Extended Full Day Fishing in Stonington Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Extended 9-10 hour inshore fishing charter targeting multiple speciesFish for bass, tuna, bonito, and tarpon around Block Island SoundSmall group experience with maximum 3 guests per trip
Captain Ryan Sansoucy knows these Connecticut waters like the back of his hand, and his extended full-day charters prove it. You'll spend 9 to 10 solid hours working the productive grounds around Stonington, targeting everything from striped bass to blackfin tuna aboard his reliable 2011 Hewes Redfisher. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a serious fishing adventure that gives you the time to really explore what these waters have to offer. With departures at 6:00 AM from Barn Island Boat Launch, you'll beat the crowds and hit the prime feeding times when fish are most active.
This top-rated charter takes you through some of the most productive fishing grounds in southern New England. You'll work the waters around Fishers Island, cruise through Block Island Sound, and duck into the salt ponds that hold so much baitfish. Captain Ryan keeps his groups small – just three anglers max – so you get plenty of personal attention and room to fish comfortably. The Hewes Redfisher is built for these inshore waters, drawing shallow and getting you into spots bigger boats can't reach. You'll cover serious ground during those 9-10 hours, moving between different structures and depths as conditions and fish activity dictate. The extended time means you're not rushed – if the bite is hot in one area, you can stay and make the most of it. If it's slow, there's plenty of time to relocate and find where the fish are holding.
Captain Ryan runs a variety of techniques depending on what species are biting and where you're fishing. You'll likely do some live bait fishing with bunker or eels for striped bass, especially around structure and drop-offs. For the pelagic species like blackfin tuna and Atlantic bonito, expect to troll with small lures and work birds when they're active. Light tackle spinning and casting with artificials plays a big role, especially when working the shallows for bass or when tarpon show up in the warmer months. The boat comes equipped with quality rods and reels, though serious anglers often bring their own gear. Circle hooks are the standard for live bait work, and you'll use everything from jigs and soft plastics to topwater plugs depending on conditions. The captain provides all terminal tackle, but bringing your own favorite lures never hurts. This extended trip format gives you time to experiment with different techniques and really dial in what's working best that day.
Striped bass are the backbone of fishing in these waters, and for good reason. These fish run anywhere from schoolie size up to true cows pushing 40+ pounds. Spring and fall migrations bring the best numbers, but resident fish provide action throughout the summer months. Stripers are aggressive feeders and put up a serious fight, especially on lighter tackle. They're found around just about every type of structure – rocky points, sandy flats, rip lines, and wherever baitfish concentrate. What makes them special here is the variety of ways you can target them, from topwater at dawn to deep jigging mid-day.
Blackfin tuna show up during the warmer months and provide some of the most exciting fishing you'll find in Long Island Sound. These speedsters typically run 10-20 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They're often found working with birds, crashing bait on the surface in spectacular fashion. The key is getting to them quickly when they surface – these feeding frenzies don't last long. Blackfins are excellent table fare and a customer favorite for their combination of fight and flavor.
Atlantic bonito arrive in late summer and early fall, bringing fast action and acrobatic fights. These smaller tunas are built for speed and will test your drag system. They school up heavily and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. Bonito respond well to small lures trolled at decent speeds, and they're perfect for light tackle enthusiasts who want to feel every head shake and run.
Tarpon are the wildcard species that can show up during the peak summer months. These silver kings don't grow as large here as they do down south, but a 40-60 pound tarpon jumping next to the boat is something you won't forget. They're often found in the warmer backwaters and salt ponds, where they feed on abundant baitfish. The acrobatic displays these fish put on make them a bucket-list species for many anglers.
Barracuda round out the target list and provide fast, aggressive strikes that will keep you on your toes. These toothy predators love shiny lures and hit with authority. They're excellent fighters and add an element of surprise to any trip, often showing up when you least expect them.
This world-class extended fishing trip fills up quickly, especially during peak season when all five target species are most active. The $200 deposit secures your spot, and Captain Ryan's flexible rescheduling policy takes the worry out of weather cancellations. With only three spots available per trip, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of fishing time. The 6:00 AM departure might seem early, but that's when the magic happens – calm waters, active fish, and the best chance at multiple species. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to experience what Stonington fishing is all about, this extended charter delivers the time and expertise to make it happen. Don't let another season pass without experiencing these renowned Connecticut fishing grounds with a captain who knows how to put you on fish.
