Extended Full Day Fishing Trip in Stonington, CT
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Extended 910 hour inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesProfessional captain guides trips to Fishers Island and Block Island SoundSmall group charters accommodate up to 3 guests maximum
When you want to seriously fish Connecticut's most productive inshore waters, Captain Ryan Sansoucy's extended full day trip aboard the 2011 Hewes Redfisher is where you need to be. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking 9 to 10 hours of prime fishing time targeting some of the best gamefish the Northeast has to offer. From the crack of dawn departure at 6:00 AM from Barn Island Boat Launch, you'll have access to legendary spots around Fishers Island, Block Island Sound, and hidden salt ponds that consistently produce trophy catches. With room for up to 3 anglers, this top-rated charter gives you the personal attention and water coverage that makes the difference between a good day and an epic one.
Captain Ryan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and that expertise shows from the moment you step aboard the Hewes Redfisher. This boat was built for exactly this kind of fishing – shallow enough to work the flats and salt ponds, but seaworthy enough to handle the open waters of Block Island Sound when the big fish are running. Your day starts early for good reason. The 6:00 AM departure puts you on the prime spots right when the fish are most active, giving you maximum shot at multiple species throughout the day. The extended timeframe means we're not rushing between spots or cutting the day short when the bite gets hot. You'll cover serious ground, from the rocky structure around Fishers Island where the stripers love to ambush bait, to the deeper edges where blackfin tuna cruise, and back into the productive salt ponds that hold everything from bonito to tarpon. The intimate 3-angler maximum keeps things manageable and ensures everyone gets plenty of rod time.
This charter runs the gamut of inshore techniques depending on what we're targeting and where the fish are holding. When we're working the stripers around structure, we'll be throwing everything from live eels and bunker to topwater plugs and soft plastics. The key is reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want on any given day. For the pelagics like bonito and blackfin tuna, we'll often troll small spoons and feathers or cast metals when we mark schools on the fish finder. The real magic happens when Captain Ryan spots birds working or bait breaking the surface – that's when we switch to sight fishing mode and the action gets fast and furious. In the salt ponds, we might go ultra-light with small jigs and flies for the bonito, or beef up the tackle when tarpon show up. The Hewes Redfisher is rigged with quality gear, but if you have favorite rods or specific tackle you trust, bring them along. The shallow draft of this boat opens up opportunities that bigger charter boats simply can't access, letting us follow the fish into skinny water where they feel safe to feed.
Blackfin tuna are the speed demons of this fishery, typically running 10 to 25 pounds of pure muscle that will test your drag and your arms. These fish show up consistently from late spring through fall, often mixing with schools of bonito around bait pods. What makes blackfin so exciting is their incredible fight-to-size ratio – pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish in these waters. They hit fast and run hard, making screaming runs that will have your reel smoking. The meat is outstanding too, perfect for sushi or searing if you decide to keep a few.
Tarpon fishing in Connecticut might surprise some anglers, but these silver kings regularly push into our waters during summer months, particularly in the warmer salt ponds and back bays. Most of the fish here run 20 to 60 pounds, and while they might not be the 100-pound giants you'd find in Florida, they still put on an aerial show that's absolutely unforgettable. Tarpon season peaks from July through September when water temperatures climb, and these fish become incredibly active in shallow water. The visual aspect of tarpon fishing – seeing these massive fish roll and crash baits on the surface – adds a whole different dimension to the day.
Striped bass remain the backbone of Northeast inshore fishing, and the waters around Stonington consistently produce both schoolies for action and keeper-sized fish for the dinner table. Spring and fall migrations bring the biggest fish, with trophy stripers over 40 inches not uncommon during peak times. These fish are smart and moody, which makes catching them that much more satisfying. One minute they'll crush a topwater plug with violent strikes, the next they'll only look at a perfectly presented live eel. The variety in striper fishing keeps you on your toes all day long.
Barracuda add serious excitement with their lightning-fast strikes and razor-sharp teeth. These ambush predators love the structure around Fishers Island and can show up anywhere from shallow flats to deeper edges. Connecticut barracuda typically run 2 to 10 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in attitude. They'll crush lures with vicious strikes and make blistering runs that happen so fast you barely have time to react. Wire leaders are essential when these toothy critters are around.
