Welcome to Free Spirit Sportfishing

[Free Spirit]

I'd like to welcome you to the Free Spirit Sportfishing Forum. I am Capt. Steve Bent and I have been fishing these South Jersey waters since 1963, and chartering since 1978. The Free Spirit is a new 2004 34' Calvin Beal designed downeast hull with a 465 H.P. Yanmar diesel for power. The boat has a beam of 13' which gives it a cockpit that is 13' by 13'. There is plenty of room for parties of up to 6 anglers to fish in comfort, and the wheelhouse has seating for the entire party with heat for those cooler mornings. The Free Spirit will cruise at 22 kts. and is stable and comfortable whether running, drifting, or on the anchor. Since I am a member of Raymarine's Pro- Staff, the boat is equipped with the best and latest electronics for fishability and safety. The tackle is also only the best, with Quantum tackle inshore, and Penn and Shimano for the offshore fishing. Families are always welcome and if you don't know how to catch fish, don't worry, I will show you all you need to know to make your trip successful. Kids are often the best fishermen on the boat since they do listen and so, catch fish!
The Season
The boat is in Cape May from April 15 to the first week of June. I take advantage of the great Striped Bass and Black Drum fishing at that time. Imagine anchored in 12 feet of water catching fish that often exceed 80 lbs.! In June I return to Margate, Nj which is across the bay from Ocean City and I fish for Shark, flounder, Tuna, Marlin, bluefish, Weakfish, croakers, and any other fish that are available. From Margate I have 5 canyons within 75 miles to fish, and the 30 fathom line where we catch big Bluefin Tuna, is only 52 miles from the bell. During the 2nd week of October, I return to Cape May for that fabulous Striped Bass fishing in the rips and chunking up the Bay that lasts until I pull the boat around December 15.
I would like to welcome you on board to fish on the Free Spirit. I generally am booked every day during the season so if you are interested in fishing with me, please e-mail or call me and I will be glad to answer any questions that you may have.