Long Island Sound Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and black sea bass inshoreProfessional filleting and bagging service included with catchSixperson capacity trips with experienced local charter guides
When you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing on the East Coast, Long Island Sound delivers year after year. This massive estuary stretches over 100 miles and holds some serious fish – striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and black sea bass that'll put a bend in your rod and a smile on your face. With Fins Up Charters, you're not just getting a fishing trip; you're getting a shot at filling your cooler with some of the finest eating fish the Sound has to offer. We'll take care of the filleting and bagging so you can focus on what matters most – putting lines in the water and landing dinner.
The Sound is a fish factory, plain and simple. We fish the structure-rich areas where baitfish stack up and predators follow. Rocky outcrops, drop-offs, and sandy flats all hold different species depending on the season and conditions. You'll fish from our well-equipped charter boat with room for up to 6 anglers, so there's plenty of space to spread out and work different techniques. The beauty of the Sound is its diversity – one drift might produce keeper fluke, while the next pass brings schoolie stripers or hard-fighting bluefish. Water depths range from 20 to over 100 feet, giving us options no matter what the fish are doing. The boat stays comfortable even when the action heats up, and our fish boxes keep your catch fresh from hook to home.
Long Island Sound fishing means adapting to conditions and what the fish want on any given day. We'll work everything from live bait rigs with squid and killies to bucktails bounced along the bottom for fluke. When the stripers are feeding, we'll throw soft plastics or chunk fresh bunker depending on whether they're up top or hugging structure. Bluefish often respond best to shiny spoons or wire-leader rigs when they're in a feeding frenzy. Black sea bass love dropping baited hooks around rocky areas and wrecks where they hide out. The Sound's tidal flow is key – we time our drifts with the moving water that brings baitfish and gets predators active. Circle hooks keep fish hooked solid, and we'll show you how to work them properly if you're not familiar with the technique.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Sound fishing, and these fish have serious attitude. Spring and fall see the biggest runs as they migrate along the coast, but resident fish stick around all summer. They're smart, strong fighters that'll test your drag and your patience. Most fish we see run 18 to 28 inches, with plenty of keepers in the mix when regulations allow. They love structure, moving water, and will absolutely crush a well-presented bait. The meat is firm, white, and perfect for grilling or baking.
Bluefish are pure aggression on fins. These toothy predators show up in schools and feed like they're angry at the world. Summer months bring the best action, especially when baitfish are thick. They'll hit almost anything that moves and fight dirty – long runs, headshakes, and aerial shows. Size varies from snapper blues perfect for kids to 5-pound choppers that'll wear you out. The darker meat has a rich flavor that's outstanding when prepared fresh.
Summer flounder, or fluke as we call them, are the flatfish kings of the Sound. These ambush predators bury in sand and crush anything that swims by. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish often caught in deeper water during summer heat. They're notorious for light bites and quick drops, so staying alert is key. A good day on the fluke grounds can fill your cooler with some of the best eating fish in the ocean. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality every time.
Black sea bass are the bulldogs of the rocky bottom. These chunky fighters don't give up easy and love to dive straight back into structure when hooked. They're year-round residents but bite best during warmer months when they're most active. Most fish run 12 to 16 inches, but the Sound produces some real doormat bass that'll surprise you with their power. The firm, sweet meat makes them highly sought after by both recreational and commercial fishermen.
Long Island Sound consistently produces fish, and with Fins Up Charters, you're getting local knowledge that makes the difference between fishing and catching. We know where the fish are, what they're biting, and how to put you on them. The bonus of keeping your catch – cleaned, filleted, and bagged on ice – means you're taking home more than just memories. Whether you're an experienced angler or just starting out, the Sound offers action for everyone. Book your trip and discover why this body of water has been feeding families and creating fishing memories for generations. The fish are waiting, and your cooler is empty – let's fix that.
This 32-foot custom Downeast motorboat is built to handle Long Island Sound's waters while keeping you comfortable during those long fishing days. The 370hp Yanmar engine gets you to the hot spots quickly and brings you back with a full cooler. With room for six anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rails without bumping elbows when the stripers are running thick. The boat comes loaded with everything you need to find and catch fish - GPS to mark productive spots, radar for foggy mornings, fish finder to locate schools, and VHF radio to stay connected. Whether you're targeting bluefish in the rips, dropping for black sea bass on structure, or drifting for fluke on the flats, this setup handles it all. The onboard facilities include a head, so you can stay on the water longer when the bite is hot. Best part? Keep what you catch and they'll fillet your fish right on the boat, bagged on ice and ready for the dinner table.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, bottom-dwelling fighters that most folks really enjoy targeting. These gray-to-black fish typically run 1-4 pounds, though we see some nice 6-8 pounders around deeper structure. They hang around wrecks, rocky bottom, and hard structure in 30-100 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, with late summer being especially productive. What guests love is the steady, bulldogging fight they give - not flashy, but determined. The meat is sweet and flaky, some of the best eating in the Sound. Males turn bright blue during spawning and develop that distinctive hump on their heads. Pro tip: use a dropper rig with squid or clams, and fish it right on the bottom - they rarely chase bait up in the water column.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive fighters that show up in the Sound from late spring through fall, typically running 2-8 pounds with some reaching 15+. These silver-blue predators love to hunt in schools around structure - reefs, drop-offs, and bait concentrations. They're known for their feeding frenzies when they find bunker or other baitfish. What makes them popular is the hard initial run and steady fight they give. The meat is excellent when fresh, especially smaller "snapper" blues. They'll hit everything from metal jigs to live bait, but here's a tip: use a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Best action happens during moving water on the tide changes.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of Sound fishing - these silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we see plenty of schoolies and some real cows pushing 50+. They're structure-oriented fish that love rocky points, drop-offs, and moving water around bridges and reefs. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is the initial powerful run and sustained fight - they're strong, smart fish. The meat is firm and sweet, perfect for grilling. These fish are finicky, so matching the bait to what they're feeding on is crucial. My go-to tip: fish the tide changes around structure with live eels or bunker - patience pays off with stripers.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are the flatfish masters of disguise lying on sandy and muddy bottoms. Most run 15-20 inches, but we regularly see "doormat" fluke pushing 5-8 pounds that really test your drag. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sand around structure edges, drop-offs, and channel mouths in 15-60 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is prime season when they move inshore to feed. What makes them special is that sneaky bite and strong run when hooked - plus they're among the best eating fish in these waters. The key is keeping your bait moving along the bottom; they like to see action. A bucktail with strip bait or live killies drifted just off the bottom works magic.
Port Chester, NY