Full Day Striped Bass Charter - Mastic Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour charter targeting Striped Bass, Bluefish, and FlounderAll tackle, rods, and New York fishing licenses includedFamily-friendly trip accommodating up to four guests maximum
Captain Paul's eight-hour fishing adventure out of Mastic Beach gives you the complete Long Island fishing experience. We're talking bay fishing, inlet action, and open ocean opportunities all rolled into one solid day on the water. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – you've got time to really get into the fish and try different techniques as conditions change throughout the day. Starting at 6 AM sharp, you'll cover serious ground targeting everything from schoolie stripers to keeper fluke, with plenty of action in between.
This trip takes full advantage of Mastic Beach's prime location with access to multiple fishing zones. You'll start early to beat the crowds and hit the best bite times, working your way from protected bay waters out to the inlet and beyond. Captain Paul knows these waters like the back of his hand – where the structure holds fish, which tides produce, and how to adjust tactics when one spot goes quiet. The boat's set up for four anglers max, so you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with tangled lines every five minutes. All your tackle's provided, including the specialized rigs that work best in these waters, plus your New York fishing license is covered for the day.
You'll be running a mix of fishing styles depending on what's biting and where we're fishing. In the bay, expect to work bottom rigs for fluke and sea bass, using bucktails tipped with gulp or fresh squid strips. When we hit the stripers, we might switch to live lining bunker or throwing plugs and soft plastics around structure. The bluefish usually show up in schools, so when they're around, it's all about matching the baitfish size and getting your lure in the zone fast. Captain Paul's got the rod selection dialed in – medium to heavy spinning setups that can handle everything from 14-inch fluke to 30-inch stripers. The tackle box is stocked with proven Long Island producers: Spro bucktails, Hogy soft baits, Storm plugs, and plenty of fresh bait options.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Long Island fishing, and for good reason. These fish fight hard, grow big, and show up consistently from spring through fall. In these waters, you'll find everything from schoolies around 18-20 inches up to keeper bass pushing 35 inches and 20+ pounds. They're ambush predators that love structure – bridge pilings, drop-offs, and current breaks. The best part about stripers is their willingness to hit artificials, so you get that satisfying topwater blow-up or the solid thump of a bass crushing your bucktail on the drop.
Bluefish bring the aggressive action that gets your heart pumping. These toothy predators travel in schools and when you find them, it's game on. They'll hit just about anything that moves, but they're also notorious for their sharp teeth and acrobatic fights. Blues in this area typically run 2-8 pounds, perfect for putting a serious bend in your rod without requiring heavy tackle. They show up in good numbers during summer and early fall, often feeding on the surface where you can see the commotion from a mile away.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the flatfish that test your patience and reward precision. These bottom dwellers are masters of camouflage, lying in sand waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. What makes them special is their size potential – while you'll catch plenty of shorts, a keeper fluke over 19 inches is a legitimate trophy that'll feed the whole family. The technique is all about feel – working your bucktail or rig along the bottom, feeling for that subtle tap that means a fluke just inhaled your bait.
Black Sea Bass might be smaller than the other targets, but they're scrappy fighters with excellent table fare. These structure-loving fish stack up around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom, often in good numbers. When you find a productive piece of bottom, you can load up on keeper sea bass in the 1-3 pound range. They're curious fish that'll often follow your rig up from the bottom, giving you multiple chances on the same drop.
Scup, also known as porgy, are the underrated fun fish of Long Island waters. They might not win any beauty contests, but they bite aggressively, fight surprisingly hard for their size, and make excellent bait for bigger fish. When the scup are thick, it's non-stop action that keeps kids and new anglers engaged while you're waiting for the bigger fish to show up.
This full-day charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Long Island's inshore fishing has to offer. With Captain Paul's local knowledge, quality tackle, and access to multiple fishing zones, you're set up for success whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The early start time puts you on the water during prime feeding periods, and the eight-hour duration means you can adapt to conditions and chase whatever's biting best. At just four anglers maximum, you'll get the personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Just remember to bring those polarized sunglasses, non-spray sunscreen, and your favorite snacks and drinks for a full day of Long Island fishing at its finest.
