Inshore Fishing Long Island, New York
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target trophy stripers, fluke, sea bass, and bluefish inshoreSmall group capacity with maximum two guests per charterProfessional guided fishing in Long Island's productive southern waters
When you're looking for world-class inshore fishing without the hassle of heading way offshore, Fire Island Fishing Charters has you covered. Our intimate 2-guest trips put you right in the heart of Long Island's most productive inshore waters, where trophy striped bass, fat fluke, feisty sea bass, and aggressive bluefish call home. These waters south of Long Island have been feeding New York anglers for generations, and there's a reason why – the fish are here, they're hungry, and they're ready to fight. You'll spend your day working structure, drop-offs, and current breaks that hold serious fish year-round. No crowded party boats, no fighting for rail space – just you, your fishing partner, and some of the best inshore action on the East Coast.
Your day starts early, but trust me, it's worth every minute of lost sleep. We'll meet at the dock before sunrise when the water's still glass and the fish are most active. The boat's rigged and ready with quality tackle, fresh bait, and all the gear you need to tangle with whatever's biting. We're targeting multiple species throughout the day, so expect to switch up techniques as conditions change and fish move. The inshore waters south of Fire Island offer incredible variety – one minute you're bouncing bottom for fluke in 20 feet of water, the next you're casting topwater plugs at breaking stripers. The intimate 2-person capacity means you get personalized attention and coaching, plus plenty of room to work your rod without bumping elbows. These aren't milk runs – every trip is customized based on current conditions, tides, and what the fish are telling us.
We run a mix of live bait, fresh cut bait, and artificials depending on what's working and what we're targeting. For stripers, we'll work everything from live bunker under the birds to dragging eels along structure. Fluke fishing means bouncing bucktails tipped with strips or whole spearing across sandy bottom and drop-offs. Sea bass love chunk baits around structure, while bluefish will hit just about anything when they're in feeding mode. All rods and reels are provided – we're talking quality spinning and conventional gear matched to the species we're after. You're welcome to bring your own tackle if you've got favorites, but our stuff gets the job done. We'll adjust leader material, hook sizes, and weights throughout the day based on current, depth, and fish behavior. Expect to learn proper drift techniques, how to read your bottom finder, and when to switch baits – skills that'll make you a better angler long after your trip ends.
Striped bass are the kings of these waters, and for good reason. These fish can push 40+ pounds and fight like bulldozers once hooked. Peak season runs from late April through November, with the biggest fish typically showing in fall during the migration. Stripers are structure-oriented and current-lovers, so we'll work rips, drop-offs, and around bridge pilings where they ambush baitfish. What makes them special is their intelligence – these aren't dumb fish, and landing a big one requires skill, patience, and often a little luck with timing.
Summer flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are the flatfish champions of Long Island waters. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and gravel, waiting to explode upward on passing baitfish. Prime time is May through September, with the biggest "doormat" fluke – those prized 5+ pounders – typically caught in deeper water during summer months. They're tricky to hook because they grab bait and run, requiring a subtle touch to know when to set the hook. The fight might not be as dramatic as a striper, but the table fare is outstanding.
Black sea bass are the scrappy underdogs that punch way above their weight class. These bottom-dwellers love structure – wrecks, rocks, and hard bottom where they can dart in and out of cover. Season typically runs May through December, with peak fishing in summer and early fall. They hit hard and fight dirty, using every rock and crevice to try and break you off. While they're not huge fish – a 3-4 pounder is a nice one – they make up for size with attitude and they're fantastic eating.
Bluefish are the water wolves of the inshore scene. When they're feeding, it's pure chaos – birds diving, baitfish jumping, and blues slashing through schools like living buzz saws. They show up spring through fall, with the biggest fish often arriving during fall migration. What makes them exciting is their raw aggression – they'll hit lures, baits, and sometimes your fingers if you're not careful. A big blue will make screaming runs and aerial jumps that'll test your drag and your nerves. Fair warning though – those teeth are razor sharp, so we handle them with respect.
This isn't your typical cattle-boat fishing trip. With just 2 spots available, you're getting a premium experience that books up fast, especially during peak season. The inshore waters around Long Island deliver consistent action for multiple species, knowledgeable local guidance, and the kind of personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in local techniques or a newcomer who wants to learn from someone who knows these waters inside and out, this trip delivers. The fish are here, the boat's ready, and your spot is waiting – but not for long. Book now and get ready to see why Fire Island's inshore fishing has such a top-rated reputation among serious anglers.
Our well-equipped motorboat puts you right where the fish are biting in Long Island's productive inshore waters. With a reliable GPS navigation system and fish finder on board, we'll track down the best spots for stripers, fluke, sea bass, and bluefish without wasting time searching blind. The boat comfortably handles two anglers, giving you plenty of room to work your lines and land those trophy catches. Perfect for targeting the southern waters off Long Island where these species thrive year-round. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS keeps us on the most productive marks trip after trip.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting bottom dwellers that typically run 1-4 pounds, though we see some real doormat females pushing 6-8 pounds around the deeper wrecks and rocky structure. They hang out around anything with relief - jetties, reefs, wrecks, and boulder fields in 20-80 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. These fish are pure gold on the dinner table with sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any fish in the ocean. They'll eat just about any bait you drop down - squid, clams, sea worms, or small jigs all work. Pro tip: use a high-low rig with fresh squid and keep your bait right on the bottom - they rarely chase anything up in the water column.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that show up in our waters from late spring through fall, typically running 3-15 pounds with some bigger fish mixed in. These silvery bruisers love to hunt in schools, often creating feeding frenzies near the surface that you can spot from miles away - look for diving birds and churning water. They'll hit just about anything when they're feeding, from metal jigs to cut bait, but they've got razor-sharp teeth so bring a wire leader or they'll bite you off. Most anglers love them because they fight hard and taste great when fresh - the smaller "cocktail blues" are perfect for the table. Here's a local trick: when you see birds working, get there fast and throw something shiny right into the chaos.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the holy grail around here, with those classic black stripes and serious attitude. School fish run 20-30 inches, but the real trophies we're after can push 40-50 pounds and nearly four feet long. These fish are structure junkies - they love rocky points, boulder fields, rips, and anywhere current moves bait around. Spring and fall migration periods are absolutely wild, but we catch them year-round in our local waters. They're smart fighters that'll test your drag and make long runs, plus the meat is top-shelf when handled right. Live eels at night are deadly, especially around full moons when they're feeding shallow. Keep your drag smooth and let them run - trying to muscle a big striper usually ends with a broken line and a good story about the one that got away.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke" as we call them locally, are the ultimate ambush predators lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to grab an easy meal. These flatfish typically run 2-5 pounds, but the big "doormat" females can hit 8-12 pounds and make for serious bragging rights. They love structure transitions - edges of channels, drop-offs near reefs, and areas where current meets calm water in 15-50 feet. Best fishing runs from May through October when they're feeding heavily before heading offshore. The fight is different but fun, and they're hands-down one of the best eating fish we catch. My go-to setup is live killies or strips of squid on a bucktail jig - keep it moving slow along the bottom and be ready for that subtle tap.
New York, NY