Weekend & Holidays Trip Long Island Sound
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Weekend fishing adventure targeting Flounder, Scup, Tautog, and Striped BassIntimate inshore experience accommodating up to two guests maximumFamilyfriendly Long Island Sound charter with Bell 8 Charters
Picture this: you've got a free weekend or holiday coming up, and you're tired of the same old routine. Instead of scrolling through your phone or dealing with crowded tourist spots, how about spending quality time on Long Island Sound with a fishing rod in your hands? Bell 8 Charters offers the perfect escape for you and one other person – whether that's your fishing buddy, spouse, or someone you want to introduce to the sport. This intimate charter keeps things personal while targeting some of the Sound's most sought-after species. From hard-fighting stripers to tasty flounder, these waters hold surprises around every rocky point and sandy bottom.
Long Island Sound is like a massive fish highway connecting the Atlantic to countless rivers and harbors. When you step aboard with Bell 8 Charters, you're getting access to decades of local knowledge about where fish move with the tides, seasons, and weather patterns. The Sound's unique geography creates perfect habitat – rocky reefs for tautog and black sea bass, sandy flats for flounder, and current breaks where striped bass ambush baitfish. With just two anglers max, you'll have plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from your captain. No fighting over the best spots on the boat or waiting your turn to land a fish. The atmosphere stays relaxed but focused, giving you the best shot at filling your cooler while actually enjoying the process. Your captain will adjust techniques throughout the day based on what's biting, so you might start jigging for sea bass in the morning and switch to live bait for stripers as the tide changes.
Inshore fishing in Long Island Sound requires reading the water and adapting your approach. Your captain will have you covered with the right gear for each situation – from light spinning tackle for scup to heavier conventional setups when big stripers are running. Bottom fishing with bucktails and squid strips works magic on the deeper structure where tautog hide, while drifting with killies or sand worms puts you in the flounder game. When bluefish are blitzing on the surface, you'll quickly switch to topwater plugs or metal jigs to cash in on the action. The Sound's tidal flow is key – fish stack up along current edges where baitfish get swept along. Your guide knows exactly which points, humps, and drop-offs produce during different tide phases. Don't worry if you're new to these techniques; part of what makes this trip special is learning from someone who's put in years figuring out what works in these specific waters.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Long Island Sound fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters can range from schoolie-sized 18-inchers up to true cows pushing 40-plus pounds. Spring and fall offer the hottest action when bass migrate through the Sound, but summer fishing around dawn and dusk can be phenomenal. What makes stripers special is their intelligence – they're not just randomly swimming around waiting for your hook. They hunt cooperatively, follow bait schools, and can be incredibly picky about presentation. When you hook one, especially a bigger fish, you'll understand why anglers get obsessed. They make long, powerful runs and have a habit of jumping that'll get your heart pumping.
Scup might not win any beauty contests, but these silver-dollar-shaped fish are absolutely delicious and provide nonstop action once you find a school. Also called porgy, they're abundant in the Sound from late spring through early fall. They travel in large groups and compete aggressively for food, which means once you start catching them, you can often fill your limit quickly. They love small pieces of squid, clam, or sea worms fished near the bottom around structure. Don't underestimate their fight – a good-sized scup will give your light tackle a workout.
Tautog are the bulldogs of the reef. These brownish, thick-bodied fish live around rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom where they crush crabs, mussels, and other shellfish with powerful jaws. Fall is prime time for tog fishing in the Sound, when they bulk up before winter. They're notorious bait stealers with a subtle bite that separates experienced anglers from beginners. But when you figure out their game and start connecting, you'll be hooked on the challenge. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any restaurant fish.
Black Sea Bass are another structure-loving species that'll test your skills. These dark, spiky fish hang around the same spots as tautog but are generally more aggressive feeders. They hit bucktails, small jigs, and chunks of bait with authority. Sea bass have bag limits and minimum sizes that change seasonally, but when they're open, they provide steady action and make great eating. They're also beautiful fish with their mottled patterns and bright blue highlights.
Southern Flounder are the shape-shifters of the Sound. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, ambushing prey that swims overhead. Summer into fall is your best bet for doormat-sized flounder that'll make your drag sing. They prefer areas where current meets structure – think channel edges, inlet mouths, and around bridge pilings. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right drift, but connecting with a big fluke is one of fishing's great thrills. They're also phenomenal on the dinner table.
