Long Island Sound Fishing with Fins Up Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and black sea bass inshoreProfessional filleting and bagging service included with catchSmall group fishing experience accommodating up to six guests
Long Island Sound delivers some of the best inshore fishing on the East Coast, and there's no better way to experience it than with Fins Up Charters. This top-rated fishing operation knows exactly where to find the hot spots, whether you're after hard-fighting stripers, aggressive bluefish, tasty fluke, or keeper-sized black sea bass. With room for up to six anglers, this trip gives you plenty of elbow room to work your lines without bumping into each other. Plus, you're keeping everything you catch – and the crew will clean and bag your fish on ice so you can take home a cooler full of fresh fillets.
Your day starts early when you meet the Fins Up crew at the dock. The Sound offers protected waters with plenty of structure, from rocky reefs to sandy flats where different species love to hang out. You'll be fishing productive waters that local captains have been working for decades, with the crew reading the conditions to put you on fish throughout the day. The boat's rigged with quality tackle and all the gear you need, though seasoned anglers are welcome to bring their favorite rods. Expect to move around during the trip – the captain knows when to stay put on a hot bite and when it's time to relocate to find more action. The waters here stay relatively calm compared to open ocean fishing, making this a great choice for families or anyone who gets seasick easily.
Long Island Sound fishing means adapting your approach based on what's biting and where you're fishing. You'll be using a mix of techniques throughout the day – drifting with bait over structure for black sea bass, trolling for stripers and blues when they're spread out, and bottom fishing for fluke on sandy spots. The crew provides all tackle, from light spinning gear for smaller species to heavier conventional setups when you need to get down deep or handle bigger fish. Live bait, fresh chunks, and proven lures are all part of the arsenal. Don't worry if you're new to saltwater fishing – the crew will get you rigged up and show you the ropes. They know exactly what's working on any given day, whether it's bouncing jigs along the bottom or slow-trolling umbrella rigs through schools of baitfish.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Long Island Sound fishing. These powerful fish can range from schoolie-sized 18-inchers up to trophy bass pushing 40 pounds or more. Spring and fall are prime time when bass are feeding heavily during their migrations, but summer fishing can be red-hot when you find them chasing baitfish in deeper water. What makes stripers special is their fight – they'll make long runs, jump, and test your drag like few other fish. Plus, they're absolutely delicious on the table, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or baking.
Bluefish bring the attitude to Long Island Sound. These aggressive predators hit hard and fight dirty, often jumping and thrashing when hooked. Blues can show up in massive schools, creating feeding frenzies that'll have every rod on the boat bent over. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are abundant. While smaller "snapper" blues are common, the Sound produces plenty of bigger choppers in the 3-8 pound range. Their rich, oily meat is fantastic smoked or grilled fresh, but you want to ice them down quickly and eat them soon after catching.
Summer Flounder, better known as fluke, are the flatfish everyone wants to catch. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and strike fast when prey swims by. The Sound's varied bottom structure creates perfect fluke habitat, and the crew knows exactly where to drift for the best action. Legal fluke start at 19 inches in most areas, but the real prizes are those doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds. They're tricky to hook since they often grab bait and run before setting up, but once you dial in the technique, you'll be putting keeper fluke in the box. Their mild, sweet meat makes them one of the best eating fish in these waters.
Black Sea Bass might be smaller than the other targets, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers love rocky structure and wrecks, where they hunt crabs and small fish. Most black sea bass run 1-3 pounds, but the Sound produces some chunky 4-5 pounders that really bend the rod. They're open season during summer and early fall, with generous bag limits that let you stock up on these tasty fish. Their firm white meat has a slightly sweet flavor that works perfectly fried, baked, or in fish tacos.
Long Island Sound fishing with Fins Up Charters gives you everything you need for a successful day on the water. You'll fish productive waters with an experienced crew who knows these fishing grounds inside and out, use quality tackle that's perfectly matched to the conditions, and take home a cooler full of fresh fillets. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or a family wanting to create lasting memories, this trip delivers the goods. The Sound's diverse fishery means there's always something biting, and the protected waters make for comfortable fishing even when conditions get rough outside. Don't wait – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak season when the fish are most active.
This 32' Custom Downeast motorboat is built to handle Long Island Sound's waters with ease. The 370hp Yanmar engine delivers smooth, stable rides whether you're chasing striped bass or hunting fluke in the shallows. With room for six anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rails without bumping elbows. The fish finder helps locate schools while GPS keeps you on the productive spots. When visibility drops, radar keeps you safe heading back to port. A marine VHF radio maintains contact with other boats and the Coast Guard. The onboard toilet means longer fishing days without cutting trips short. Captain handles all the navigation while you focus on filling the cooler with stripers, bluefish, black sea bass, and whatever else is biting. Fresh fillets go straight on ice so you head home with dinner-ready fish. This Downeast design cuts through chop and handles the Sound's changing conditions, keeping everyone comfortable from first light to last cast.
Centropristis StriataThese chunky bottom dwellers hang around rocky structure, wrecks, and reefs throughout the Sound. Most run 1-3 pounds, but keeper-sized fish over 15 inches pack solid muscle. They're curious fish with big appetites for crabs, squid, and small baitfish. Best fishing happens late spring through fall when they move into shallower water to feed. Males turn bright blue during spawning and develop that distinctive hump on their heads. They fight hard for their size, making strong runs toward structure. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find - sweet and mild. My go-to technique is dropping squid or clam strips right to the bottom with enough weight to stay put. When you feel that tap-tap bite, set the hook quick before they duck back into the rocks.
Pomatomus SaltatrixThese aggressive fighters show up in the Sound from late spring through fall, following baitfish like bunker and squid. Most blues we catch run 3-8 pounds, though larger ones hit 15+ pounds. They're voracious feeders with razor-sharp teeth that'll attack anything shiny. You'll find them hunting in schools near the surface, especially around moving water and structure. They put up a solid fight with hard runs and head shakes. The meat is rich and flaky when fresh - smaller fish taste milder than the big ones. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon because those teeth will cut through regular line in seconds. When you see birds diving, get there fast - that's where the feeding frenzy is happening.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of our fishery here, running anywhere from schoolie size up to 40+ pound cows. These fish love structure - rocky points, drop-offs, and anywhere current moves baitfish around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're feeding heavily on bunker, herring, and eels. They're strong fighters that make long runs and test your drag. The meat is excellent eating with a sweet, flaky texture that's hard to beat. You can target them from surface to bottom depending on conditions and baitfish location. Early morning and evening hours typically produce the most consistent action. Local secret: focus on the tide changes around rocky structure. Match your bait to what they're feeding on - when bunker are around, nothing beats a live one fished under a float.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush prey. Most fluke we catch range 16-22 inches, with the big females reaching trophy size over 5 pounds. They love sandy bottoms near drop-offs, channels, and edges where current brings food. Prime time is late spring through early fall when they're feeding heavily in shallow water. They're fun to catch because you never know what size you've hooked until it's at the boat. The firm white meat is outstanding - mild and sweet with no fishy taste. Fluke have a unique sideways bite, so patience pays off. Here's the key: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid or spearing, and work it slow along the bottom with little hops. Let it sit for a few seconds between bounces.
Port Chester, NY