Half Day Morning Fishing Adventure in Port Chester NY
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour morning fishing trip on Long Island SoundAccommodates up to 6 guests with all gear and instruction includedSpacious 32foot vessel with short travel times for maximum fishing
Looking for a solid half-day fishing adventure without the commitment of a full day on the water? Captain Danny's got you covered with this 4-hour morning trip departing right from Port Chester. This isn't your typical rushed charter – we're talking about a relaxed pace that gives everyone time to actually enjoy the fishing, whether you're bringing the kids for their first time or you're a seasoned angler looking to get into some quality fish on Long Island Sound. The 32-foot Custom Downeast boat handles beautifully in these waters, and with room for up to six people, your group won't feel cramped while working the lines.
This top-rated morning trip kicks off early to take advantage of the best fishing hours when the fish are most active. Captain Danny knows these local waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on productive spots without burning half your charter time running to distant grounds. The beauty of fishing Long Island Sound is that we don't need to travel far to find quality fish – more time with lines in the water means more opportunities to hook up. The boat's equipped with all the tackle you'll need, from bottom rigs for sea bass to the gear needed for chasing stripers. Don't worry if you're new to this – Captain Danny provides hands-on instruction that'll have beginners feeling confident and experienced anglers picking up new tricks.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and what the group wants to target. Bottom fishing with conventional rigs is bread and butter for the porgies and sea bass, using circle hooks and enough weight to stay put in the current. When we're after stripers, we might switch to live bait or work some artificials if they're feeding actively. The fluke fishing typically involves bouncing bucktails with gulp or live bait trailers along the bottom structure. Captain Danny keeps the tackle boxes stocked with everything from 1/0 circle hooks for the smaller stuff up to the heavier gear needed when a good-sized striper decides to make a run. The boat's fishfinder helps locate structure and bait schools, and the captain's local knowledge fills in the gaps that electronics can't cover.
Red Porgy have been the customer favorite lately – these feisty bottom dwellers put up a solid fight and make excellent table fare. They're most active during the warmer months and tend to hang around rocky structure and drop-offs where they feed on crabs and small baitfish. What makes porgies exciting is their aggressive bite and the fact that where you find one, you'll usually find more. Summer Flounder, or fluke as the locals call them, are the flatfish everyone wants to hook into. These ambush predators can grow surprisingly large in Long Island Sound, with doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds always a possibility. They're most active from late spring through early fall, and there's nothing quite like feeling that distinctive thump when a fluke inhales your bait. Striped Bass are the crown jewel of northeast fishing – these hard-fighting fish can range from schoolie size up to true cows pushing 30+ pounds. They're available spring through fall, with the best action often coming during their seasonal migrations. The power of a good striper taking drag is something every angler should experience. Sea Bass round out the target list as reliable action fish that rarely disappoint. These aggressive bottom dwellers are excellent for beginners since they bite consistently and fight hard for their size, plus they're outstanding eating.
This world-class morning fishing experience gives you the best of both worlds – quality time on productive waters without sacrificing your entire day. Whether you're planning a family outing, introducing someone to fishing, or just want to get out and wet a line before other commitments, this 4-hour trip delivers. Captain Danny's local expertise and the boat's comfort make for a winning combination that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Remember that 72-hour cancellation policy gives you flexibility if weather doesn't cooperate. Don't wait too long to secure your date – the best fishing spots and prime morning departure times fill up quickly, especially during peak season when the fish are most cooperative.
Captain Danny's 32' Custom Downeast is built specifically for the waters of Long Island Sound, combining comfort with serious fishing capability. The spacious layout gives all six anglers room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up. Powered by a reliable 370hp Yanmar engine, she gets you to the fishing grounds quickly and handles the Sound's chop with ease. The boat comes loaded with everything you need - GPS to mark productive spots, fish finder to locate schools, radar for safety, and VHF radio for marine communication. There's even a head on board for longer trips. The stable platform makes it easy to land stripers, fluke, and whatever else is biting, while the smooth ride keeps everyone comfortable whether you're a seasoned angler or first-timer. Built for these waters and designed for fishing success.
Pagrus PagrusRed Porgy are beautiful fish with that distinctive pale red, metallic shine and those bright yellow-orange pectoral fins. Most run 13 inches, but we've seen some nice 4-5 pounders that really bend the rod. They hang around rocky structure and hard bottom in 30-260 feet, though we often find them closer to the surface in the Sound. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them when water temps are right. What makes them special is that delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best table fare around. They're not picky eaters either, going after clams, squid, or worms. Here's the key: keep your bait small, under 2 inches, and be patient around the structure. These fish are shy and won't come right to the boat, so let that bait sit and work the rocks.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are one of our most reliable targets around the rocky structure and wrecks in the Sound. These chunky, dark fish average around a foot long and 2-3 pounds, but we catch some real doorknobs pushing 5-6 pounds that fight like they're twice that size. They stick tight to hard bottom - jetties, rock piles, and any structure with good current flow. Spring through early fall is your best window when they're up feeding actively. What guests love is how aggressive they are - these fish hit hard and don't give up easy once hooked. They're also some of the best eating fish in our waters with firm, sweet white meat. Since they travel in schools, once you find one spot producing, you can often fill the cooler. Pro tip: use a high-low rig with squid or clam strips and keep it right on the bottom - they rarely come up to feed.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of our Long Island Sound fishing. These silver-sided beauties with those classic black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we see everything from schoolies to real cows. They love structure - rocky points, drop-offs, and anywhere current moves baitfish around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're feeding heavy on bunker, herring, and silversides. Early morning and evening are prime times when they come up to hunt. What makes them special is that fight - they're strong, stubborn fish that'll test your gear. Plus, stripers are fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. The key is matching the bait to what they're feeding on. When you see birds working or bait flipping on the surface, get your lines in there fast. Use circle hooks with live bait for the best hookup ratio.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder, or fluke as most of us call them, are the masters of disguise down there on the sandy bottom. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, but the bigger females can hit 26 pounds and really test your drag. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting to grab whatever swims by. Fall is prime time - September through November when they're feeding heavy before heading offshore. The Sound's sandy flats and drop-offs near structure are your best bets. What guests love is the surprise factor - you never know when that subtle tap turns into a bulldogging fight. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm white meat. My tip: use a bucktail with a strip of squid or live killie, and drag it slow along the bottom. When you feel that pickup, count to three before setting the hook.
Port Chester, NY