Full-Day Shark Fishing in Island Park Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour shark fishing adventure aboard FV MargaritaCaptain Tim Yagnisis provides expert guidance and top gearSmall group experience with maximum four guests capacity
Picture this: you're eight miles off Long Island's south shore, lines set deep with fresh bunker, waiting for that telltale scream of your reel as a blue shark makes its move. Captain Tim Yagnisis has been running these shark trips out of Island Park for years, and he knows exactly where these apex predators cruise during peak season. The FV Margarita is your ticket to some of the most consistent shark action you'll find anywhere along the New York coast. With just four anglers max, you're not fighting crowds – you're getting the personalized attention that makes the difference between going home with stories and going home with epic photos.
This isn't your typical bottom fishing trip where you're anchored up hoping for fluke. We're talking about an 8-hour commitment to serious shark fishing, and Captain Tim runs it like the seasoned pro he is. You'll head out around sunrise, making the run to productive waters where the thermocline sets up just right. The boat carries all the heavy tackle you need – think 50 and 80-pound class outfits spooled with fresh line and rigged with circle hooks that'll do the job without gut-hooking these magnificent fish. The captain provides all bait, typically fresh bunker, mackerel, and whatever's been producing lately. You'll set up a proper chum slick and deploy multiple lines at different depths – this is strategic fishing at its finest. Don't expect constant action; shark fishing requires patience, but when it happens, your adrenaline will be pumping like nothing else. These fish are powerful, smart, and they'll test every ounce of your fishing skills.
Captain Tim doesn't mess around with light tackle when it comes to sharks. The boat's equipped with top-shelf Penn and Shimano reels mounted on custom rods designed to handle fish that can easily hit triple digits. We're using circle hooks exclusively – not just because it's the right thing to do for the sharks, but because they drastically improve your hookup ratio. The key to successful shark fishing here is all about the chum. We'll establish a solid slick using ground bunker, fish oil, and chunks of fresh bait. Lines get deployed at 20, 40, and 80 feet down, because different species cruise at different depths depending on water temperature and bait concentration. You'll learn proper fighting technique – pumping and winding, not just cranking – because these battles can last 30 minutes or more. Wire leaders are a must with these toothy predators, and Captain Tim ties his own rigs using quality components that won't fail when it counts. The boat's equipped with a proper release setup too, so we can get clean photos and send these sharks back healthy.
Blue sharks are the bread and butter of our Long Island shark fishing scene, and for good reason. These sleek predators show up in our waters from late May through October, with peak action typically hitting in July and August when water temperatures climb into the 70s. Blues are incredibly beautiful fish – that electric blue coloration is something photos never quite capture. They're also fighters that know how to use their speed and agility. Most of the blues we see range from 50 to 150 pounds, though bigger fish definitely cruise these waters. What makes them special is their willingness to bite during daylight hours and their tendency to show up in numbers. When you find blues, you often find multiple fish, which means everyone on board gets a shot. They're curious by nature and will often circle the boat, giving you those heart-stopping moments as you watch your target swim right past your bait.
Thresher sharks are the holy grail of our local shark fishing, and Captain Tim knows the specific spots where these incredible fish hunt. Threshers are absolutely unique – that massive tail fin can be as long as their entire body, and they use it like a whip to stun schools of baitfish. These are bigger, stronger sharks than blues, typically running 100 to 300 pounds in our waters. They're also much more challenging to hook consistently, which makes landing one a real achievement. Threshers prefer slightly deeper, cooler water and are most active during dawn and dusk periods. Their fighting style is completely different from blues – they're power fighters that will sound deep and use their incredible tail to throw hooks. The best thresher fishing happens from mid-June through September, with early morning trips often producing the most action. When you hook a thresher, you'll know immediately – the initial run is absolutely explosive, and the fight that follows will test every component of your tackle.
Here's the bottom line: if you want to experience world-class shark fishing without traveling to exotic destinations, this trip delivers. Captain Tim's reputation for putting anglers on fish is well-earned, and the FV Margarita is set up specifically for this type of fishing. The small group size means you're getting personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to fight fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add sharks to your bucket list or someone who wants to step up from the typical bottom fishing routine, this charter offers something genuinely special. Peak season books up fast, especially weekends, so don't wait until the last minute. The combination of Captain Tim's local knowledge, proper equipment, and productive fishing grounds makes this one of the top-rated shark fishing experiences you'll find anywhere in New York waters. Give yourself the gift of a legitimate big game fishing adventure – book your 8-hour shark charter today and get ready for fishing that'll have you talking for years to come.
The FV Margarita is a reliable 26-foot Stratos center console that'll get you out to the prime shark fishing grounds off Island Park. This 1998 boat packs a 300HP Suzuki engine that cruises at 34 knots, so you'll spend more time fishing and less time traveling. Captain Tim keeps the boat well-equipped with GPS, radar, and fish finder to locate the best spots where the big predators are lurking. The center console design gives you plenty of room to fight those hard-running sharks, with space for up to 4 anglers to work the water comfortably. There's an icebox onboard to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days on the water, plus a head for convenience during the 8-hour trip. The open layout makes it easy to move around when you're battling a monster from the deep, and the electronics package ensures we can find fish even when conditions get challenging.
Prionace GlaucaBlue sharks are some of the most beautiful predators you'll encounter out here. These torpedo-shaped fish have that classic deep blue coloring that fades to white underneath - perfect camouflage in open water. Most run 7-10 feet, with females hitting 200-400 pounds while males stay lighter at 60-120 pounds. They cruise the deeper waters around 1,150 feet, but we'll bring them up with good chum made from mackerel, herring, and squid. Best fishing happens in warmer months when water temps hit 54-68°F. What makes them special is their curious nature and solid fight without being overly aggressive. Here's the key: keep your baited line at least 20 feet from the boat. Blues will come in for a look, but that distance gives you control when they commit to the bite.
Alopias VulpinusThreshers are the showboats of shark fishing - that massive tail fin can be as long as their body, making them unforgettable when they breach. These blue-grey predators average 16 feet and 510 pounds, but the big ones push 20 feet. They hunt in depths from shallow water down to 2,100 feet, usually 40-50 miles offshore in 60-70°F water. Late spring through fall gives you the best shot at them here in New York waters. What sets them apart is how they use that tail like a whip to stun baitfish at 50 mph - pure power when hooked. They hit hard and fight harder, bursting to 30 mph. Since they have smaller mouths than you'd expect, use strong 8/0 hooks with 8-10 feet of heavy leader. Mackerel works great, and here's the trick: let your bait sink 25-50 feet and drift slowly around bait balls.
Montauk