Bluefish bring pure aggression to the Sound. When schools of blues move through chasing bait, it's some of the most exciting fishing you'll experience. They hit hard, fight dirty with powerful runs, and aren't shy about showing up in large numbers. Summer and early fall typically offer the best bluefish action. They'll eat almost anything that moves – lures, bait, even bare hooks sometimes. Just watch your fingers around those razor-sharp teeth. Smaller "snapper" blues are perfect for fish tacos, while
This well-equipped motorboat is your ticket to some of the best inshore fishing Long Island Sound has to offer. Built for comfort with space for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work the waters without feeling crowded. The onboard GPS keeps you on course to the hottest fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools of Flounder, Scup, Tautog, and those prized Striped Bass that cruise these productive waters. Perfect for weekend warriors or holiday fishing adventures, this boat handles the Sound's conditions with ease. Whether you're targeting bottom feeders around structure or casting for stripers along the shoreline, you'll have everything needed for a productive day on the water. Great for couples, fishing buddies, or introducing someone new to the sport.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Long Island Sound fishing. These silvered beauties with their signature dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds here, though we see plenty of schoolies in the teens too. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag and make long runs. You'll find them around structure - rocky points, drop-offs, and near baitfish schools. Spring through fall offers the best action as they migrate through our waters. What makes stripers special is they're both a blast to catch and excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: when you see birds working the surface, get there fast. The stripers are usually pushing baitfish up from below, and that's when the bite gets hot.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These aggressive predators show up in Long Island Sound from June through October, ranging from snapper-sized "baby blues" to chunky adults pushing 10-15 pounds. They hunt in schools, creating feeding frenzies that'll get your heart pumping. You'll find them chasing baitfish in open water, around structure, and especially where birds are diving. What makes blues exciting is their savage strike and bulldogging fight - plus they're great eating when fresh, with rich, flaky meat. Be careful of those razor-sharp teeth! Look for birds working the surface or baitfish getting pushed around. Here's a guide tip: when the blitz is on, anything shiny will work, but a simple metal spoon cast into the chaos rarely fails.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of disguise in Long Island Sound. These flatfish can change color to match the sandy or muddy bottom where they ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see some nice keepers pushing 3-5 pounds. They're found in shallow bays, around structure, and along drop-offs where they bury in sand with just their eyes showing. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them as they move inshore to feed. What makes flounder special is their unique look - both eyes on one side - and their excellent table quality. The meat is mild, white, and flaky. Here's the secret: use live minnows or strips of squid, fish it slow along the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They need time to turn the bait.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as the old-timers call them, are one of our most reliable fish from May through October. They're scrappy little fighters that typically run 8-14 inches and make great table fare with firm, white meat. You'll find schools of them around rocky bottoms, wrecks, and near pilings where they hunt for crabs and worms. They're perfect for families since they bite readily and aren't too picky about bait. While they're not the biggest fish in the sound, they make up for it with numbers and taste. Best part is they're easy to catch - just drop some squid or clam to the bottom and wait for that telltale tap. Pro tip: once you find one, work that spot hard because scup travel in schools.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are one of our most popular targets, and for good reason. These chunky fighters typically run 1-4 pounds with the occasional doormat pushing 6-8 pounds. You'll find them around wrecks, rocky bottom, and structure in 20-100 feet of water from late spring through summer. They're aggressive feeders that hit both bait and jigs hard, then put up a solid fight all the way to the boat. What guests love is they're great eating - sweet, firm meat that's hard to beat. During spawning season, the big males turn brilliant blue with a pronounced hump on their heads. Here's a tip that works: when you hook one, don't horse it up fast. Work the area thoroughly because where there's one sea bass, there's usually more.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of Long Island Sound - thick, powerful, and stubborn as they come. These mottled brown fighters typically run 2-5 pounds but can push 8-10 pounds around the deeper wrecks and rocky structure they call home. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy before and after their winter slowdown. What makes tog fishing addictive is the challenge - they live in snaggy bottom where you'll lose plenty of tackle, but land one and you'll taste some of the best eating fish in the sound. Their crushers can snap through shellfish easily. Here's the key: use green crabs, crush up some shells for chum, and fish right in the rocks. Change your bait every few minutes - fresh crab gets bit, old crab gets ignored.
Old Lyme, CT