you'll be hooked for life.

Customer Reviews

Bass Bonanza Voyage

Me and 5 family members went out for black seas bass, the trip was very successful and we had a great time. The captain and first mate were very helpful and gave tips and advice as we fished. Highly recommend.

Quintin Bailey Bailey

June 8, 2025

Sea Bass Sensation

Landed plenty of sea bass throughout the trip! The captain and first mate were super helpful, always ready with tips and guidance. All around, a great day on the water!

Quintin B

June 7, 2025

Bonita Blitz

What a fun trip! We got into a bunch of Bonita—nonstop action once Captain Clint put us on the spot. The bites just kept coming! Kyle was incredibly helpful and on top of everything we needed. If you get the chance, don’t miss out on fishing with Captain Clint and Kyle!

Chris N

August 2, 2024

Learn more about the species

Atlantic Goldeneye Tilefish

Wahoo are the speed demons of the ocean. These streamlined fish can hit 60 mph in short bursts. They typically run 30-50 pounds but can get up to 100 or more. You'll find them in the warm offshore waters, often near drop-offs and underwater structures. Wahoo are prized for their tasty white meat and their blistering runs when hooked. They're not schooling fish, so we usually troll at high speeds to cover water and trigger strikes. Late summer and fall are prime wahoo season here when the water's warmest. These guys have razor-sharp teeth, so we always use wire leaders. One trick is to use bright-colored lures and troll them fast - wahoo can't resist chasing down what looks like fleeing prey. When one hits, hang on tight!

Bigeye Tuna

Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish

Mahi mahi are one of the most colorful fish you'll see out here. They usually run 15-30 pounds but can get up to 50 or more. You'll spot them near floating debris and weed lines in the warm offshore waters. These guys are fast growers and voracious eaters, which makes for some exciting fishing. They're known for their acrobatic jumps and hard runs when hooked. The meat is mild and delicious too, great for grilling. We tend to catch more mahi in the warmer months from late spring through early fall. One tip: if you hook one, keep it in the water. Others will often follow it up to the boat, giving you a shot at multiple fish. Tossing out some cut bait can keep a school hanging around too. Just be ready for some chaos when they start biting!

Wahoo Fish

Atlantic goldeneye tilefish are bottom-dwellers you'll find in deeper offshore waters, usually 300-900 feet down. They're not huge, averaging 5-15 pounds, but they put up a good fight for their size. These fish have a distinctive golden eye and colorful markings. You'll often find them near rocky areas or clay ledges on the sea floor. Tilefish are prized for their sweet, flaky white meat - some folks call them the "poor man's lobster." We typically target them year-round, using heavy bottom rigs with cut bait or squid. One local trick is to look for areas with lots of small burrows in the bottom on your fish finder - tilefish like to dig homes in the clay. Once you find a good spot, you can often catch several before moving on. Just be ready to crank that reel - it's a long way up from the bottom!

Yellowcheek Wrasse

Bigeye tuna are hefty fighters, typically weighing 200-400 pounds when mature. You'll find them in the warm temperate waters offshore, hanging out anywhere from the surface down to about 800 feet deep. These guys have a unique ability to regulate their body temperature, letting them dive deeper than other tuna species to hunt. That means we often target them at dawn or dusk when they come up to feed. Bigeyes put up an incredible fight and their rich, fatty meat is prized for sashimi. The best time to fish for them here is late summer through fall when the water's warmest. If you're after a trophy, I'd recommend using large lures in dark colors and trolling just before sunset. These tuna have excellent eyesight, so dim light conditions tend to produce the best bites.

About the Common Sense Sportfishing

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Cummins

Maximum Cruising Speed: 26

Number of Engines: 2

Horsepower per Engine: 370

Get ready for an epic day of offshore fishing with Common Sense Sportfishing in Cape May, NJ! Our 12-hour tuna trips pack in the action from start to finish. We'll head out around 3 am and return between 5-5:30 pm, giving you plenty of time to reel in the big ones. We're talking tuna, mahi-mahi, marlin, wahoo, and tilefish – the works! Our seasoned crew knows all the hotspots in the local canyons and will use every trick in the book to help you land that trophy catch. With a full 14-15 hours on the water, we'll make sure you get the most out of your day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to offshore fishing, our team will be there every step of the way to ensure you have a blast and hopefully bring home some impressive fish stories (and dinner). Don't forget your camera – this is one fishing trip you'll want to remember!

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