Deep-sea fishing off the Jersey Shore is memorable adventure for kids, adults
It's a beautiful day on the Atlantic Ocean, and this newbie deep-sea fisher is fighting for her catch.
Some anglers let the natural rocking of the boat do the work for them, but I wanted to do it myself.
From the thump of the bite, I had high expectations while I was reeling it in.
Was it a massive fluke or black sea bass?
No, it was a tiny sea robin.
I threw it back.
But the hunt for my next catch keeps my blood pumping.
On a recent Thursday, this reporter spent a half day aboard The Gambler, a well-known fishing charter at the Jersey Shore. Along with about 30 other seafarers — kids, parents, young adults, senior citizens — we headed out of Point Pleasant Beach for deep sea fishing.
It takes about 30 minutes to get about 3 miles from the shore, but expect to stop and go a few times to find ideal locations. It doesn't take long at all for the bait to drop about 70 feet.
Experienced and beginner anglers are welcome. Led by Capt. Bob Bogan, The Gambler's staff taught me everything I needed to know: how to bait my hook, techniques to lure in catches, how to pull the fish over the boat, and even how to clean it. If needed, the boat provides bait, coolers, ice and rental rods.
Bogan, 61, has been operating the boat since receiving his captain's license at 19. (From the time he was 13, he served as a deckhand for his late father, Capt. Bob Bogan Sr.)
“I really enjoy what I do even if it’s a challenge every day [because] you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Bogan said, who was born and raised in the area, and now lives in Brick. “Finding the fish is exciting, seeing people catch fish … and helping them learn to catch the fish is [also] very exciting.
“Deep sea fishing can be very relaxing and exciting at the same time," he added. "It’s rewarding to be able to catch your dinner.”
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This boat (which operates every month but February and March) is the third version of Captain Bob Sr.'s 1961 original, built in 2005 with high-tech fish-finding sonar and modern fixtures. It has bathrooms and a snack bar in the air-conditioned cabin, a great resource if you are susceptible to sea-sickness (Bogan recommended wearing pressure-point sea sickness bracelets).
Even if you're wary of possible queasiness, the view of land slowly disappearing, making way for salty air and rippling currents, is exhilarating.
The crew loves nature, the captain said, and understands the importance of a healthy ocean.
"We love being out here, not knowing from day to day what kind of fish and seabirds we’re going to see," Bogan said. "There’s so much adventure to this.”
Along the way we saw a breaching whale, a cownose ray and a sandbar (brown) shark.
The Gambler's staff follows New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection guidelines. Anglers can keep up to two fluke between 17 and 18 inches, fin to tip, and one over 18 inches. Black sea bass have to be over 12.5 inches, but this time of year, anglers are only allowed to keep one. Many of the fluke and sea bass I caught needed to be thrown back.
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“People get everything they need from us to catch the fish, they just need to bring themselves,” said deckhand Chris Lido, who has an education background with the NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, and was a former editor for New Jersey-based fishing magazine The Fisherman. “We’re really trying to push the sea-to-table aspect of fishing.”
He offered good advice for someone like me: “(It's all about) patience and repetition," said Lido of Somerset County. "The more you do it, the better you’ll get at it.”
And you never stop learning, he added. Fishing for fluke uses different techniques than fishing for tuna.
“If we’re going for a different fish, throw everything you learned out the window because now it’s a totally new ball game, a sudoku puzzle that’s constantly changing," he said.
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At the end of the trip, The Gambler's staff helped clean everyone's catches into filets, ready to take home to cook.
Weekends are popular on the Gambler, which can take on about 50 passengers. Half day rides cost about $70, $50 per child 12 and younger. Prices vary depending on the year, and family specials are available.
Be sure to wear lightweight clothes, closed-toe shoes and a hat. Bring suntan lotion, bug spray, plenty of water, snacks (although there is a snack bar) — and maybe some cash for tips.
Other boats around the Jersey Shore provide a similar experience.
“Mostly all boats in the area do good work because we want to get people back out there," Bogan said. "It’s what we do, and it’s mostly friendly competition in this business.”
Regardless which boat you decide to take, chances are you're going to leave with a smile.
“It’s an absolutely gratifying and exhilarating experience when a young person or someone who has never come out catches a fish and you see that smile on their face,” Lido said. “We put smiles on people’s faces every day, and that’s the best part of our job."
Go: The Gambler: 59 Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach; 732-295-7569, gamblerfishing.net.
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Deep-sea fishing boats at the Jersey Shore
Norma K II out of Point Pleasant Beach: Docked next to The Gambler's lot, this one is recommended by Bogan. Go: 35 Broadway, 732-496-5383, normakfishing.com.
Captain Cal II out of Belmar: Bogan also recommended this one, which doubles as a party boat. Go: 905 Route 35, 732-977-2020, captaincal2.com.
Miss Beach Haven Fishing Charter out of Beach Haven: This charter offers multiple length fishing trips, and fireworks cruises. Go: 100 Northwest Ave., 609-467-3233, missbeachhaven.com.
Miss Barnegat Light out of Barnegat Light: This one leaves Viking Village (and you can enjoy all the shops and Barnegat Light State Park when you return). Go: 1801 Bayview Ave., 609-494-2094, missbarnegatlight.com.
Atlantic Star out of Atlantic Highlands: This dual fishing and party boat fishes the calm waters of the Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay region. Go: 2 Simon Lake Drive, 732-291-5508, atlanticstarfishing.com.
Captain Dave's Charters out of Beach Haven: The boat fishes for exotic catches throughout the year, like Mahi Mahi, Blue Marlin and Wahoo. They are also known for Jersey canyon fishing, which starts about 85 miles offshore. Go: 302 West Ave., 609-577-2797, captaindavescharters.com.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore deep sea fishing for families, all anglers
