Half Day Morning Fishing Trip in Port Chester, NY
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4-hour morning fishing trip on Long Island SoundAccommodates up to 6 guests with included gear and instructionSpacious 32-foot boat with customized trips for all skill levels
Captain Danny's got the perfect setup for your next fishing adventure on the Long Island Sound. This 4-hour morning trip launches right from Port Chester, keeping your drive short and your time on the water long. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking to hit some productive inshore spots, this trip delivers. The 32' Custom Downeast handles six guests comfortably, and with all gear included plus hands-on instruction, you'll be fishing smart from the moment you leave the dock.
Your morning kicks off early when the fish are most active and the Sound is still calm. Captain Danny knows these waters like the back of his hand – every reef, every drop-off, every structure that holds fish. The beauty of this half-day format is you get quality fishing time without the full-day commitment, making it perfect for families with younger kids or anyone testing the waters before booking a longer trip. The spacious downeast design means everyone has room to fish without tangling lines, and the stable platform makes it easy to handle fish and move around safely. You'll spend most of your time within a few miles of shore, hitting the productive areas where stripers cruise, sea bass stack up, and flounder lay in wait. Danny provides all the tackle, bait, and local knowledge – you just need to bring your fishing license and appetite for some serious action.
The Long Island Sound offers diverse fishing opportunities, and Captain Danny adjusts tactics based on conditions and what's biting. You'll likely start with some bottom fishing using circle hooks and fresh bait for sea bass and porgy – these species love structure, so expect to fish around rocks, reefs, and wrecks. For striped bass, the approach changes completely. Depending on the season, you might troll with umbrella rigs, cast live eels around structure, or work the tide lines with soft plastics. Summer flounder fishing requires a totally different skill set – you'll be drifting with bucktails tipped with strips or fishing with live killies near sandy bottoms and drop-offs. The captain provides spinning and conventional gear appropriate for the target species, from lighter tackle for porgy to heavier setups when big stripers are in the mix. All the rods are well-maintained and matched with quality reels that can handle whatever you hook into. Danny's tackle box is stocked with everything from diamond jigs to soft plastics, and he's always got fresh bait on ice.
Red porgy are one of the Sound's best-kept secrets and a customer favorite on these trips. These deep-bodied fish average 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They're structure-oriented, so you'll find them around rocks and reefs in 30-60 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best porgy action, and they're excellent table fare with sweet, firm white meat. What makes porgy fishing so addictive is their aggressive nature – once you find a school, the action can be non-stop.
Summer flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the Sound's premier flatfish and a top target from May through September. These ambush predators can range from keeper-sized 18-inchers to doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. They're masters of camouflage, burying in sand and mud bottoms waiting to attack baitfish. The thrill of fluke fishing is in the subtlety – feeling that gentle tap, setting the hook, and never knowing if you've got a short fish or a wall-hanger until it breaks the surface. Plus, few fish beat fresh fluke fillets on the dinner table.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Long Island Sound fishing and the reason many anglers become obsessed with these waters. From schoolie-sized fish perfect for beginners to trophy stripers exceeding 30 inches, the variety keeps every trip interesting. Spring and fall migrations bring the best opportunities, but resident fish provide action throughout the warmer months. Stripers are smart, strong fighters that test your tackle and technique. They'll hit everything from live eels to topwater plugs, and landing your first keeper striper is a rite of passage every angler remembers.
Sea bass round out the target list and they're perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These chunky, aggressive fish rarely disappoint and average 1-2 pounds with occasional jumbo specimens exceeding 3 pounds. They're structure-oriented like porgy but even more aggressive, often hitting baits before they reach bottom. Sea bass season runs from May through December with peak action in summer and fall. Their willingness to bite and excellent eating quality make them a crowd-pleaser, especially for families with kids who want steady action.
Captain Danny's morning trips fill up fast, especially during prime season when the fishing heats up. This top-rated charter combines the perfect mix of local expertise, quality equipment, and productive fishing grounds that keep customers coming back year after year. The 4-hour format gives you serious fishing time without the full-day commitment, and the 72-hour cancellation policy provides flexibility for weather concerns. Whether you're planning a family outing, bachelor party, or just want to get away from the desk for a morning, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing days book up quickly, and you don't want to miss out on what could be your best fishing trip of the year.
This 32' Custom Downeast motorboat is your ticket to productive fishing on Long Island Sound. Built specifically for these waters, she handles chop like a champ and keeps everyone comfortable during those 4-hour morning trips. The 370hp Yanmar diesel gets you to the fish quickly and reliably, while the spacious layout gives all six anglers plenty of room to work without getting tangled up. Captain Danny's boat comes loaded with everything serious fishermen need - GPS and fish finder to locate the best spots, radar for safety, and VHF radio to stay connected. The enclosed head means no cutting trips short, and the stable platform makes landing fish easier for everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros. Short runs from Port Chester mean more time with lines in the water and less time burning fuel, perfect for targeting stripers, fluke, and whatever else is biting inshore.
Pagrus PagrusRed porgy are beautiful pale red fish that usually run 13 inches and 4 pounds, though bigger ones can hit 30 inches and 20+ pounds. They're fairly shy and prefer rocky areas in 30-260 feet of water, though we often find them closer to the surface. These fish aren't picky eaters - they'll hit clams, worms, squid, or small crabs. Spring through fall are your best bets when water temps warm up. What makes them special is that sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any restaurant fish. They put up a decent fight too. Pro tip: keep your bait under 2 inches and be patient around structure - they'll come investigate but won't rush the boat like other species.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy little fighters with jet-black scales and aggressive appetites. Most run around a foot long and weigh close to a pound, though bigger ones can hit 26 inches. These bottom dwellers love hard structure like wrecks, reefs, and jetties where they hunt crabs, shrimp, and small fish in schools. They're year-round residents but really turn on from spring through fall when water warms up. What guests love is their willingness to bite and that firm, sweet meat that's restaurant-quality. They hit hard and fight all the way to the boat despite their size. Best trick: drop a bucktail jig or piece of squid right to the bottom near structure and work it slow. They'll often hit on the drop, so stay ready.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the kings of Long Island Sound - those seven distinctive black stripes make them easy to spot. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, but they can grow much bigger. These structure-loving fish cruise along shorelines, bridges, and drop-offs looking for baitfish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're moving and feeding hard. Stripers are strong fighters that'll test your drag, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. They prefer moving water and feed actively at dawn and dusk. My go-to tip: use live bunker or eels near structure when the tide's running. They're finicky but once you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Watch for birds diving - that's usually stripers pushing bait to the surface.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise - these flatfish change color to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can hit 26 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to nail passing baitfish. September through November is prime time when they're feeding heavily before winter. These fish are pure muscle and will give you a solid fight on light tackle. The meat is firm, white, and absolutely delicious - one of the best eating fish in our waters. Here's the key: use a circle hook and drift live minnows or sea worms right along the bottom. Watch your rod tip closely - they bite sideways and you'll feel that distinctive tap-tap before they take off.
Port Chester, NY