Extended Half Day Fishing Trip in Port Chester, NY
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6-hour fishing trip accommodates up to six guestsCaptain Danny provides all gear and hands-on instruction includedSpacious 32-foot boat offers comfortable Long Island Sound experience
Captain Danny's 6-hour extended half-day fishing trip from Port Chester puts you right in the heart of Long Island Sound's best fishing grounds. This isn't your typical rushed charter – you get real time to settle in, try different spots, and actually learn something while you're out there. The 32-foot Custom Downeast gives everyone plenty of room to move around, cast without bumping elbows, and just enjoy being on the water. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing or you're looking to dial in your technique, this trip adapts to what you need.
Six hours gives you the luxury of patience – something most half-day trips just can't offer. Captain Danny uses this extra time to move between productive spots based on what's biting and what you want to target. The short run from Port Chester means you're fishing within 20 minutes, not burning half your trip getting to the grounds. The boat's layout works perfectly for up to six anglers, with enough space for everyone to fish comfortably and plenty of storage for the cooler you'll hopefully be filling. All your gear is provided, but if you've got a lucky rod or favorite tackle box, bring it along. The captain knows these waters like his backyard – where the structure holds fish, which tides produce, and how to adjust when conditions change throughout the day.
Long Island Sound fishing means adapting your approach based on what you're after and where they're holding. You'll likely start with bottom fishing over structure for sea bass and porgies, using traditional high-low rigs with circle hooks and fresh bait. When stripers are in the area, expect to switch gears – maybe trolling with umbrella rigs or casting soft plastics around baitfish schools. Summer flounder require a different touch entirely, drifting with bucktails tipped with squid or gulp, working the boat to stay over productive bottom. Captain Danny reads the fish finder like a book and adjusts techniques based on what he's seeing down there. The extended time frame means you can really work an area if it's producing, or explore multiple spots if you need to find where they're stacked up.
Red porgy are one of those fish that get anglers addicted to bottom fishing. These pink and silver beauties typically run 1-3 pounds in these waters, with occasional larger specimens pushing 4-5 pounds. They're most active from late spring through early fall, hanging around rocky bottom and structure in 40-80 feet of water. What makes them special is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. They're also great for beginners because they fight hard for their size and aren't too finicky about bait presentation.
Summer flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the ultimate Long Island Sound gamefish. These flatfish can range from keeper-sized 19-inchers up to doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds. Peak season runs from May through September, with the largest fish typically showing up in deeper water during summer months. What makes fluke fishing addictive is the technique – you need to feel the subtle bite, set the hook at the right moment, and keep steady pressure during the fight. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for baitfish, which means you're constantly moving and searching for active fish.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of northeastern saltwater fishing, and Long Island Sound holds some fantastic fish. From schoolie-sized 18-inchers perfect for beginners up to keeper bass pushing 10-15 pounds, these fish provide steady action when they're around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best fishing, but resident fish provide opportunities all season long. Stripers are smart, often requiring different presentations throughout the day. They might hit topwater plugs at dawn, switch to live bait during midday, then go back to artificials as evening approaches. The fight is what hooks most anglers – strong runs and head shakes that test your drag.
Sea bass are the bread and butter of Long Island Sound bottom fishing. These chunky, aggressive fish typically run 1-3 pounds, with larger specimens reaching 4-5 pounds around deeper structure. They're active from late spring through fall, holding tight to rocky bottom, wrecks, and artificial reefs. What makes black sea bass perfect for charter fishing is their willingness to bite and schooling behavior – where you catch one, you'll often find more. They're excellent eating and provide consistent action when other species are finicky. The 15-inch minimum size means you're looking for fish with some real weight to them.
This extended half-day format gives you the best of both worlds – serious fishing time without the full-day commitment. Captain Danny's local knowledge and the boat's comfortable setup make this a top-rated choice for Port Chester fishing. The 6-hour window lets you experience different techniques, target multiple species, and actually relax between the action. Remember the 72-hour cancellation policy when planning around weather, and consider bringing snacks and drinks since meals aren't included. Whether you're introducing someone to saltwater fishing or looking to put some quality fish in the cooler, this trip delivers the kind of day that keeps anglers coming back to Long Island Sound.
Captain Danny's 32' Custom Downeast is your perfect fishing platform for exploring Long Island Sound's productive waters. This spacious motorboat handles six anglers comfortably while delivering the stability you want when fighting fish or navigating choppy conditions. The 370hp Yanmar engine gets you to the fishing grounds quickly, leaving more time with lines in the water. GPS and fish finder technology help locate productive spots, while the radar keeps you safe when weather moves in. The boat's downeast design cuts through waves smoothly, so you can focus on fishing instead of hanging onto the rail. With a private head onboard and plenty of deck space for casting, this vessel makes long days on the water enjoyable for everyone from first-timers learning to tie knots to seasoned anglers chasing their personal best.
Pagrus PagrusRed Porgy are beautiful pale red fish with metallic coloring that average around 13 inches but can grow up to 30 inches. They're found in 30-260 feet of water around rocky areas and sandy bottoms here in the Sound. These fish are surprisingly shy and won't come right up to the boat, so we use longer lines to keep our distance. They feed on crabs, clams, worms, and small fish, making them fairly easy to please with bait - just keep it under 2 inches. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. What makes them special is that delicate white meat that flakes perfectly - it's restaurant quality. My tip: use clams or squid on a fish finder rig and be patient near structure. They'll eventually show up if you wait them out.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are one of the most reliable fish we target - jet-black with gray bellies and those big mouths full of sharp teeth. They typically run around 12 inches and weigh close to a pound, though we catch some real chunky ones up to 26 inches. These fish live on hard bottom around wrecks, reefs, and rocky structure in 20-60 feet of water. They're aggressive feeders and travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more down there. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when they're spawning from January through July. Guests love them because they bite readily and make excellent table fare - that's why high-end restaurants pay top dollar. My secret: drop squid or clam strips on a bucktail jig right to the bottom and bounce it slowly. They can't resist it.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of fishing here on the Sound - those distinctive black stripes make them unmistakable. We catch them from schoolies around 20 inches up to cow bass pushing 40+ pounds. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around rocks, drop-offs, and moving water where baitfish get pushed around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we find them year-round. Early morning and evening bites are typically strongest. What makes them special is they fight hard and taste even better - that sweet, flaky white meat is hard to beat. These fish are picky eaters, so live bunker, eels, or fresh clams work best. Pro tip: look for diving birds and bait balls on the surface. When you find the bait, you'll find hungry stripers underneath waiting to feed.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise - flatfish that lie on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side, perfectly camouflaged. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some real doormat-sized fish pushing 26 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand near drop-offs, channels, and structure throughout the Sound. September through November is prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What guests love is the challenge - you need to feel that subtle tap and set the hook sideways since they bite left to right. The meat is absolutely top-notch, firm and sweet. Here's my go-to method: drift with live minnows or sea worms on a circle hook, and use just enough weight to stay on bottom. Keep your rod tip sensitive - they pick up bait gently.
Port Chester, NY