After a long winter in the Northeast we look forward to the arrival of migrating Shad and Striped Bass right here in our backyard. Both American Shad and Striped Bass live in saltwater but return to the Delaware River every Spring to spawn. These trips are a great way to introduce children to the sport as the waters are calm and the fish are plentiful and big!

The Spring Striped Bass migration is the most anticipated season on our fishing calendar. June offers you the best chance at catching a Striper over 50 lbs every time you're on the water. We will be fishing aboard Archangel, my 23' Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman which is moored in Belmar, NJ. We will employ a number of tactics to catch trophy sized bass including live lining Bunker, casting topwater pencil poppers, swimmers, jigs, etc. Most of our clients catch the biggest fish of their lives during the spring run, that's why this has become our bread and butter.

Duration
All trips are “full day” trips (6-7 hours) and unless otherwise agreed upon we will leave the dock at sunrise, (which varies of course depending on the time of year).

Gratuity
Please do not forget to tip your mate! Your mate works for tips. It is customary to tip the mate at least 15% to 20% of your ticketed price after the fishing trip. It is not necessary to tip the Captain but if you want to buy me a beer afterwards I will totally drink it.

Lodging
If you are traveling from out of town I can help you arrange your travel and hotel accommodations. This will vary depending on time of year and where we will be fishing.

Seasickness
Please pay attention as this is very important to us. Seasickness is an unfortunate reality even for the most seasoned angler. If you are not absolutely positive that you have your sea legs, I highly encourage you to by non-drowsy seasickness pills, patches, or whatever you are comfortable with. Too many times we have customers travel in from far away, pay for airfare, rental car, hotel rooms, only to fall ill with “mal de mer” . Seasickness is an awful feeling and we are out there first and foremost to have fun. If you take the necessary precautions beforehand this will be a non-issue. Trust me when I tell you that is totally worth it, I want our day on the water to be a memorable experience for the right reasons!

Additional anglers
For Spring and Fall Striped Bass trips a 3rd angler can come along for an additional $100 on the price of the fare.

Other things to keep in mind:
Weather is always a factor when fishing; sometimes the nastiest conditions produce the best bite. If you are traveling from outside of the area I will check local forecasts and help you decide a couple of days in advance whether rescheduling might be the best option if conditions appear to be unsafe or unfishable. I will always put your safety first. It is recommended that you allow yourself an extra day in our area before you book your return flight and hotel.

Dress appropriately, especially for any early or late season trips. Sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended to help you stay comfortable on the water. You should bring foul weather gear (raincoat, rain pants, gloves, and waterproof boots) in case of wet conditions.

You are encouraged to bring your own food and drinks on the boat but please try and limit what you bring aboard. Small coolers for food and drinks are no problem and also bring a small cooler to leave in your car for bringing home fillets at the end of the trip. My mate will clean and fillet your catch at the dock following the trip.

All rods, reels, bait and tackle will be provided by me and included in the price of your trip. I only use the best equipment, Shimano rods and reels and Hi-Seas fishing line and terminal tackle. If you would like to bring your favorite rod and reel that is encouraged as well.

A positive attitude. It is amazing how far this will get you. A good fisherman remains optimistic when faced with tough conditions. Anyone who has spent a lot of time on the water will tell you that things can change in an instant. A slow bite can change very quickly into a banner day, and sometimes slower days produce your trophy fish of a lifetime. When the fish are biting everything thrown in front of them it seems like everyone is friends for life afterwards. We are in this to catch fish, but also to have fun while doing it.

Pictures tell the story. Bring a digital camera, if not I will provide mine and send you pictures at a later date.

No bananas onboard the boat.