Extended Half Day Fishing in Stonington, CT
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target bass, tuna, bonito, and tarpon on guided inshore tripFive to six hour charter accommodates up to three guestsFish prime waters around Block Island Sound and Fishers Island
Captain Ryan Sansoucy knows these Connecticut waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why Stonington ranks as one of the top fishing destinations on the East Coast. This 5-6 hour charter aboard his 2011 Hewes Redfisher takes you into some seriously productive water around Fishers Island and Block Island Sound, plus those hidden salt ponds where the big fish love to hunt. You'll launch at 6 AM from Barn Island Boat Launch with up to two other anglers, chasing everything from striped bass to blackfin tuna in waters that consistently produce trophy catches year after year.
This isn't your typical quick morning trip - with 5-6 hours on the water, Captain Ryan has time to work multiple spots and really dial in on what's biting. The Hewes Redfisher is built for inshore work, drawing just inches of water so you can get into those skinny flats and back bays where the fish feel safe. You'll start early to beat the crowds and catch the morning bite, when predators are actively feeding in the shallows. The boat's layout gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up, which matters when you hook into a 40-pound striper that wants to make a run for deep water. Captain Ryan provides all the tackle you need, from light spinning gear for bonito to heavier setups for tuna, plus he's got the local knowledge to put you on fish when other boats are struggling.
Captain Ryan switches up his approach based on conditions, tides, and what's showing up on the fish finder. Early morning often means working the flats with topwater plugs and soft plastics, watching for nervous baitfish and bird activity that signals feeding fish below. When the tuna are running, you'll troll small spoons and cedar plugs along temperature breaks and current edges where these speed demons ambush bait schools. The salt ponds require a different game plan entirely - sight fishing with light tackle as you pole through crystal clear water, looking for tailing fish or shadows moving across sandy bottoms. You'll learn to read the water, spot structure that holds fish, and understand how tides move bait and predators through these productive areas. The captain keeps multiple rods rigged so you can switch tactics quickly when conditions change or when you mark fish that want a different presentation.
Blackfin tuna show up in good numbers during summer and fall, typically running 10-25 pounds and providing some of the most exciting fights you'll find in these waters. These fish are pure muscle and speed, making long runs that test your drag system and endurance. They usually show up around temperature breaks and current edges, often mixed with schools of Atlantic bonito that hit lures with incredible aggression. Striped bass remain the bread and butter species here, with fish ranging from schoolies to trophy cows over 40 pounds. Spring and fall migrations bring the biggest fish through these waters, while summer resident bass provide consistent action around structure and baitfish schools. Tarpon might seem out of place this far north, but Stonington's waters see a surprising number of these silver kings during the warmest months, usually in the 30-80 pound range and capable of putting on aerial displays that'll have you shaking with adrenaline.
Barracuda add another element of excitement to these trips, with their razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes that can catch even experienced anglers off guard. They're ambush predators that often follow other fish to the boat before striking at the last second, and their powerful runs can peel line off your reel in seconds. Atlantic bonito are the speed demons of the group, rarely weighing more than 12 pounds but fighting like fish twice their size with blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They travel in schools and when you find them feeding, the action can be non-stop with multiple hookups and bent rods all around the boat.
Captain Ryan's extended half-day trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best. The early 6 AM departure means you'll beat the afternoon crowds and catch fish when they're most active, plus you'll still have time to clean your catch and enjoy the rest of your day. A $200 deposit secures your spot, and while weather can always be a factor, the captain's flexible rescheduling policy means you won't lose your money if conditions force a cancellation. These Connecticut waters produce world-class fishing just a short run from the launch, and with Captain Ryan's local expertise and top-notch boat, you're set up for the kind of day that turns into the fish story you'll be telling for years. Don't wait until the season's peak passes you by - book your charter now and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Northeast has to offer.
The 2011 Hewes Redfisher is your ticket to some of Connecticut's most productive fishing waters. This 18-foot flats boat cuts through Block Island Sound and navigates the shallow salt ponds around Fishers Island with ease, thanks to its reliable 150 HP Yamaha outboard. Built tough for saltwater conditions, the Redfisher's shallow draft design gets you into those honey holes where striped bass and bonito like to hide. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the water without crowding each other. The boat's stable platform makes fighting fish comfortable, whether you're battling a strong striper or dealing with the speed of Atlantic bonito. Captain Ryan knows these waters inside and out, and this Hewes gives him the versatility to chase whatever's biting - from the deeper channels where blackfin tuna cruise to the skinny water where tarpon might surprise you. It's a serious fishing machine that'll get you on the fish.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are like miniature tuna - silver bullets that school up in huge numbers during late summer and fall. They average 3-8 pounds and are built for speed, hitting 40 mph when chasing bait. You'll spot them feeding on the surface in Block Island Sound, often with birds diving overhead. They prefer water in the 60s and migrate through our area following baitfish. While they're oily and not great eating here in the States, they provide fast action and decent fights on light tackle. When you find a feeding school, they'll hit almost anything. Here's the key: once you hook up, keep other lines in the water. These fish school tight, and you can often get doubles or triples before they move on.
SphyraenidaeBarracuda are aggressive predators with razor-sharp teeth and lightning speed - they can hit 35 mph when hunting. Most run 2-4 feet long around here with that torpedo shape built for cutting through water. They hang around structure like reefs and drop-offs, usually in 10-40 feet of water where they ambush baitfish. Summer months bring the best action when water temps climb. People love the aggressive strikes and blistering runs, though they're not the best table fare. These fish hunt by sight and love anything shiny or fast-moving. My advice: use a wire leader - their teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. Also, work your lure fast and erratic to trigger that predatory instinct.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, usually running 15-30 pounds around our waters. They're beautiful fish with that distinctive gold stripe along their sides and dark fins. You'll find them in the deeper waters of Block Island Sound, typically in schools feeding on squid and small baitfish. They prefer water temps above 68°F, so late summer through early fall gives us the best action. What makes them special is the fight - they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish out there, and they taste fantastic too. My tip: scale down your tackle and use fluorocarbon leader. These fish have sharp eyes, and heavy gear will spook them. Light tackle makes for a better fight anyway.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are our bread and butter fish - those iconic black stripes make them easy to spot. They typically run 20-40 pounds in our area, though we see some real monsters in the fall migration. You'll find them around structure like rocks, drop-offs, and along the shorelines of Fishers Island and Block Island Sound. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding. They're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat, plus they put up a solid fight. These fish love moving water and hunt in schools, so dawn and dusk fishing near current breaks really pays off. Pro tip: use live eels or fresh bunker, and fish the tide changes. Stripers feed heavily during slack tide periods.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings - massive fish that can reach 6 feet and over 100 pounds around here. They're famous for those wild jumps when hooked, sometimes launching 10 feet out of the water. We find them in the shallower areas around Fishers Island and the salt ponds during summer months when water hits the mid-70s. Most people target them for the sport since they're tough to clean and not great eating due to all the bones. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back - pure power and acrobatics. Here's the thing: when one jumps, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip. It takes tension off the line and keeps that hook from popping out during all that head shaking.
Pawcatuck, CT