The 2011 Hewes Redfisher puts you right where the fish are biting in Connecticut's most productive waters. This 18-footer runs on a reliable 150 HP Yamaha that'll get you from Barn Island to the hotspots around Fishers Island and Block Island Sound without missing a beat. Built tough for saltwater fishing, she handles the chop while keeping you comfortable during those long 9-10 hour days chasing striped bass, bonito, and blackfin tuna. With room for 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the water without crowding each other. Captain Ryan knows these salt ponds and channels like the back of his hand, and this boat gives him the speed and shallow-water access to put you on everything from barracuda to tarpon. The Redfisher's designed for serious fishing - stable casting platform, smooth ride, and the power to cover water when the bite's hot somewhere else.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are like small tuna on steroids - built for speed and always ready to fight. These mackerel-family fish typically run 3-8 pounds but can hit 12, with silver sides and distinctive dark stripes along their backs. They school up in huge numbers and feed aggressively on the surface, often jumping clear out of the water chasing baitfish. You'll spot them by the bird activity - gulls diving on the chaos they create. They prefer deeper coastal waters and show up best during summer and early fall when water temps hit the 60s. What makes them special is pure speed and numbers - when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. They're not great table fare here, but the fight's addictive on light tackle. Look for their dorsal fins cutting the surface like mini sharks. My tip: once you find them feeding, work fast with small lures or jigs - they move quickly and the window closes fast.
SphyraenidaeBarracuda are torpedo-shaped predators that bring serious excitement to light tackle fishing. Most run 3-5 pounds in our waters, but they fight way above their weight class. These silver bullets are built for speed - they can hit 35 mph when they want to. You'll find them in shallower waters stalking baitfish around structure and grass beds. They hunt by sight, so clear water days are best. Summer and early fall give you the most action when water temps are up. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, run, and shake like crazy trying to throw the hook. The meat's actually pretty good if you know how to prepare it. They've got razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are a must. Here's the thing: they're attracted to shiny objects, so small spoons and flashy lures work great. Just cast past where you see them and retrieve fast - they rarely refuse a meal.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, typically running 20-30 pounds around here, though they can hit 46 pounds. These beautiful fish have dark backs with distinctive yellow-gold stripes that fade quickly once landed. You'll find them in deeper offshore waters, usually 20+ miles out where the water's warm. They school up with skipjack and other pelagics, feeding on squid and small baitfish. Summer through early fall gives you the best shot when water temps stay above 68°F. What makes them special is the combination of serious speed and a great fight on lighter tackle - they'll make screaming runs that'll test your drag. The meat's actually quite good, much better than people think. My tip: scale down your leader to 30lb fluoro and use smaller hooks. Their eyesight is sharp, so finesse beats heavy tackle every time.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the backbone of our fishing around Stonington - they're here pretty much year-round and always put up a solid fight. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, though 50+ pounders show up regularly. You'll find them around structure like rocks, drop-offs, and tide lines, especially where current moves baitfish. Spring and fall migration periods are prime time when they're feeding heavily. These fish are built for power, not speed, making long, bulldogging runs that test your gear. The meat's outstanding - sweet, flaky, and perfect for the table. They're smart fish that can be picky about baits, but when you find them feeding, the action gets hot fast. My local tip: watch for diving birds and surface activity around Fishers Island Sound during moving tides. That's when the stripers push bait up and give themselves away.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate gamefish - these silver giants can reach 6-8 feet and 200+ pounds, though most we see run 80-150 pounds. They're famous for their wild jumps, sometimes clearing 10 feet of water when hooked. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, around structure, and moving through passes during tide changes. Here in Connecticut waters, late summer gives us the best opportunities when they follow bait north. What hooks people is the sheer spectacle - watching a massive tarpon launch itself skyward is something you never forget. They're catch-and-release fish since the meat isn't great, but the fight more than makes up for it. These fish can live 50+ years, so every one's earned respect. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It keeps tension off and prevents thrown hooks during those aerial shows.
Pawcatuck, CT