What is a NJ Private Fishing Charter?

• With a NJ Private Fishing Charter, you have the boat exclusively for yourself or your own group up to 3 or 4 adult guests. Plus, we can allow up to (2) kids can be added for no extra fee, depending on the fishing season being targeted. Targeted fishing seasons are as follows; maximum is (3) adult guests for Striped Bass Charters and (4) adult guests for Flounder Fishing Charters.

What is a NJ Shared Open Boat Fishing Charter?

• A NJ Shared Open Boat Fishing Charters is designed for individuals for all skill levels to fish with other individuals they do not know. The cost for the shared open boat fishing charter trip is divided equally to the portion of the private fishing charter costs. These shared open boat charters allow you to sign on as an individual or just pay the remaining portion of the private charter fare rate. A minimum of 2 adult guests required for a Shared open boat fishing charter to run with a maximum of 3 or 4 adult guests per shared open boat fishing charter depending on fishing season targeted. Targeted fishing seasons are as follows; maximum is (3) adult guests for Striped Bass Charters and (4) adult guests for Flounder Fishing Charters. If there are remaining unused spots on the fishing charter, the remaining unpurchased spots will be divided equally to the portion of the private fishing charter costs.

When is the best time of the year for a Trophy Striped Bass Fishing Charter?

• Great question, in general the best time to book a striper charter is late October through the end of November for the fall run, and April to early June for the Spring migration. Trophy Striped Bass are usually caught and released during that time period, but weather, wind, tide, and moon phases do play a major factor catching them. Striper season is our Captain’s favorite time to fish.

Are Life Jackets required on Fishing Charters or Boats? Do they need to be worn?

• Yes, a life jacket is required to be on board for each passenger on the boat, while it is underway. Fishin Minions, LLC current boat capacity is for 10 persons, and we currently carry enough USCG approved PFD to satisfy the capacity requirement, even though we only take up to 4 adult guests plus our mate and captain for fishing charters.

• The State of New Jersey requires all children under 12 years of age to wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Please contact us to let us know the child’s weight if you do not have a USCG approved lifejacket for the child, and we will provide one for him or her.

• During the summer months, adult life jackets are not required to be worn, but highly suggested, that they are worn. We do recommend it and will provide any adult guest a life jacket for entirety of the fishing charter if they choose.

• During the winter months the State of New Jersey requires between November 1st and May 1st, each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened United States Coast Guard-approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size, while such vessel is underway.

• In short, a USCG approved life jacket is required to be worn at all times, outside of a cabin on a boat under 26 feet during the cold-water months, while in motion, from November 1st to May 1st.

Will I get seasick? If you are unsure about your sea legs, here are a few suggestions.

1. Consult your physician, before your fishing charter trip to see if you can take Dramamine or other motion sickness medicine, then follow the directions precisely listed by your physician.

2. Before your Fishing Charter, try not to eat overly greasy foods, that breakfast sausage could come back to haunt you. We suggest bringing some plain Crackers or Saltines, and Ginger Ale, as they could help settle your stomach if you feel nauseous, but no guarantees they will.

3. One of the best preventatives that we have seen to prevent motion or sea sickness is the wristbands they sell in most drug stores. They are called Sea-Bands, and you just simply wear them on your wrists and align pressure points as directed on the package. No medicine involved here, no drowsiness or other side effects, and they really do work. We do carry them on board for our clients to use during our fishing charter. We can provide them for use, if you would like before we leave the dock, but please remember to return them to us after we finish your fishing charter.    

What happens if it rains? 

• We will still go out in light rain and other moderate weather conditions. If the weather is severe and we have to cancel, you can reschedule for another trip or receive a credit for a future event. If it’s a rainy day, please dress appropriately, ponchos are recommended.

What type of fish will we catch during our NJ Fishin Minions Fishing Charter?

•  It depends on the current year regulations and guidelines, which were put into effect by both the Federal Government (NOAA Fisheries) and the State of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife (NJ DEP).

• Also, the season and the time of year, helps determine what type of fish we will be targeting on our New Jersey Fishing Charters.

• Our typical catches throughout the year include Striped Bass (Stripers), Summer Flounder (Fluke), Black Sea Bass, Snapper Bluefish or Gator Bluefish, Weakfish (Sea Trout), Black Fish (Tautog), Spots, Blowfish, False Albacore, Tuna, or Puppy Drums.

Do I Need a fishing license to fish Saltwater on your NJ Fishing Charter?

No, we currently have a registered Captain for Hire License with the State of New Jersey, which enables us to take out our passengers and clientele for the whole year, eliminating our clients from having to register with the State of New Jersey, if they choose not to register!

You will not need to get your own license or Registry Card in order to participate in fishing activities, during one of our New Jersey Fishing Charters.

However, if you do want to register for your own Saltwater Fishing Registry Card, it is free for the year. This can be completed at the following website NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. Follow the instruction on the page for the first time registering, renewing for next year, or reprinting lost license or Saltwater Fishing Registry Cards, after reading through the page, simply click the Blue Register button.

This does pertain to all Individual saltwater anglers ages 16 and older MUST register if ANY of the following criteria are met outside of those fishing on one of our NJ Fishing Charters:

• Recreationally fish with a hand line or rod and line, spearfish or fish by hand

• Recreationally fish in the marine and fresh tidal waters of the State of New Jersey

• Recreationally fish in marine waters outside the State of New Jersey but land the catch in New Jersey