Best Fishing in Highlands
Charter boats, party-boat trips, surf-fishing spots, and pier fishing — everything you need to plan a fishing day in Highlands.
Spring striper run starting
Early season rates - book your trip now
Book a charter from Belmar (serves Highlands)
Highlands doesn't have its own charter dock, so most Highlands anglers fish out of Belmar (a short drive). Captain's license covers all passengers.
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Private Charter Boats from Belmar
Customize a trip for your group — pick the species, the duration, and the departure time. Belmar is the closest charter port to Highlands.
Golden Eagle
Private Charter - Capt. Rich Falcone
Capt. Rich Falcone
State-of-the-art sportfishing operation out of Belmar Marina, targeting trophy fish year-round.
State-of-the-art sportfishing charter captained by Rich Falcone. The Golden Eagle offers premium private charters with full galley service and modern electronics for serious anglers targeting trophy fish.
- ✓State-of-the-art electronics
- ✓Full galley service
- ✓Experienced captain
Target Species
Canyon Eagle I
Private Charter
Part of the Canyon Eagle Fleet, offering 6-hour inshore trips to 24-hour offshore canyon expeditions. Specializes in tuna, mahi, and shark trips with experienced crews who know the offshore canyons.
- ✓Offshore canyon specialists
- ✓24-hour expedition capability
- ✓Part of Canyon Eagle Fleet
Target Species
Canyon Eagle II
Private Charter
Sister vessel in the Canyon Eagle Fleet, equipped for extended offshore trips targeting tuna, wahoo, and marlin in the offshore canyons. Experienced crew with decades of canyon fishing experience.
- ✓Blue marlin capability
- ✓Extended range for deep canyon trips
- ✓Premium offshore equipment
Target Species
Canyon Eagle III
Private Charter
The newest addition to the Canyon Eagle Fleet, featuring the latest in fishing technology and comfortable accommodations for long offshore trips.
- ✓Newest vessel in fleet
- ✓Latest fishing technology
- ✓Premium accommodations
Target Species
Party-Boat Fishing from Belmar
Lower-cost, drop-in trips from Belmar's public docks. Bring lunch, the rest is included.
SS Miss Belmar
Party Boat
The largest party boat in Belmar Marina at 125 feet, the SS Miss Belmar has maintained #1 customer satisfaction ratings for 23 consecutive years. A true Belmar institution offering comfortable fishing for striped bass, bluefish, sea bass, and fluke.
- ✓Largest party boat in Belmar Marina
- ✓#1 customer satisfaction for 23 consecutive years
- ✓Full galley service
Target Species
Surf & Pier Fishing in highlands
No boat needed. Highlands's shoreline puts you on stripers, bluefish, and fluke from the beach or jetties.
Sandy Hook
Part of Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook offers diverse surf fishing opportunities from the bay side to the oceanfront. The tip of the hook is legendary for spring striped bass.
View spot details →Highlands Municipal Pier
Public fishing pier in Highlands with views of Sandy Hook Bay. Popular spot for flounder, weakfish, and striped bass in season.
View spot details →Stay Near the Boats
Belmar charters leave at sunrise. Book a hotel in either Highlands or Belmar — both are valid bases for a fishing weekend.
Hotels & Stays
Find accommodations in Highlands
Flights
Find flights to NJ airports
Car Rentals
Rent a car for your shore trip
Highlands Fishing FAQs
Do I need a license to fish in Highlands?
For saltwater fishing in Highlands, you need a free NJ Saltwater Registry — five minutes to register at saltwaterregistry.nj.gov. Charter and party boats include the registration in their fees, so passengers don't need their own.
When is the best time to fish in Highlands?
Highlands's most productive fishing windows mirror the wider Jersey Shore: striped bass run April–June and again September–December (the fall run is the strongest), fluke and sea bass dominate June–August, and offshore tuna/mahi peaks July through early October. Early morning and late afternoon around tide changes are generally best.
What does a charter trip from Highlands cost?
Party boats (open-boat trips) typically run $50–90 per person and include rod rental and bait. Private charters from Highlands range $500–3,500 depending on boat size, trip length, and target species. Offshore tuna trips cost more than inshore striper or fluke trips.
More to Explore
More fishing resources
- NJ Fishing Guide — 654 mapped grounds, seasonal calendar, what's biting now.
- Seasonal calendar — month-by-month species runs.
- Saltwater registry guide — register or renew in five minutes.