Half Day Striped Bass & Flounder Charter
Captain Paul's afternoon fishing charter out of Mastic Beach puts you right in the heart of Long Island's most productive inshore waters. This four-hour trip kicks off at noon, giving you the perfect window to target everything from chunky stripers to doormat fluke in the protected bays and inlet systems that make this stretch of coast a local favorite. With all tackle included and your New York fishing license covered, you just need to show up ready to fish.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll be fishing the back bay systems and inlet mouths where the structure holds baitfish and the game fish follow. Captain Paul knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to move around to find the bite. Expect to hit multiple spots during your four hours—maybe starting on some fluke structure, then moving to the inlet for bass, or working the deeper holes where the scup and sea bass hang out. The boat handles up to four anglers comfortably, so whether you're bringing the family or a small group of friends, everyone gets plenty of room to fish. Kids are more than welcome, and Paul's got the patience to help them learn the ropes.
Tackle and Techniques
All your gear is provided, from spinning rods matched to the target species down to the terminal tackle. For fluke, you'll likely be working bucktails with Gulp trailers or fishing live killies near structure. When the bass are feeding, expect to throw everything from topwater plugs in the shallows to soft plastics worked along the drop-offs. The beauty of fishing these protected waters is the variety—you might be jigging for sea bass one minute and casting plugs for blues the next. Paul switches up techniques based on conditions and what's biting, so you'll get a real education in local fishing methods. Just remember to bring polarized sunglasses, non-spray sunscreen, and whatever snacks and drinks you'll want for the afternoon.
Customer Stories
"We had an awesome day on the water with Captain Paul! The boat may be older, but it's been recently re-powered and ran great, giving us a smooth and comfortable ride. He worked hard throughout the trip, moving us to four different spots, and each one delivered fish. The standout catch was a 26-inch doormat fluke—definitely one to remember. It's clear he knows these waters inside and out and is focused on making sure everyone enjoys the trip. Highly recommend booking with Captain Paul for a fun and productive day!" - Lawrence
"We were searching for a private charter on Long Island for my son and his dad, who uses a wheelchair, and that's when we found Captain Paul. He reached out right away and shared that he had been working on ways to accommodate wheelchair access, which meant so much to us. Thanks to his effort and care, my son and his dad enjoyed an experience we truly didn't think would be possible. It's something we'll always be thankful for." - Michael
"Captain Paul made our Father's Day truly special. He had all the gear ready, walked us through everything we needed to know, and made sure we were comfortable the entire time. We're already planning to book another trip with him!" - Venus
Top Catches This Season
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Long Island fishing, and the Mastic Beach area produces some real quality fish. These fish move with the tides and bait, often staging near inlet mouths where they can ambush bunker, spearing, and other forage. Summer and early fall offer the best action, with fish ranging from schoolies up to keeper-sized bass in the 28-35 inch range. What makes stripers so exciting is their fight—they'll make strong runs and test your drag, especially in the current around the inlets.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are pure eating and a blast to catch. These flatfish can grow substantial in these waters, with doormat-sized fish over 20 inches not uncommon during peak season from late spring through early fall. They're ambush predators that bury in sand near structure, waiting to grab an easy meal. The trick is keeping your bait moving just off the bottom, and when a good fluke hits, you'll know it—they fight dirty, using their flat profile to leverage against the current.
Bluefish bring the aggression factor to your trip. These toothy predators travel in schools and when they're feeding, the action can be nonstop. Blues hit hard and fight harder, making long runs and putting on aerial shows. They're most active during the warmer months and often push bait right up to the surface, creating those feeding frenzies that make for epic fishing. Just watch your fingers—those teeth are razor sharp.
Black Sea Bass are the bottom-dwelling bruisers that love structure and rocky areas. These fish have serious pulling power for their size and are excellent table fare. They're typically most active from late spring through fall, holding tight to structure where they feed on crabs, worms, and small baitfish. A good sea bass will test your tackle with short, powerful runs straight back to the rocks.
Scup, also known as porgy, might be smaller than the other target species, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. These fish are scrappy fighters that travel in schools around structure and sandy bottom areas. They're most abundant during the summer months and provide steady action when the larger game fish are being finicky. Kids especially love catching scup because they're aggressive biters and fun to reel in.
Time to Book Your Spot
This top-rated afternoon charter gives you everything you need for a successful day on the water without the commitment of a full-day trip. Captain Paul's local knowledge, quality gear, and dedication to putting you on fish makes this a customer favorite for both experienced anglers and families just getting into the sport. The afternoon timing is perfect—you can sleep in, grab
5.0(5 Reviews)
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Top Rated
Mastic Beach, NY
Four-hour afternoon charter targets Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Flounder
