Full Day Guided Fishing Trip - Greenport, NY
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day private charter targets five local fish speciesEight hours combining casting and bottom fishing techniquesProfessional guidance and equipment included for six guests
Looking for a top-rated fishing charter that gives you the full Long Island Sound experience? East End Fishing Charters delivers exactly that with this world-class 8-hour private trip out of Greenport. You and up to four buddies will have the boat to yourselves, switching between casting techniques and bottom fishing to target some of the area's most sought-after species. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're after hard-fighting stripers or tasty porgies for the dinner table. All your gear and tackle are included, so just bring your crew and get ready for a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job – eight full hours means we can really work the water and give every angler time to dial in their technique. We'll start early to beat the crowds and make the most of prime fishing windows. The beauty of this charter is the variety: when the bass are schooling up top, we'll throw plugs and soft plastics. When the bite slows, we'll anchor up over structure and drop down for sea bass and tautog. Captain reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means working the rocky points for stripers or hitting the deeper channels where the fluke like to hang out. The boat's equipped with top-shelf electronics to find the fish, and there's plenty of deck space for everyone to fish comfortably without getting tangled up. Groups love this format because beginners get plenty of coaching time, while experienced anglers can focus on landing their personal best.
We'll run a mix of techniques depending on what the fish are doing and what you want to learn. For the casting action, we use everything from topwater plugs when the blues are busting bait on the surface to soft plastics bounced along the bottom for stripers. The gear is perfectly matched to the conditions – medium-heavy spinning rods for the casting work and conventional setups when we need to get down deep. Bottom fishing is where a lot of folks fill their coolers, especially targeting sea bass around the rocky structure and porgies over the sandy bottom. We'll rig up with circle hooks and sinkers matched to the current, and Captain will show you how to feel the difference between a nibble and a keeper pulling hard. The depth finder helps locate the sweet spots where fish stack up, and we'll move around until we find actively feeding schools. Don't worry if you've never used some of this gear before – part of what makes this trip special is learning new techniques that'll make you a better angler long after you leave Greenport.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Long Island Sound fishing, and Greenport puts you right in prime striper territory. These fish can range anywhere from schoolie size up to true cows pushing 40+ pounds, and they fight like nothing else in these waters. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're moving through in big numbers, but summer holds plenty of resident fish around the deeper channels and rocky points. What makes stripers so special is their intelligence – they'll test every bit of technique you've got, and when you finally connect with a big one, that first run will have your drag screaming. The variety of ways to catch them keeps things interesting too, from topwater blowups at dawn to deep jigging in the afternoon.
Bluefish are the aggressors of the Sound, and when they're around, you'll know it. These toothy predators travel in schools and absolutely demolish baitfish, creating some of the most exciting visual fishing you'll ever see. They typically run 2-10 pounds in these waters, with the occasional chopper pushing bigger numbers. Summer into early fall is prime time when they're chasing bunker and snappers close to shore. Blues fight dirty – they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw the hook. What anglers love about them is the consistency: when you find a school, everyone on the boat can get in on the action. Plus, they're fantastic on the table when prepared fresh, with that rich, distinctive flavor that's perfect for the grill.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are the ultimate bottom dwellers and a customer favorite for their impressive size and excellent eating quality. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottom waiting to ambush prey. The sound produces quality fluke from late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish often found in 20-40 feet of water along channel edges. What makes fluke fishing so addictive is the subtlety – you need to develop a feel for their light bite, and setting the hook at the right moment takes practice. Door-mat fluke over 5 pounds are always possible, and there's nothing quite like seeing a big flattie come over the rail after a long fight on light tackle.
Tautog, or blackfish, are the bulldogs of the rocky bottom, and they'll test your tackle and technique like no other species. These fish are built like tanks, with powerful jaws designed to crush crabs and mussels off the rocks. Fall and early winter are prime tautog seasons when they're feeding heavily before the cold sets in. They typically run 2-6 pounds, but the occasional 8+ pound citation fish keeps things interesting. What makes tautog fishing special is the precision required – you need to get your bait right in the rocks without getting snagged, and when they bite, you have seconds to pull them away from structure. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for chowder or simply pan-fried.
