5.0(1 Reviews)Evening Striped Bass Fishing Charter Mastic Beach
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour evening charter targets Striped Bass and Bluefish offshoreAll fishing equipment and New York licenses included with bookingFamilyfriendly trip accommodates up to four guests comfortably
There's something special about hitting the water as the afternoon sun starts its descent over Long Island's South Shore. Captain Paul's three-hour evening charter from Mastic Beach puts you right in the sweet spot when stripers and blues start feeding heavily before dark. This isn't some rushed tourist trip – it's a proper fishing experience designed for anyone who wants to get their line wet and maybe land dinner in the process. Whether you've been casting lines for decades or you're still figuring out which end of the rod to hold, this charter gives you solid time on productive water with a captain who knows these fish inside and out.
Your 5:30 PM departure gives you the prime evening bite window when predator fish move shallow to feed. Captain Paul runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed – perfect for families with kids or groups mixing seasoned anglers with rookies. The boat's rigged with quality rods, reels, and tackle that can handle everything from schoolie stripers to chunky bluefish, so you don't need to worry about bringing gear. Your New York fishing license is covered for the trip, which is one less thing to think about. The four-person limit means you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with a crowded deck. Pack some snacks since there's no meal service, and don't forget polarized sunglasses – you'll want them when the sun hits the water at just the right angle to spot fish movement.
Evening inshore fishing around Mastic Beach means adapting to what the fish are doing as light conditions change. Captain Paul typically starts with live bait presentations – bunker, sand eels, or whatever's available fresh that day. As the sun drops lower, switching to artificials like bucktails, soft plastics, or metal jigs often triggers aggressive strikes from feeding fish. The water here ranges from shallow back bays to deeper channels, so you might find yourself drift fishing over structure one minute and casting tight to shoreline cover the next. Light tackle gets the nod most evenings since the fish are actively feeding and don't require heavy artillery to pull them out of deep water. The captain reads conditions and adjusts tactics accordingly – sometimes that means slow-trolling umbrella rigs, other times it's anchoring up and chunking bait where the current sets up right.
"Captain Paul was excellent! The trip had a nice balance of laid-back moments and steady action. We caught a mix of fish and a few unexpected critters, then wrapped things up with a relaxing sunset ride. Overall, a really enjoyable experience!" - Jim
Striped Bass are the backbone of Long Island inshore fishing, and evening hours often produce the most consistent action. These fish range from schoolies around 18-24 inches up to keeper-sized bass pushing 30+ inches and 10-15 pounds. Stripers feed aggressively in low light conditions, especially when baitfish are thick near structure or current breaks. They're smart fish that require varied presentations – what works one evening might get ignored the next. Landing a solid striper on light tackle gives you that head-shaking fight that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Bluefish earn their reputation as some of the most aggressive predators in these waters. When a school of blues moves through, the action gets fast and furious with multiple hookups and screaming drags. These toothy customers average 2-8 pounds in the inshore waters around Mastic Beach, though larger specimens show up during peak migration periods. Blues hit hard and fight dirty – expect strong initial runs and lots of head shaking. They're excellent table fare when bled and iced immediately, though their oily meat requires proper handling to maintain quality.
Summer Flounder, or fluke, provide a different kind of challenge as bottom dwellers that require finesse presentations. These flatfish can grow substantial – anything over 20 inches is considered a solid fish, with doormat-sized specimens exceeding 24 inches and 5+ pounds. Fluke fishing demands patience and sensitivity to detect subtle bites, but hooking into a big one means steady, bulldogging pressure that tests your drag system. They're among the best eating fish in local waters, making them a customer favorite for anglers planning a fish dinner.
Black Sea Bass are structure-oriented fish that provide consistent action around rocky bottom and artificial reefs. These chunky fighters typically range from 1-4 pounds, though larger specimens lurk around prime habitat. Sea bass have excellent meat quality and relatively liberal bag limits, making them popular targets for family trips. They're curious fish that often investigate baits thoroughly before committing, so patience pays off when targeting them specifically.
Southern Flounder represent an interesting variation on the flatfish theme, typically smaller than their summer cousins but equally challenging to hook consistently. These fish require precise bottom presentations and quick hooksets due to their habit of mouthing baits before committing. They're more common during certain seasons and provide variety when mixed in with other target species.
Scup, also known as porgy, are scrappy little fighters that provide steady action when larger gamefish are finicky. These silver-sided fish rarely exceed 2 pounds but make up for size with aggressive strikes and surprising fight for their dimensions. They're underrated table fare and help keep rods bent when conditions make other species less cooperative. Scup often show up in schools, so finding one usually means finding more.
