Quick Morning Fishing Trip in Port Chester, NY
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 3hour morning fishing on Long Island SoundSpacious 32foot boat accommodates up to six guests comfortablyQuality gear provided with handson guidance from Captain Danny
Captain Danny's got you covered for a top-rated morning fishing adventure on the Long Island Sound. This private 3-hour charter out of Port Chester, NY is perfect when you want to get on the fish without burning your whole day. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first taste of saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking for a quick productive trip, this inshore experience delivers. The 32-foot Custom Downeast gives your group of up to six plenty of room to spread out and fish comfortably. Best part? You'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time cruising to the fishing grounds.
This isn't your typical charter boat crowd situation. You get Captain Danny and his boat all to yourselves for three solid hours of fishing the productive inshore waters around Port Chester. The trip kicks off early morning when the bite is often at its best, and you'll be targeting structure and drop-offs where the fish like to hang out. The captain provides all the quality tackle you'll need, plus he'll get everyone rigged up and show beginners the ropes. Don't worry about experience level – Danny's patient approach means everyone from kids to grandparents can get in on the action. The spacious layout of this custom Downeast means no one's crowding each other, and there's plenty of room for multiple people to fight fish at the same time. Since you're fishing close to shore, the ride out is short and sweet, leaving maximum time for actual fishing.
Captain Danny runs a well-equipped operation with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle suited for Long Island Sound fishing. You'll primarily be bottom fishing with conventional tackle, using circle hooks and various sinker rigs depending on current and depth. The captain adjusts techniques based on what's biting – sometimes you'll be drifting over structure for sea bass and porgy, other times anchored up in the right spots for stripers and fluke. Bait selection varies with the season and target species, but expect to see everything from squid strips and clams to live or fresh bunker when the stripers are around. The beauty of fishing these inshore waters is the variety – you might start the morning bottom fishing for sea bass, then switch to fluke rigs when you find them holding over sandy bottom. Danny knows these local waters inside and out, so he'll put you on the most productive spots for the conditions and time of year.
Red Porgy are one of the customer favorites on these trips, and for good reason. These colorful bottom dwellers typically run 1-3 pounds and put up a surprisingly good fight for their size. They're most active during warmer months and love hanging around rocky structure and wrecks. What makes them exciting is their aggressive bite – when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as most anglers call them, are the prize catch for many people on these morning trips. These flatfish can range from keeper size around 19 inches up to genuine door-mats pushing 5-8 pounds or more. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're typically found over sandy bottom near structure edges. The excitement comes from never knowing what size you've hooked until you see it – that modest tap on your rod tip could be a nice keeper or the fish of a lifetime. They're also among the best eating fish in these waters.
Striped Bass are the iconic gamefish of Long Island Sound, and when they're around, everything else takes a back seat. These fish can range from schoolie size up to hefty 20-30+ pound specimens that'll test your tackle and skills. Spring and fall migrations offer the best opportunities, though resident fish can be caught throughout the warmer months. What gets anglers fired up about stripers is their powerful runs and the variety of ways to catch them – live bait, chunks, even artificials when they're feeding aggressively on the surface.
Sea Bass round out the mix and they're perfect for families and beginners. These chunky bottom dwellers typically run 1-2 pounds and are abundant around any kind of structure. They bite aggressively, fight hard for their size, and are relatively easy for kids to handle. Season runs from late spring through fall, and they're fantastic eating. The excitement with sea bass is often the sheer numbers – when you're on a good piece of structure, everyone on the boat can be hooked up at once.
This world-class morning fishing trip offers everything you want in an inshore charter – productive fishing, personal attention, and quality time on the water without the commitment of a full day. Captain Danny's local knowledge and patient teaching style make this a customer favorite for good reason. The 72-hour cancellation policy gives you flexibility, and the private charter setup means your group gets the full attention and the best spots. Whether you're introducing someone to saltwater fishing or just want a quick fishing fix, this trip delivers the goods. The Long Island Sound fishing around Port Chester is consistently productive, and morning trips often produce the best action of the day. Don't wait – book your spot and get ready for some seriously good fishing.
Captain Danny's 32' Custom Downeast is built specifically for Long Island Sound fishing adventures. This comfortable motorboat handles choppy waters with ease thanks to its stable hull design and powerful 370hp Yanmar engine. The spacious layout gives your group of up to six anglers plenty of room to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. Modern electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate productive spots quickly, so you spend more time with lines in the water instead of searching around. The boat's shallow draft gets you into those prime inshore spots where stripers and fluke like to hang out. With a private head on board and smooth ride quality, even seasoned fishermen appreciate the comfort during those early morning trips. The short run from Port Chester means you're fishing within minutes, not burning half your trip just getting to the grounds.
Pagrus PagrusRed Porgy are beautiful fish with that distinctive pale red, metallic shine that gives them their name. Most run 13 inches, but we've seen some push 30 inches and weigh up to 35 pounds. They're not picky eaters - crabs, clams, worms, and squid all work well. These fish hang around rocky areas and structure, usually 30-260 feet down, though they'll come up shallow at times. They're pretty shy around the boat, so patience pays off. The meat is fantastic - delicate white flakes that cook up perfectly. Spring through fall gives you the best shots at them when the water warms up. Pro tip: keep your bait small, under 2 inches. They'll hit it if it looks natural, but oversized baits will spook them every time.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are reliable fighters that make every trip productive. These dark, stocky fish average around a foot long and 9 pounds, with some reaching 26 inches. They're aggressive feeders that travel in schools, making for steady action when you find them. You'll locate them around hard bottom near jetties, wrecks, and reefs where they ambush crabs, shrimp, and small fish. They spawn January through July, but fishing stays good year-round in our waters. What makes them special is the excellent table fare - restaurants pay top dollar for these fish. They hit cut bait like squid and clams hard, but soft plastics and bucktails work great too. My advice: use 6-7 foot rods with sensitive tips and braided line so you feel every tap on the bottom. When one hits, there's usually more right there.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the bread and butter of Long Island Sound fishing. These silver fighters with their distinctive black stripes average 20-40 pounds, though some push 70. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around rocky areas, drop-offs, and moving water near shore. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, especially during dawn and dusk when they feed actively in cooler surface waters. What guests love is the strong fight and excellent eating - sweet, meaty flesh that's hard to beat. They can be finicky, preferring live baits like herring, eels, or bloodworms. The key is fishing moving water where baitfish get swept along. Use braided line for sensitivity and a rod 8-14 feet long. Local tip: watch for diving birds - they'll show you where the bait is, and stripers won't be far behind.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the chameleons of the seafloor - these flatfish change colors to match whatever bottom they're lying on. Most run 15-20 inches, but big females can hit 26 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting to grab passing baitfish, crabs, and squid. You'll find them in shallow inshore waters, especially around structure and drop-offs. Peak season runs September through November when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. What makes them special is that sideways bite - both eyes are on one side, so they attack from an odd angle. The meat is primo table fare. My go-to trick: hook live minnows through the eye for smaller baits, through the lips for bigger ones, and use a circle hook since they bite differently than most fish.
Port Chester, NY