Reel Fun Sportfishing Charters

05/12/2026

The 53rd Annual St. George Greek Festival in Piscataway, NJ, is scheduled for May 14–17, 2026, at 1101 River Road.

This four-day event is a major Central Jersey tradition, featuring authentic homemade Greek food, live music, dancing, and a lively, expanded outdoor taverna area.

Festival Schedule & Hours:
Thursday, May 14: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday, May 15: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, May 16: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Midnight)
Sunday, May 17: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Highlights: Food & Drink: Authentic Greek pastries, gyros, and souvlaki.

Entertainment: Live music and traditional Greek folk dancing.
Activities: Church tours, a marketplace, and a new coffee shop/bakery.

Parking: Available on-site at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

03/06/2026

Fellow Anglers,

The days are getting longer and the snow is melting at a fast pace. After our brutal winter, it's time to look forward to the coming of spring and fishing for the best game fish in New Jersey water...Striped Bass

My charter fishing business, Reel Fun Sportfishing of Sandy Hook, NJ, will be fishing for Stripers starting around mid April and continuing to the end of June using numerous methods to catch these hard fighting fish. Casting lures, bunker chunking, livelining as well as trolling the calm waters of Raritan Bay and surrounding waters on our 6 hour fishing trip for up to 4 anglers.

For further information and to book your fishing trip for your 4 anglers or schedule an open boat trip, call 908-421-4761 for our special fishing season kickoff.

02/28/2026

02/28/2026

March 1 2025
Fellow Anglers,

2026 promises to be a great year for fishing the New Jersey waters. With the brutal winter we just had, I'm sure the fish are ready to feed after a long winter hibernation period.

In order to jump start our fishing season and get you back on the water with us, I am now offering a special reduced fare. Book your 4 man private charter by March 30th to get in on our great reduced rates for the spring run of Stripers or our ever popular Summer Flounder (Fluke) trips.

We will begin our 2026 fishing season mid April for Striped Bass and then switch to Fluke around July 1st through to the end of September.

Tight Lines,
Capt. John and Crew
Reel Fun Sportfishing 908-421-4761

09/01/2025

Fellow Angers,

Had William Murphy and his sons James and William out for a morning of oceanside Fluke fishing.

Not sure what to expect after Hurricane Erin came through but we gave it a go for a Sunday morning Fluke trip just the same.

Much to my surprise, the Fluke are still here and are feeding aggressively before they move offshore to their winter headquarters.

We were fishing oceanside with, at first, a light north wind and incoming tide. Usually a wind against situation is death to Fluke fishing, but not today. The right mix of light wind and opposing tide had our drift at a perfect .7 kts.

The young Murphy's did very well buck tailing as the squid striped teasers did a really number on some quality keeper fish. Limit keepers as well as too numerous to count throwbacks and a few Sea Bass, made for a very busy morning until a dreaded east wind came up and totally shutdown the bite...but we made our catch by that time anyway and we headed to the dock a little early with smiling faces. Great day guys....great day!

Tight Lines, Capt. John and Crew
Reel Fun Sportfishing
Highlands, NJ

07/25/2025

Fellow Angler,

Ocean Fluke fishing is currently doing very well with much bigger fish being caught along our northern shores.

4, 5 and 6 lb as well as doormat Fluke are being caught on most trips with tons of throwbacks to make for an active day on the water.

So, to that end, I am taking reservations for this 8 hour Fluke Marathon slated for Friday August 1st departing at 6 am and returning by 2 pm. Any single angler looking to do some serious Fluke fishing...let me know ASAP so I can reserve your spot.

This trip is for 4 anglers only with tons of room to fish as we supply rods/reels/ rigs and bait (you supply the bucktails). We will be fishing ocean rough bottom rock and wreck areas targeting big fish.

The fare for this 8 trip is $210.00 p/p. Mates 15-20% gratuity extra.
Call me at 908-421-4761 to reserve your spot.
Tight Lines, Capt. John and Crew

03/03/2025

Fellow fisherman....are you getting the Striper bug yet? If you're like me, then yes you are. Raritan Bay Striper fishing is just a few weeks away and just wanted to alert that Reel Fun Sportfishing will begin its 21st year fishing the Sandy Hook, Raritan Bay area for Stripers beginning Wednesday April 16th 2025.

