Quick Morning Fishing Trip in Port Chester, NY
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 3-hour morning fishing trip on Long Island SoundCaptain Danny provides gear and guidance for all skill levelsSpacious 32-foot vessel accommodates up to six guests comfortably
Captain Danny's got the perfect setup for anglers who want quality fishing without burning the whole day. This private 3-hour morning trip on Long Island Sound puts you right where the fish are biting, with minimal travel time and maximum hook-ups. The 32-foot Custom Downeast gives your group of up to six plenty of room to spread out and work different lines. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure or you're seasoned anglers looking to get on some fish before lunch, this inshore trip delivers consistent action in some of the Sound's most productive waters.
You'll meet Captain Danny bright and early at Port Chester, where he's got all the gear ready to go. The beauty of this trip is how quickly you get to the fishing grounds - we're talking minutes, not hours of riding. The captain knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand, from the rocky structure that holds sea bass to the sandy flats where flounder cruise for bait. He'll set you up with quality rods and tackle, rig your lines, and show beginners exactly how to work their bait or lures. The boat's spacious layout means everyone gets their own fishing spot without tangled lines or crowded rails. Captain Danny keeps things relaxed but productive, adjusting techniques based on what's working and where the fish are showing up on the finder.
This inshore fishing experience focuses on bottom fishing and light tackle techniques that work best in Long Island Sound's varied structure. You'll be working with conventional reels loaded with braided line for better feel and hook sets in 20 to 60 feet of water. Captain Danny switches between live bait presentations - typically squid, clams, or sea worms - and artificial lures depending on what the fish are hitting. The boat's equipped with fish finders to locate schools and structure, plus a good selection of weights and rigs for different bottom conditions. When the stripers are active, you might switch to casting bucktails or swimming soft plastics around baitfish schools. The captain handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you can focus on feeling those bites and setting hooks. He'll teach you to read your rod tip and recognize the difference between a curious nibble and a fish that's committed to your bait.
Red Porgy are one of the most sought-after species on these morning trips, and for good reason. These pink-hued bottom dwellers fight way above their weight class, typically running 1 to 3 pounds with occasional fish pushing 5 pounds. They're most active during the warmer months from late spring through early fall, holding around rocky bottom and structure in 30 to 50 feet of water. What makes red porgy special is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the stars of the show from May through October. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottom waiting to ambush baitfish swimming overhead. A keeper fluke (18.5 inches minimum in New York waters) puts up a solid fight, and the bigger "doormat" fluke over 5 pounds are prized catches that'll have you talking for years. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white fillets that work for any cooking method.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Long Island Sound fishing, and Captain Danny knows exactly where to find them during their seasonal migrations. These silver-sided fighters can range from schoolie bass around 20 inches up to trophy fish over 40 inches. Stripers are most active during spring and fall migrations, but resident fish provide action throughout the summer months. They're incredible fighters, making long runs and jumping when hooked on light tackle.
Sea Bass round out the target species and are perfect for anglers who want consistent action. These chunky, dark-colored fish live around rocky structure and wrecks, typically weighing 1 to 3 pounds with occasional larger specimens. They're aggressive biters that hit baits hard, making them ideal for beginners learning to feel bites and set hooks. Sea bass are also among the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, firm meat that's hard to overcook.
This top-rated morning fishing trip gives you everything you need for a successful day on Long Island Sound without the commitment of a full-day charter. Captain Danny's patient teaching style and intimate knowledge of local waters make this the perfect choice for families with kids, beginners looking to learn proper techniques, or experienced anglers who want to get on fish quickly. The 32-foot Custom Downeast provides a stable, comfortable platform for fishing, and the short run to productive waters means you're fishing within minutes of leaving the dock. With quality gear provided and a captain who genuinely wants to see you succeed, this customer favorite trip delivers consistent results in some of the Sound's best fishing grounds. Remember the 72-hour cancellation policy when booking, and get ready for a morning that'll have you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
Captain Danny's 32' Custom Downeast is built for serious fishing on the Long Island Sound. This spacious motorboat handles the waters with ease thanks to its 370hp Yanmar engine, getting you to the fishing grounds quickly so you can spend more time with lines in the water. The stable platform gives everyone room to cast comfortably - whether you're teaching the kids their first knots or working a productive spot with experienced crew. GPS and fish finder help locate the fish, while radar keeps things safe if morning fog rolls in. The boat's designed for those short runs to productive inshore waters around Port Chester, meaning less travel time and more chances to hook up. With a marine head onboard and room for six anglers, it's perfect for family trips or small groups looking to enjoy a relaxed morning of fishing without the long boat rides to distant grounds.
Pagrus PagrusRed Porgy are beautiful fish with that distinctive pale red, metallic color and can run anywhere from 13 inches up to 30 inches if you're lucky. They typically weigh 4-6 pounds, but I've seen some hefty 20+ pounders come up from the deeper waters. These fish love rocky areas and structure, usually hanging out between 30-260 feet, though we often find them closer to the surface in our local waters. They're not picky eaters - clams, worms, squid, small crabs all work great. Keep your bait under 2 inches though. Red Porgy are a bit shy around the boat, so patience pays off. Spring through fall are your best bets here in the Sound. What really gets people excited is the meat quality - delicate, white, flaky flesh that's restaurant-quality. My tip: when you feel that first tap, give them a second to really take it before setting the hook. They like to mouth the bait first.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are one of our most reliable targets - chunky, dark fish with big mouths that'll eat just about anything you put in front of them. They average around a foot long and 2-3 pounds, but we see plenty of 4-5 pounders that'll surprise you with their fight. These fish love hard bottom - rocks, wrecks, jetties, anywhere they can find structure to ambush prey. They school up tight, so when you find one, there's usually more below. Late spring through early fall is peak season, with summer being especially productive. What makes sea bass popular is they're aggressive biters and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's served in high-end restaurants. They'll hit squid, clams, crabs, or small jigs bounced off the bottom. My local secret: once you hook the first one, get your line back down fast. The school usually sticks around for a few minutes, and you can often double or triple up before they move on.
Morone SaxatilisStriped Bass are the king of our local waters - those seven to eight dark stripes running down their silver sides make them unmistakable. Most of what we catch here runs 20-40 pounds, but these fish can push 50+ pounds and 4 feet long. They're structure-oriented, hanging around rocks, drop-offs, and anywhere baitfish gather. Early morning and evening are prime time when they move up to feed in the shallows. Spring through fall offers the best action as they follow their migration route up and down the coast. What guests love about stripers is the fight - they're powerful swimmers that'll test your drag, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm white meat. These fish prefer moving water and cooler temps. Here in the Sound, I like to work the tide changes around structure. My go-to tip: match your bait to what they're feeding on that day. Live eels, herring, or even bloodworms can be deadly depending on conditions.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder, or fluke as most locals call them, are our "chameleons of the sea" - flatfish that lie on sandy bottoms and change color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-20 inches, but don't be surprised if you hook into a real doormat pushing 5+ pounds. They're ambush predators with both eyes on the left side, lying in wait for baitfish, crabs, and squid to swim by. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in our inshore waters, especially around structure changes. Fall is prime time - September through November when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes fluke fishing fun is their unpredictable fight and excellent table fare. The meat is sweet and firm, perfect for the grill. Here's my local trick: hook your minnow or killie through the lips, not the back, and use a slow drift with just enough weight to stay on bottom. Let them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook.
Port Chester, NY