Why Head Boat Fishing in New Jersey Beats Everywhere Else (A Local’s Honest Take)

Going out on a head boat, or a charter fishing boat, is one of my favorite things to do in Jersey. There's nothing more fun than watching the sun rise while you're out on the ocean trying to catch some really big fish.

When I was a kid, we'd go out on the Miss Avalon once or twice a summer, and they are some of my favorite memories growing up.

How A Charter Boat Trip In Maryland, MD Made Me Appreciate NJ Even More

Recently, my friend who lives down in Maryland put together a charter fishing trip for me and my friends, and I would have assumed he wanted to do it here in Jersey, since we have super easy access to the water. However, we ended up fishing for stripers in the Chesapeake, underneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridges.

And it was a really cool experience; the boat ride out to the fishing area had us pass a lighthouse that was built in the early 1800s, and since it's a heavy cargo area, we got really up close and personal with some massive cargo ships.

Photo Credit: Buehler

Charter Boat Fishing In New Jersey Is Just Better

Despite how interesting the trip out was, it made me realize that going out on a charter boat in Jersey makes you spoiled when it comes to going out on a fishing trip in other states.

Over the past few years, I've gone out on the Miss Barnegat Light for a half day of fishing, and the massive boat is just reelin' fish in left and right when you go out. You see whales breaking the surface while you fish, and nothing compares to the salt air in your face.

It's just another reason I feel so lucky to call the Jersey Shore home.