Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

I'm mostly a freshwater guy and do most of my salt bottom fishing in the early season outside of NJ. My friends want to get out this weekend and put me on picking an NJ boat to do some bottom fishing. Since we're waiting for seabass, it looks like most boats are targeting porgies, ling, flounder and cod. I see the OE is doing pretty well, but I'm curious which boats are everyone's favorites for bottom fishing this time of year. Feel free to PM me with any non-sponsor favorites too.

Re: Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

The Angler, Big Mohawk and OE are good bets for bottom fishing.

Re: Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

The Angler... Capt. George is second to none. He always puts you on the meat.

Re: Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

If you are south Belmar or PP I'm a big fan of Ocean Explorer, not sure you consider Mimi and party boat as it's mostly charters and runs open some days. Never fish Mohawk or Any boats up north bottom fishing. But I have to say all of the boats that sponsor this site produce. Good luck and catchem up

Re: Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

Thanks - I'm up in Sussex Cty and my friends are in Bergen so shore location doesn't really matter to me - and I heard on the OE you may even get a Lobstah !!!

Re: Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

Another question - typically what depth are these trips fishing right now and how much weight on average are you using? I don't want to bring 6-8 oz's and need 12's or larger

Re: Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

You could be fishing in places up to 200 feet and if there is current, you might need some 10 and 12 ounce weights.

I would choose the boat you want to head out on and email or call the Captain a day or 2 before.

Push comes to shove, you can always purchase sinkers on the boat too.

Re: Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

Right now you can get away with 6-8oz sinkers inshore but you always want to be prepared. Lets say the captain makes a deep drop for ling or cod you might need 10-16 oz of weight.

Best advice is carry everything this time of year. All the lead you might need plus toss some jigs in the Box. You never know when a captain might stop for some bass if they are there on the way in or out.

Re: Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

Great advice Justin!!

And thanks once again everyone for making the extra effort to support our sponsor boats.

They deserve and appreciate your business and keep the lights on around here!!

Re: Favorite NJ Party Boat for Bottom Fishing this Time of Year
 

Big Mohawk.... This crew lives to fish