Half Day Inshore Fishing Trip in Fairhaven
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target five species including Striped Bass and Black Sea BassExpert Captain William provides gear and local knowledge aboard 2024 vesselSixhour morning departure accommodates up to six guests with meals
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that'll put you on fish without burning your whole day? Captain William Guenon's got you covered with his 6-hour inshore adventure departing from Fairhaven at 6 AM sharp. You'll be fishing aboard his brand new 2024 282 Sportsman – a top-rated platform that handles these Massachusetts waters like a dream. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between personalized attention and good company on the water. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone just getting their feet wet in saltwater fishing, Captain William's decades of local knowledge will put you right where the fish are biting.
Your day kicks off at the Edgewater Street launch before sunrise, which is exactly when you want to be hitting these productive inshore waters. Captain William knows every ledge, drop-off, and structure from Buzzards Bay to the Elizabeth Islands, and he's not shy about sharing what makes each spot special. The 282 Sportsman gives you plenty of room to move around while fighting fish, plus all the modern electronics to stay on top of the schools. You'll be targeting a mixed bag that keeps things interesting – striped bass cruising the rips, blues busting bait on the surface, black sea bass holding tight to structure, summer flounder lying in wait on sandy bottoms, and if conditions are right, maybe even some blackfin tuna. The captain provides all the tackle and knows exactly what presentations work best for each species in these waters.
This isn't a one-trick pony kind of trip. Depending on what's biting and where we find them, you might be jigging vertical structure for sea bass, casting topwater plugs at breaking blues, or drifting live bait for stripers. Captain William keeps his tackle boxes stocked with everything from bucktails and soft plastics to topwater poppers and live eels. The inshore waters around Fairhaven offer incredible variety – rocky bottoms holding sea bass, sandy flats perfect for fluke, and current breaks where stripers ambush baitfish. You'll learn to read the water, understand how tide and structure work together, and pick up techniques that'll make you a better angler long after this trip ends. The captain's got spinning gear and conventional setups ready to go, all spooled with fresh line and rigged for success.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Massachusetts inshore fishing, and these waters consistently produce fish from schoolies up to genuine cows pushing 40-plus pounds. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk, which is why that early departure time pays dividends. Stripers are notorious for their powerful runs and acrobatic jumps, making every hookup a memorable battle. Black sea bass might be smaller, but pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in these waters. They stack up on rocky structure and kelp beds, usually in 20-60 feet of water, and they hit hard and dive straight for cover. Summer flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the ultimate ambush predators lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to crush an unsuspecting baitfish. Landing a doormat fluke over 5 pounds is something every angler remembers forever. Bluefish bring the action when they're around – these aggressive feeders travel in schools and create some of the most exciting topwater fishing you'll find anywhere. When the blues are busting bait on the surface, it's pure chaos in the best possible way. Blackfin tuna are the wildcards that can turn a good day into an epic one. These speedsters show up when water temperatures are right, and hooking into one means you're in for a drag-screaming fight that'll test your tackle and your endurance.
Captain William's half-day trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing really turns on. You're getting world-class inshore fishing with a captain who knows these waters like his own backyard, all without having to commit to a full day on the water. The 6-hour window gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and target different species while still leaving your afternoon free. Whether you're looking to introduce someone new to saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to dial in on local hotspots, this trip delivers the goods. The early start means you'll be fishing the prime morning bite when these species are most active, and you'll beat the weekend boat traffic that can make afternoon fishing challenging. Don't sleep on this opportunity – Massachusetts inshore fishing is some of the best on the East Coast, and Captain William's expertise ensures you'll make the most of every minute on the water.
The 2024 28' Sportsman is built for serious inshore fishing around Fairhaven's productive waters. Twin 300 HP Yamaha engines push this beauty up to 35 MPH, getting you to the fish fast and back to port when the weather turns. The spacious cockpit handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, with a fighting chair for battling those stubborn stripers and a livewell to keep your bait fresh all day. Outriggers spread your lines wide for better coverage, while the GPS and fish finder help Captain William locate schools of sea bass and flounder hiding in the inshore structure. Whether you're targeting bluefish runs or working the bottom for fluke, this boat's got everything you need for a productive day on Massachusetts waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are one of our most reliable bottom fish, running 1-4 pounds with occasional 6-8 pounders that really bend the rod. These chunky fighters hang around rocky structure, wrecks, and jetties in 20-80 feet of water. They're most active late spring through fall when they move inshore to feed. What guests love about sea bass is their aggressive strike and strong initial run - they'll dive straight for cover when hooked. The meat is white, flaky, and considered some of the best eating around here. They start as females and change to males as they grow, which is pretty unique. My tip: drop your bait right to the bottom, then lift it a foot - they like to grab it as it falls back down.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the speed demons of our inshore waters, typically running 10-25 pounds with their signature dark fins and yellow stripes. These smaller cousins of bluefin prefer warm water over 68°F, so we see them best during late summer and early fall near the continental shelf. They school with other tunas and travel fast, making them a challenge to locate. What makes blackfins exciting is their blistering runs and aerial jumps - they'll peel line off your reel in seconds. The meat is fantastic for sushi or seared, with a milder flavor than larger tunas. My tip: scale down your tackle and use fluorocarbon leaders since they're sharp-eyed. When you find birds working, get ready for fast action.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive fighters that show up in our waters from June through October, making them perfect targets for summer trips. These voracious predators typically run 3-8 pounds, though bigger ones hit 15+ pounds. They hunt in schools near the surface, often creating feeding frenzies that churn the water white. You'll find them around baitfish schools, especially when birds are working overhead. What makes blues special is their tenacious fight - they'll pull drag and make multiple runs. Plus, smaller blues under 10 pounds are excellent eating when prepared fresh. My tip: use wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in seconds. When you see diving birds, get your lures ready fast.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of our local fishing, with those distinctive black stripes and powerful shoulders that can really test your tackle. Most fish run 20-35 inches, but the big cows over 40 pounds show up during migration periods. They love structure like rocks, drop-offs, and tide rips where baitfish get pushed around. Spring and fall are prime time when they're moving through our waters following the herring and bunker schools. What makes stripers special is their combination of size, strength, and intelligence - they'll make multiple runs and really make you work. The meat is excellent eating too. My tip: fish the tide changes at dawn and dusk near moving water - that's when they feed most actively.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of the bottom - they change color to match the sand and can grow to impressive doormat size. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can hit 8-10 pounds and make your day. They lie buried in sand near structure, inlet mouths, and channel edges waiting to ambush prey. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they're actively feeding inshore. What guests enjoy is the challenge of feeling that subtle tap, then the strong headshaking fight as they try to dive back down. They're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with your bait just ticking bottom - when you feel that pickup, count to three before setting the hook to let them fully take it.
undefined, undefined