Captain Paul's evening charter hits all the right notes for productive Long Island fishing – proper timing, quality equipment, experienced guidance, and enough space to fish comfortably without feeling rushed. The three-hour window gives you solid fishing time plus that bonus sunset cruise to cap off the experience. With all tackle provided and licensing handled, you just need to show up ready to fish. Four-person capacity means this trip fills up quickly during prime season, especially when
This 25' Trophy Walkaround is built for serious fishing around Mastic Beach waters. With a fresh 250HP Mercury installed in 2020, she'll cruise at 30 knots to get you on the striped bass and blues quickly during those prime evening bites. The walkaround design gives you room to move while fighting fish, and the cabin provides shelter when needed. Captain Paul keeps her spotless and ready to fish. You'll find everything you need aboard - GPS to mark productive spots, fish finder to locate schools, icebox for your catch and cold drinks, plus a head for longer trips. Perfect for up to 4 anglers who want a stable platform for casting lures or drifting bait. Whether you're after keeper bass in the surf or bluefish blitzes offshore, this boat handles Long Island's inshore waters with confidence.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting fish that love hanging around structure like wrecks, rocks, and jetties. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, perfect pan-sized fish with sweet, firm white meat. They're curious fish with big mouths and spiny fins, colored dark gray to black with white scale centers. Males turn bright blue during spawning and develop a distinctive hump on their heads. Best season runs late spring through early fall when they move into shallower water around 20-60 feet deep. Guests enjoy their scrappy fight and how good they taste - excellent eating fish. Bottom fishing with squid, clams, or small jigs works best. My local trick: use a two-hook rig with different baits. These fish are competitive feeders, so multiple hooks often mean multiple fish.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that show up in our waters from late spring through fall, running anywhere from 2-15 pounds around here. These silver-green fighters have razor-sharp teeth and pack serious attitude - they'll hit just about anything that moves. You'll find them feeding in schools near the surface, often pushing baitfish right up to the shoreline. Summer evenings are prime time when they go on feeding frenzies that'll bend your rod double. What guests love most is their non-stop fight and how they make great eating when fresh. The meat's rich and flaky, perfect for the grill. Best technique is casting spoons or poppers into feeding schools, but live bunker works too. Pro tip: bring a towel and pliers - these fish will bite anything, including your fingers, so handle with respect.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy, are small but scrappy fish with compressed, silvery bodies and sharp spines along their dorsal fins. Most run 8-12 inches and make perfect pan fish with sweet, firm white meat. They're bottom feeders with strong jaws built for crushing shells and feed around rocky areas, pilings, and wrecks. Best fishing is May through October when they move inshore - they actually migrate south and offshore for winter. Kids love catching these cooperative fish since they bite readily and fight hard for their size. They also make excellent live bait for bigger stripers. Bottom fishing with small hooks, light tackle, and bits of squid, clam, or worms works best. Local trick: use a high-low rig with size 4 hooks. Scup often feed in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more. Keep your bait moving with gentle jigs - they like action.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish that live on sandy and muddy bottoms around Long Island waters. Most run 15-18 inches, though bigger ones hit 20+ inches and several pounds. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand with just their eyes showing, waiting for baitfish, shrimp, and crabs to swim by. They're masters of camouflage, changing color to match the bottom. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they move inshore. Guests love the challenge of finding these sneaky fish - they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Try drift fishing with live minnows or strip baits near structure. Local tip: when you feel that subtle tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. Flounder grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the king of our local waters - powerful, silver fish with distinctive black stripes running down their sides. Around here, most run 20-35 inches, though bigger bass over 40 inches show up regularly. They're structure-oriented fish that love rocky areas, drop-offs, and moving water where baitfish get pushed around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them all season long. Evening trips are perfect since they feed actively at dusk near the surface. What guests love is their strong, bulldogging fight and excellent table fare - striped bass has firm, flaky meat with great flavor. Live eels and bunker are top baits, but they'll hit plugs and jigs too. My go-to tip: watch for bird activity. When gulls are diving, there's usually stripers feeding underneath pushing bait to the surface.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of our local waters - flat fish with both eyes on one side that can change color to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but the bigger "doormat" fluke over 5 pounds are what everyone's after. They're ambush hunters that bury in sand waiting for baitfish to swim by. Best fishing runs May through October in 15-40 feet of water over sandy bottom near structure. Guests love the challenge of feeling their subtle bite and the reward of excellent table fare - fluke has sweet, delicate white meat that's hard to beat. Drift fishing with bucktails tipped with squid or spearing works best. Local secret: add a small strip of fluke belly to your jig. The scent drives them crazy and often triggers strikes when nothing else works.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Paul was excellent! The trip had a nice balance of laid-back moments and steady action. We caught a mix of fish and a few ...
Mastic Beach, NY