Spotted Weakfish bring a different kind of excitement to the mix with their spectacular jumps and surprising strength for their size. These silver beauties are related to speckled trout and share that same tendency to leap clear of the water when hooked. They prefer areas with current an
Step aboard our beautifully restored 41-foot custom sportfishing boat for your Greenport fishing adventure. This classic 1969 vessel got a complete makeover in 2019 and runs like a dream with its robust 600HP Cummins engine. Built to handle Long Island's waters with ease, she comfortably accommodates up to 6 anglers while you target striped bass, bluefish, sea bass, porgy, and weakfish. You'll spend your 8-hour charter switching between casting techniques and bottom fishing, giving everyone in your group chances to try different approaches. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation to find the best fishing spots, and there's plenty of deck space to move around while fighting fish. Whether you're after that trophy striper or filling the cooler with dinner, this sportfisher has the power and stability to get you where the fish are biting around Greenport's productive waters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are pure aggression on fins - they'll attack anything that moves with razor-sharp triangular teeth. Most run 5-20 pounds around here, though they can hit 40. These migratory fish show up mid-June and stick around until October, moving in schools along the coast. You'll find them everywhere from sandy beaches to rocky points, often creating feeding frenzies called "bluefish blitzes" where they churn the water like washing machines. What makes them special is their fighting spirit and decent eating when prepared fresh - smaller ones under 10 pounds taste best. They're cannibalistic and will even eat their own young, so they're not picky about lures. The action peaks in late summer when "snappers" (juveniles) flood the bays. My tip: use wire leaders because they'll bite through anything else, and handle them carefully - those teeth mean business even when they're in the boat.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted weakfish are solid fighters that run 12-16 inches on average, though they can push 3 feet and 17 pounds. They're actually drum fish, not trout, and make that distinctive croaking sound. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters over sand and grass, usually within 30 feet. They're ambush predators with big canine teeth, going after shrimp, anchovies, and small fish. Spring through late summer is prime time when they move into bays to spawn. What makes them great targets is their aggressive strikes on lures and flies - they'll hit colorful offerings hard. The meat is excellent eating, just pick out any harmless spaghetti worms when filleting. Here's the key: retrieve slowly until they approach, then speed up to trigger that strike reflex. Their mouths are soft, so let them hook themselves rather than setting hard.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the king of our local waters - powerful fish with those distinctive dark stripes running nose to tail. Most of our fish run 20-40 pounds, but they can push 70 pounds and 5 feet long. They're structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, rock piles, and shoreline breaks where they ambush baitfish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is their strong fight and excellent eating - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They prefer moving water and hunt actively during dawn and dusk when they push bait to the surface. These fish are smart and can be picky about presentations. The secret is matching your bait to what they're feeding on - live herring, eels, or bunker work best. Fish the moving water near structure with just enough weight to stay in the strike zone, and be ready for that freight train hit.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the chameleons of the seafloor - flatfish that can change color to match their surroundings perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but they can reach 26 pounds and live 20 years. Both eyes migrate to their left side as they grow, so they lie on the bottom and ambush prey from below. You'll find them on sandy and muddy bottoms from shallow bays to offshore waters, especially around structure transitions. Fall fishing from September to November is prime time when they're most active. Guests love the challenge of feeling that subtle bite and the payoff - fluke are some of the best eating fish in our waters. They're excellent swimmers despite their odd shape and will chase down faster prey when needed. The trick is using a long leader with your bait barely moving along the bottom. Hook smaller baitfish through the eye and larger ones through the lips - let them take it and run before setting the hook.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, or blackfish, are the bulldogs of our local waters. These chunky wrasse average 1-3 pounds but can hit 28 pounds and live 40 years. They hang around rocky structure - jetties, boulders, and reefs - where they crunch crabs, mussels, and barnacles with powerful jaws. Spring through fall is best, especially late April into August when they're territorial around spawning time. What guests love is the challenge - they're sneaky biters that require finesse, and they taste fantastic. Their thick, rubbery skin helps them navigate sharp rocks without getting cut up. During the day they're active feeders, but at night they literally lie on their sides and sleep. Pro tip: use fresh green crab, crush up the legs and claws to make a scent trail, and fish just off the rocks rather than right in them. Change your bait every 5 minutes or it loses effectiveness.
Greenport, NY, United States