Afternoon Kayak Fishing on Great South Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Guided kayak fishing targeting Sea Bass, Porgies, and WeakfishCalm afternoon conditions on Great South Bay watersExpert guide provides equipment and fishing instruction included
Picture this: you're paddling across the calm waters of Great South Bay, rod in hand, with the afternoon sun warming your back and some of Long Island's best inshore fishing spots all to yourself. This top-rated 4-5 hour kayak fishing adventure with A Fish Charters gives you the perfect blend of peaceful paddling and productive angling. Whether you're a seasoned bass hunter or just getting your feet wet in saltwater fishing, this trip puts you right where the fish are feeding in one of the most renowned fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Your guide knows Great South Bay like the back of their hand – every channel, every drop-off, every grass bed where the fish like to hang out. You'll launch in the afternoon when the water's had time to warm up and the fish are getting active for their evening feed. The beauty of kayak fishing here is the access – you can slip into skinny water and structure that bigger boats can't reach, putting you on fish that haven't seen much pressure. Your expert guide handles all the logistics, from setting you up with the right tackle to reading the conditions and adjusting the game plan as the day unfolds. The pace is relaxed but focused, giving you time to really dial in your technique while covering productive water. Great South Bay's protected waters mean comfortable conditions most days, making this a customer favorite for anglers who want world-class fishing without the rough ride.
Kayak fishing in Great South Bay is all about finesse and versatility. Your guide sets you up with medium-light spinning gear perfect for the varied structure and species you'll encounter. You'll be working everything from bucktails bounced along the bottom for flounder to soft plastics worked through the grass for stripers and blues. The shallow draft of your kayak lets you get right up on the flats and along the shoreline structure where these fish love to ambush baitfish. Expect to do a mix of casting and drifting, depending on what the fish are telling you. Your guide reads the water constantly – watching for bird activity, bait schools, and subtle changes in current that reveal where to focus your efforts. The afternoon bite often picks up as shadows start to lengthen, so you'll adjust techniques accordingly, maybe switching to topwater plugs or working deeper channels as the day progresses.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Great South Bay fishing, and afternoons can produce some fantastic action. These fish move into the shallows to feed on spearing, sand eels, and crabs, making them perfect targets for kayak anglers. You'll find them along grass lines, near structure, and cruising the flats. Stripers here range from schoolies up to some serious keeper-sized fish in the 28-35 inch range. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive strikes and strong fights – they'll test your drag and give you that adrenaline rush every angler craves. Fall and spring are prime time, but summer afternoons can be productive when you find them in deeper channels.
Tautog might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute bulldogs and some of the best eating you'll find. These bottom-dwellers hang around hard structure – old pilings, rocks, anything they can use for cover while they munch on crabs and mussels. The trick with tog is patience and the right presentation. Your guide knows exactly where to find them and how to rig up with green crabs or sand fleas. When a tog hits, you need to get them up fast before they duck back into their hideout. They're available year-round but really turn on during the cooler months when other species slow down.
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage and ambush predators that make every drift exciting. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting baitfish, crabs, and worms. Great South Bay's expansive flats and channels provide perfect habitat, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. You'll typically target them with bucktails tipped with squid or Gulp baits, bouncing along the bottom with a slow, steady retrieve. When a flounder hits, it's often a subtle thump rather than a screaming run, so your guide helps you develop the feel for detecting these strikes. Summer and early fall offer the best action, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 16-inchers up to some real doormat fluke that'll make your trip.
Bluefish bring the excitement factor with their aggressive feeding and hard fights. These voracious predators travel in schools, and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. Great South Bay's abundant baitfish populations keep resident blues well-fed and active throughout the warmer months. You'll often spot them by watching for diving birds or seeing bait getting pushed to the surface. Blues hit everything from topwater plugs to metal jigs, and they're not shy about it – expect hard strikes and screaming runs. Your guide keeps wire leaders handy since blues have razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through regular line in a heartbeat. They're also fantastic table fare when handled properly, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to take dinner home.
At $400 for up to 3 guests, this afternoon kayak fishing trip delivers serious value for anyone looking to experience Great South Bay's world-class inshore fishing. Your guide provides all the expertise, local knowledge, and equipment you need for a successful day on the water. The afternoon timing means comfortable conditions, active fish, and that perfect golden hour lighting that makes every photo a keeper. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, target specific species, or just enjoy a relaxed day of fishing in one of Long Island's most productive waters, this trip checks all the boxes. Great South Bay's fish are waiting – all
This 2023 Hoodoo kayak puts you right where the fish are biting in Great South Bay's productive inshore waters. At 10 feet long, this stable fishing platform gets you into those shallow spots where sea bass and porgies love to hang out, while staying quiet enough not to spook the fish. The sleek design cuts through the calm bay waters smoothly, and you'll appreciate how responsive it feels when you're working a drift or positioning for that perfect cast. Built for serious kayak anglers, it handles the saltwater environment like a champ and gives you the mobility to follow the action wherever it leads. Whether you're dropping lines near structure or exploring new fishing spots around the bay, this reliable fishing kayak delivers the performance you need for a productive day on Long Island's waters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that bring pure excitement to any fishing trip. These torpedo-shaped fighters typically range from snapper-sized "cocktail blues" up to 8-15 pound choppers with razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them roaming open water and structure throughout Great South Bay, often in feeding schools that create surface chaos. Summer and early fall offer peak action when they're chasing baitfish. What anglers love about bluefish is their vicious strikes and strong fights - they'll bend your rod and strip drag. Fresh blues under 5 pounds are excellent eating when iced immediately. Watch for diving birds or surface disturbance indicating feeding schools. Quick tip: use wire leaders and keep your fingers clear - those teeth can do serious damage even on smaller fish.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand and mud bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most flounders we catch run 15-18 inches and 2-4 pounds, with both eyes on their left side giving them that unique appearance. They love shallow sandy areas, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs in Great South Bay. Fall fishing is prime time as they fatten up before moving offshore for winter. What makes flounder fishing fun is the surprise factor - you never know when that motionless bottom suddenly comes alive. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters, with delicate, flaky white meat. My trick: use a slow drift with live minnows or squid strips. Keep your bait moving just off bottom - flounders are ambush predators that react to movement.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Long Island fishing, ranging from schoolie bass around 20-28 inches up to real bruisers pushing 40+ pounds. These silver fish with their signature dark horizontal stripes love structure - you'll find them around drop-offs, jetties, and bridge pilings throughout Great South Bay. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during their migration periods. What makes stripers special is their incredible fight - they'll make long runs and jump when hooked. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with firm, flaky white meat. My go-to tip: look for birds diving on baitfish, then cast just outside the feeding frenzy. The bigger fish hang on the edges waiting to ambush wounded bait.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are some of the toughest fighters pound-for-pound you'll encounter around Long Island's rocky structure. These chunky, dark-mottled fish typically run 2-6 pounds, though we occasionally hook doubles in the teens. They live right in the rocks, jetties, and bridge pilings where they crush mussels and crabs with powerful jaws. Fall and early winter provide the hottest action before they move offshore. What guests love about tog fishing is the challenge - they're smart, structure-oriented fish that require finesse. When you hook one, they immediately dive for the rocks. The meat is sweet and firm, perfect for chowder. Pro tip: use green crabs and fish right against the structure. Set the hook hard at first contact - hesitate and they'll wrap you up in the rocks.
Swansboro, Nc