This 25' Trophy Walkaround cuts through Long Island waters with serious fishing credentials. Repowered in 2020 with a reliable 250HP Mercury that pushes 30 knots, Captain Paul's boat gets you to the productive spots fast whether you're working the bay flats for flounder or hitting the inlet for stripers and blues. The walkaround design gives everyone room to fish comfortably while the cabin provides shelter when needed. Fish finder technology helps locate schools while GPS keeps you on the hottest marks. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. The onboard facilities mean no rushing back to shore, so you can focus on what matters - putting fish in the boat. Built for stability in varied conditions from protected bays to open ocean fishing grounds around Mastic Beach.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting fish that love structure like wrecks, rocks, and jetties in 20-120 feet of water. They typically run 1-4 pounds but can reach 8+ pounds, with the big males showing bright blue colors during spawning season. These guys are most active from late spring through early fall when they move inshore to feed on crabs, squid, and small fish. What guests love is their strong initial fight and excellent eating quality - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids since they bite readily and aren't too hard to handle. The key is getting your bait right to the bottom near structure. I always tell folks to use a fish finder rig with fresh squid or sea worms, and be ready to horse them away from the rocks quickly.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive fighters that show up in our waters from late spring through fall, typically weighing 3-15 pounds with razor-sharp teeth. These silvery blue predators travel in schools and feed heavily on menhaden, anchovies, and smaller baitfish. You'll find them from the surf zone out to deeper water, often creating feeding frenzies that churn the surface. They hit hard and fight all the way to the boat, making them great for kids and beginners who want constant action. The smaller "snappers" are perfect table fare with sweet, flaky meat - just bleed them right away and keep them cold. When you see birds diving or bait jumping, cast metal lures or live bait right into the chaos. They're not picky eaters when they're feeding.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgies, are small but scrappy bottom feeders that show up in big numbers from May through October near rocks, pilings, and sandy areas. They typically run 8-14 inches and make up for their size with sheer numbers and constant action. These silver fish with rainbow-colored scales have strong jaws perfect for crushing shellfish and worms. Kids absolutely love them because they bite readily and fight harder than you'd expect for their size. They're also excellent eating - sweet, firm meat that's perfect fried or baked. You'll find them in 10-50 feet around structure where they feed on the bottom. Simple bottom rig with small hooks and pieces of squid, clam, or sea worms works best. My tip: use light tackle and small baits, and don't be surprised when you catch three at once.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches but can reach over 30 inches. You'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and along sandy shorelines where they ambush prey like shrimp and small fish. They're most active during cooler months when they move inshore to feed. What makes them fun to target is their sneaky nature - they'll grab your bait and just sit there, so you need to stay alert for that subtle tap. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My trick: use a slow drift with live finger mullet or shrimp on a light jig head, and give them a few seconds to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the king of our local waters, with those distinctive black stripes and strong, chunky bodies. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, but they can get much bigger. These migratory fish love structure - rocks, jetties, drop-offs - and they're most active during dawn, dusk, and moving tides. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're feeding heavily during migration. What makes stripers special is their fight and versatility - they hit everything from live eels to topwater plugs. The meat is excellent too, firm and flaky. They're structure-oriented, so we focus on areas with current breaks and depth changes. My best advice: match your bait to what they're feeding on locally. When bunker are around, nothing beats a fresh chunk fished near the bottom on a fish finder rig.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the "chameleons of the sea" that can change color to match the bottom. These left-eyed flatfish typically range 15-20 inches but can grow much larger, with females reaching impressive sizes. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in bays, inlets, and nearshore waters during warmer months. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand and strike fast at passing baitfish. Guests love them because they're great table fare with sweet, white meat, plus they can be tricky to hook consistently which makes landing one satisfying. The bite peaks in late summer and early fall. My go-to setup is a bucktail jig tipped with squid strips or spearing, bounced slowly along the bottom while drifting. Key is feeling that subtle tap and waiting a beat before setting the hook.
Mastic Beach, NY