Atlantic bonito are the action fish of the group, traveling in large schools and feeding aggressively when conditions are right. These 3 to 8-pound speedsters arrive with the warm water in late spring and stick around through early fall. When you find a school of bonito, the fishing can be absolutely insane with multiple hookups and constant action. They're incredible table fare too – often called the "poor man's tuna" but honestly just as good when prepared properly. The key to consistent bonito fishing is staying mobile and following the bait schools they're feeding on.
Captain Ryan's extended full
The 2011 Hewes Redfisher is your ticket to serious fishing action around Stonington's prime waters. This 18-footer packs a reliable 150 HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish fast, whether you're chasing stripers around Fishers Island or hunting tuna in Block Island Sound. Built tough for saltwater fishing, she's got the shallow draft to work those productive salt ponds where the action heats up. With room for 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to fight fish without getting tangled up. Captain Ryan knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend your time fishing, not searching. The Redfisher's layout gives everyone a shot at the action - perfect for targeting everything from Atlantic bonito to tarpon during those extended 9-10 hour trips when the bite is on.
Sarda SardaThese little speedsters look like small tuna and fight just as hard pound-for-pound. Most bonito run 3-8 pounds but they're pure muscle. You'll find them in schools out in blue water, usually chasing bait on the surface. Late summer into fall is prime time when they follow the baitfish migration. What makes bonito special is the fast action - when you find a school, you can catch dozens. They're incredibly aggressive and will hit almost anything you throw at them. While they're oily for eating, they make great strip bait for bigger fish. Watch for birds working the surface - bonito schools create feeding frenzies that attract everything. Pro tip: once you hook up, keep another rod ready. These fish school tight, so while you're fighting one, the rest are still feeding. Metal jigs work great in wind, but soft plastics stay in the strike zone longer.
SphyraenidaeThese silver bullets are built for speed and can hit 35 mph when they strike. Most barracuda around here run 2-4 feet long with plenty of sharp teeth to match their attitude. They patrol shallow water areas, especially around structure and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. Summer and early fall are prime time when water temps are warmest. What makes barracuda exciting is their explosive strike - they'll absolutely demolish a lure with zero warning. Light tackle makes them even more fun since they're aggressive fighters that like to jump. The smaller ones eat pretty well if you know how to prepare them. Here's the key with barracuda: anything shiny will grab their attention. Silver spoons, flashy plugs, or bright streamers work great. Just keep that lure moving fast - these fish hunt by sight and love a target that looks like it's trying to escape.
Thunnus AtlanticusThe smallest of the tuna family, blackfins typically run 10-30 pounds around here. These fish are built for speed and put up a serious fight once hooked. You'll find them in offshore waters, usually 20+ miles out where the blue water starts. They school up and feed on squid, small fish, and baitfish near the surface. Summer through fall gives us the best shot at them when water temps hit the upper 60s. What makes blackfins special is that incredible burst of energy - they'll rip line off your reel and make multiple runs. The meat is fantastic too, some of the best eating tuna around. Here's a local trick: scale down your tackle. Use lighter leaders and smaller hooks than you think - these fish have sharp eyes and will spook from heavy gear. A 30-pound fluorocarbon leader with a 5/0 circle hook works perfectly.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of fishing around here. These fish run anywhere from schoolies at 20 inches up to cows pushing 40+ pounds. You'll find them around structure - rocks, drop-offs, rips, and anywhere current moves baitfish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're feeding heavily. They hit the shallows at dawn and dusk, hunting in 10-30 feet of water. What makes stripers great is they're strong fighters and excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also predictable once you learn their patterns. The bigger fish tend to be loners while smaller ones school up. Local tip: watch the birds. When you see diving terns and gulls working, there's usually stripers underneath pushing bait to the surface. Get there fast and work the edges of the feeding frenzy.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are the ultimate gamefish - pure muscle that can jump 6+ feet out of the water. Most tarpon we see run 80-150 pounds, though the big females can push 200+. They love shallow flats, channels, and anywhere baitfish gather. Summer months bring them north from Florida, and they'll hang around warm water areas like our salt ponds. What gets people hooked on tarpon is that first jump - nothing prepares you for watching a 100-pound fish go airborne right next to the boat. They're not great eating due to all the bones, so it's pure sport fishing. The fight can last an hour easy. Here's what I tell every tarpon angler: bow to the king when he jumps. Drop your rod tip toward the fish during those jumps to give slack - otherwise that head shake will throw your hook every time.
Pawcatuck, CT