Connecticut Inshore Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half and full day inshore fishing trips from New LondonTarget striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and false albacore seasonallyAll tackle and gear provided aboard 23foot center console
Captain Peter Corrao knows these Connecticut waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. Operating out of New London from mid-April through late October, FlyLight Charters offers half-day, three-quarter day, and full-day trips aboard a well-equipped 23-foot Jones Brothers center console. Whether you're chasing stripers around the rocks or working the flats for fluke, Captain Peter's got the local knowledge and top-notch gear to make your day on the water count. All trips kick off at 8:00 AM sharp, and with space for up to four anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work without bumping elbows.
Your day starts early at the New London marina, where you'll meet Captain Peter and get the rundown on conditions, target species, and game plan for the day. The 23-foot Jones Brothers is a solid platform for inshore work – stable enough for comfortable fishing but nimble enough to chase schools when the action heats up. That 250HP Yamaha gets you to the fish fast and keeps you mobile when you need to cover water. Depending on what you book, you're looking at four hours for the half-day special ($475 for two anglers), six hours for the three-quarter day ($625), or a full eight-hour adventure ($750). Each additional angler beyond the base two runs a small upcharge, but the boat handles four comfortably. Captain Peter provides all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, so just bring your cooler with food and drinks, plus any personal gear like sunglasses and rain gear.
Captain Peter runs both fly and light tackle setups, giving you options based on conditions and what's biting. When the stripers are busting bait on top, nothing beats throwing poppers or working streamers through the mayhem. For bottom fishing, he's got the conventional gear dialed in with circle hooks and the right weights for local structure. The boat's rigged with quality electronics for finding fish and navigating the productive spots around Block Island Sound. You'll work everything from shallow boulder fields where stripers ambush baitfish to deeper edges where black sea bass stack up. Light tackle makes every fish more fun – even a 20-inch striper feels like a monster on the right gear. Captain Peter's approach focuses on reading water, understanding tides, and putting baits where fish want to feed rather than just dropping lines and hoping.
Striped Bass are the bread and butter of Connecticut inshore fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters show up in spring and stick around through fall, with fish ranging from schoolies to legitimate keepers pushing 30-plus inches. Peak striper action typically runs May through June and then again in September and October when the fall migration kicks in. They're aggressive predators that'll smash topwater lures, crush live eels, or pick up chunk bait depending on their mood. What makes stripers special is their unpredictability – one minute they're finicky and spooky, the next they're in full feeding mode and you can barely keep up with the action.
Sea Bass might be smaller than stripers, but pound-for-pound they're some of the scrappiest fish in these waters. Black sea bass love structure – wrecks, rocks, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey and duck for cover. Spring through early summer is prime time, with fish averaging 1-3 pounds but occasional doormat-sized specimens pushing the scales past five pounds. They're excellent table fare and usually cooperative when you find them, making them perfect targets for newer anglers or when you want to put some fillets in the cooler.
Little Tunny, also called false albacore, show up during late summer and early fall migrations. These mini-torpedoes are pure adrenaline on light tackle – they'll scream drag and make blistering runs that test your reflexes and equipment. They typically weigh 5-12 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. When schools of albies are around, the fishing can be absolutely electric with multiple hookups and non-stop action. They're also excellent indicators of bait concentrations, often leading you to bigger predators working the same areas.
Bluefish are the pit bulls of inshore waters – aggressive, toothy, and always ready for a fight. Connecticut's blues typically range from snapper-sized fish in late summer to full-grown choppers reaching 10-15 pounds during spring and fall runs. They're fantastic on topwater lures and will attack just about any bait that moves fast enough to trigger their predatory instincts. Blues also make excellent bait for larger species and are surprisingly good eating when handled properly and cooked fresh.
Connecticut's inshore fishing season is relatively short but incredibly productive, and Captain Peter's calendar fills up fast during peak times. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or a newcomer wanting to learn from someone who knows these fish inside and out, FlyLight Charters delivers the local expertise and quality equipment that make the difference between a good day and a great day. The three trip options let you match your schedule and budget while still getting legitimate time on productive water. Half-day trips are perfect for testing the waters or working around other commitments, while full-day charters give you time to adapt to conditions and really dial in the bite. Book early for prime dates, and don't forget that cooler for your catch – you're going to need it.
The "Doris-Ceil" cuts through Connecticut waters at up to 30 knots, getting you to the fish fast. This 23' Jones Brothers center console runs on a reliable 250HP Yamaha and comes loaded with everything serious anglers need – GPS to mark your spots, radar for those foggy mornings, and a fishfinder to locate schools of stripers and blues. The live bait well keeps your offerings lively while the icebox handles your catch and cold drinks. Built in 2012, she's sized perfectly for light tackle and fly fishing adventures, with room for up to 4 anglers to work the deck comfortably. Whether you're casting to breaking fish or working the bottom for fluke and sea bass, this boat puts you right where the action is along Connecticut's productive inshore waters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the perfect fish for action-packed trips, especially with kids or beginners. These aggressive predators run anywhere from 2-pound "snappers" to 15-pound choppers, and they're not picky about what they eat. You'll find them in shallow bays, around jetties, or pushed up against beaches chasing baitfish. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when they migrate through our waters. What guests love is the non-stop action - when you find a school of feeding blues, everyone on board stays busy. They're also excellent table fare when handled properly and bled right away. Fair warning though - those razor-sharp teeth mean business, so keep your fingers clear. The smaller ones are actually the best eating. Local trick: when you see them in a feeding frenzy, anything shiny works, but a simple popper or spoon retrieved fast will drive them crazy. Just be ready for that initial run.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, also called false albacore, are the speed demons of our local waters. These torpedo-shaped fish average 8-15 pounds and are built for one thing - going fast. They're pelagic fish that love warm surface water, often found around jetties, inlets, and wherever baitfish concentrate. Best action is late summer through early fall when they're chasing schools of silversides and peanut bunker. What makes them special is the fight - pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish you'll hook. They'll peel drag like nothing else and test your tackle. While their dark red meat isn't everyone's favorite, properly prepared it's actually quite good. The real draw is the pure sport - watching one explode on a surface lure or fly is something you won't forget. Key tip: when you see them busting bait on top, approach from downwind and cast ahead of the school - they move fast and spook easily.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid fighters that live right on the bottom around wrecks, reefs, and rocky structure. Most run 1-3 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 5-6 pounds during peak season. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit squid, clams, or soft plastics without much coaxing. Best fishing happens late spring through early fall when they move into our local waters to spawn and feed. What guests love about sea bass is they're almost guaranteed action - they school up and when you find one, you'll usually find more. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters, with firm white meat that's restaurant-quality. Pro tip: once you hook into a school, don't move the boat. Drop a marker and work that spot thoroughly - sea bass are territorial and you'll often pull multiple fish from the same small area.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Connecticut fishing. These silver beauties with their distinctive dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we see plenty of schoolies in the 18-28 inch range. They love structure - rocky points, drop-offs, and areas where currents meet. Best action happens during their spring and fall migrations when they're actively feeding on bunker, herring, and silversides. What makes them special is the combination of a solid fight and excellent table fare - that sweet, flaky white meat is hard to beat. They're not the fastest fish, but they're strong and stubborn. Local tip: when you see birds working baitfish near Race Point, get there fast. Those feeding frenzies don't last long, but when you find them, you'll have non-stop action on both fly and light tackle.
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