The vessel is one of a string of party boats from Long Beach Island to Cape May that ply the waters for a half day to a full day of fishing in the briny deep. Many also offer night excursions for species such as blue fish. Christen Robbins, who works with Captain Robbins out of Sea Isle City, suggests arriving an hour before departure to insure passage and prime fishing spots. Many passengers bring their own equipment, but boats often rent rod, reel and bait for an extra charge. The Jersey Shore has even more charter boats, where a group of people pay a flat fee to rent the vessel, gear included, said Joe Galese, secretary of the Cape May County Party and Charter Boat Association, which has 220 members.
Charter boats hold far fewer passengers than party boats, often no more than six people.
But the majority provide little more than an enclosed bathroom. Where party boats keep within 35 miles of the coast, charters can sometime travel up to 100 miles to the canyons, Galese said. Such voyages may even last overnight, for up to 20 hours. The Miss Avalon II, a party boat out of Avalon, doesn't go in for anything quite that heady, said owner and captain Jerry Hurd. He usually sets a course for 10 miles offshore.