We offer both "Open Boat" fishing for singles as well as 4 man charters on a 4 or 6 hour schedule. We supply all gear (rods, reels, rigs and bait) included in your fee if you don't want to use yours.

For the very best in personalized and professional service with a captain and mate who have a combined fishing record of over 70 years. Casting, trolling, chunking, livelining...you name it as we do whatever the fish want to eat throughout the bay.

Please visit my web site at www.reelfunsportfishing.com

Have a great day and see you at the dock.

Capt. John Kolias
Reel Fun Sportfishing
Highlands, NJ

01/08/2024

January 8, 2024

Fellow Angler,

Welcome to another year at Reel Fun Sportfishing and the reports and news service.

As always, you can come here to read about important news pertaining to Striped Bass and Fluke regulations and fishing that will be imposed on us for the 2024 fishing season.

You'll also be reading fishing reports from my charters and open boat trips throughout the year giving you factual reports on how we did on any specific day.

For those who have fished with me for the past 20 years, know that I am a big proponent of fishing specific tides for the fish we target. There is a world of difference in success fishing the proper tides for spring Striped Bass as well as fall Stripers.

There are many factors that go into a picking a good day for bass with tides, water temperatures and availability of bait in our bays. Having said that, not all days are created equal. My appointment book is now populated with all 2024 tidal information and I'm ready to guide you accordingly on picking the best possible day for your charter.

We should be starting our 2024 campaign for spring Stripers somewhere around April 13th give or take a few days depending on the arrival of the fish in our bays.

Casting lures, bunker fishing or trolling is our M/O with the main objective of putting fish in the cooler. We have the tackle to do any or all of the 3 mentioned techniques.

Our able bodied crew are there to assist you on every charter along with our state of the art tackle and a very seaworthy 25' Parker Sport Cabin boat equipped with all the Coast Guard required safety gear.

Our trips are for a maximum of 4 anglers and cover 6 hours on the water. Weekends are booked very early in advance so plan accordingly if you wish to fish with us on a Saturday or Sunday this year.

We also fish during the week with our "Open Boat" trips for our single anglers scheduled for every Wednesday and Friday. A small deposit is required to hold your day so don't wait too long and call me at 908-421-4761.

Thanks and Tight Lines,
Capt. John and Crew

12/23/2023

On behalf of the crew and I, we would like to wish all followers of my Facebook site a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. In a few short months we'll be Striper fishing again.

Capt. John and Mates Rich, Chris and Braden

11/26/2023

Fellow Angler,

Looking for a great gift for that fisherman in your life?

Then look no further than a 6 hour fishing trip for spring Stripers that is sure to please your favorite angler.

A Reel Fun Gift Certificate is just the right gift for the angler in your life and the anticipation that goes along with it will last for the entire winter months ahead.

Just look at the photos from some of our Striper fishing trips and you'll see why this unique gift can't be beat.

For that single angler in your life, an "Open Boat" 6 hour Striper trip the fare is $160.00 (*Please note...the entire fare must be paid at this time. Your certificate will be mailed to you. In case of a weather related issue and we do not sail on your day, we will reschedule your trip.Your certificate will be mailed to you. Please allow 5-7 days for delivery)

For those looking to book a 4 person private 6 hour Striper charter, the entire fare is $640.00. (*Please note...the entire fare must be paid at this time or you can purchase a portion of the fare with your certificate. In case of a weather related issue and we do not sail on your day, we will reschedule your trip.Your certificate will be mailed to you. Please allow 5-7 days for delivery)

Gift certificates are good only for the 2024 fishing season and cannot be carried over to the following year.

I've been told a picture is worth a thousand words...a few photos below to get you inspired to give me a call....ha ha ha!

You can call me at 908-421-4761 to purchase your Reel Fun Gift Certificate.

Tight Lines, Capt. John
Mates Rich, Chris and Braden