5.0(2 Reviews)Half Day Morning Bass & Flounder Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning charter targets striped bass and flounder inshoreAll equipment and fishing licenses included with expert guidanceFamilyfriendly trip accommodates up to four guests comfortably
Looking for a solid morning of fishing without burning the whole day? Captain Paul's half-day charter out of Mastic Beach delivers exactly what Long Island anglers want – productive fishing in prime inshore waters with a seasoned guide who knows these bays like the back of his hand. This four-hour morning trip puts you right in the sweet spot where stripers cruise the drop-offs and flounder sit tight on the sandy bottoms. We're talking about real fishing here, not just boat rides with poles in the water.
You'll be fishing the productive bays and inlets around Mastic Beach, where the water structure creates perfect ambush spots for feeding fish. Captain Paul knows every hump, hole, and grass line in these waters, and he'll position you where the fish are actually holding – not just where they look like they should be. The morning bite is typically the strongest, especially during those first few hours after sunrise when baitfish are active and predators are feeding aggressively. This isn't a crowded party boat situation either – with just four anglers maximum, you'll have plenty of room to fish comfortably and get personalized attention from the captain. All your tackle, rods, and reels are provided, plus your fishing license is covered in the trip cost. Captain Paul stays on top of the constantly changing regulations, so you won't have to worry about size limits, bag limits, or seasonal closures.
We fish a variety of techniques depending on what's working and what species we're targeting. For striped bass, we'll often drift live bait or work soft plastics along structure where these fish patrol for food. When the flounder bite is on, we'll anchor up on productive bottom and use traditional rigs with fresh bait to entice these flatfish off the sand. The beauty of inshore fishing is adapting to conditions – if the wind picks up, we can tuck into protected areas and still find fish. Captain Paul provides quality spinning gear that can handle everything from schoolie stripers to keeper fluke, and he's got the tackle box loaded with proven local baits and lures. Polarized sunglasses are a must-bring item – they'll help you see fish in the water and cut through surface glare. Skip the spray sunscreen since it can get on your hands and transfer to baits, making them less appealing to fish. Pack some drinks and snacks since this is a bring-your-own-food trip, but don't overdo it – you'll be too busy catching fish to eat much anyway.
"We had a very enjoyable time fishing with Captain Paul." - Scott
"It was a wonderful experience with Captain Paul. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the trip enjoyable from start to finish. We're already looking forward to coming back next year." - Joanne
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Long Island inshore fishing, and Mastic Beach waters hold some quality fish. These predators can range from schoolie-sized fish perfect for action to keeper stripers that'll give you a real fight. Spring and fall are prime times, but summer mornings can produce excellent results when these fish move shallow to feed. Stripers are smart and moody – one day they'll crush topwater lures, the next they want live bunker drifted deep. That's what makes them so addictive to catch.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Long Island summer fishing. These flatfish can grow impressively large in these waters, and a doormat fluke is always a possibility. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand and wait for baitfish to swim overhead. The key to consistent fluke fishing is staying mobile and covering water until you locate a school. Once you find them, the action can be fast and furious.
Southern Flounder offer similar excitement to their summer cousins but tend to be more active in cooler water periods. They're often overlooked by anglers focused on fluke, but they fight just as hard and taste just as good. These fish prefer slightly different bottom composition and can be found in areas where other anglers aren't looking.
Bluefish are the ultimate action fish – aggressive, hard-fighting, and always ready to bite. When a school of blues moves through, you'll know it immediately. They travel in packs and compete with each other for food, which makes for exciting fishing. These fish have razor-sharp teeth and attitude to match, so handling them requires some care, but the fight they provide is second to none.
Black Sea Bass are structure-oriented fish that provide steady action once you locate them. They're curious by nature and will often investigate baits, making them relatively easy to catch once you're in the right spot. These fish have been making a strong comeback in local waters, and catching a jumbo sea bass is always a trip highlight. They're excellent table fare and fight harder than their size suggests.
Scup, also known as porgy, are often the first fish young anglers catch, but don't let that fool you into thinking they're just kid fish. Larger scup are strong fighters and excellent eating. They school up in good numbers and can provide steady action when other species are finicky. Captain Paul knows the specific spots where trophy-sized scup hang out, away from the smaller fish that dominate most areas.
This half-day morning format is perfect for anglers who want quality fishing without dedicating an entire day to it. You'll be back at the dock with time to spare for other activities, but you'll have experienced some of the best fishing Long Island's south shore has to offer. Captain Paul's local knowledge and commitment to putting his clients on fish makes this a top-rated choice among both residents and visiting anglers. The four-person limit ensures everyone gets personal attention and plenty of
This 25-foot Trophy Walkaround gets you to the fish fast with its freshly repowered 250HP Mercury hitting 30 knots across Mastic Beach waters. Built for serious anglers, this cabin cruiser handles the inshore bays and inlets like a champ while keeping your crew of up to 4 comfortable during those productive morning hours. The fish finder helps locate striped bass and flounder hotspots, while GPS navigation ensures you never miss your favorite fishing grounds. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus there's a head for convenience during longer drifts. The stable walkaround design gives everyone room to work their lines without crowding, whether you're bottom fishing for fluke or casting for stripers along the structure. Clean, reliable, and perfectly sized for intimate fishing trips with family or friends.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting fish that hang around structure in 15-60 feet of water. Most of what we catch runs 1-4 pounds, though the bigger males can push 6+ pounds and develop that distinctive hump during spawning season. They're excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Spring through fall is prime time when they move inshore to feed around rocks, wrecks, and pilings. What makes them fun is they'll hit both bait and lures, and once hooked, they use that deep body to put up a solid fight all the way to the boat. Pro tip: use a short leader and keep your bait right on bottom - they rarely chase food up in the water column.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in our waters from late spring through fall, with peak action in summer. These silver-blue fighters typically run 3-8 pounds, though we see some teens when conditions are right. They hunt in schools around bait pods in the bays and along structure. What guests love is the hard fight they put up - they'll make several strong runs before coming to the boat. Plus, smaller "cocktail blues" are fantastic table fare when bled and iced properly. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from live bait to metal jigs and plugs. Here's the key: when you find one, there's usually a school nearby, so work the area thoroughly. Just watch those sharp teeth when handling them!
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgies, are silver-scaled bottom dwellers that show up in good numbers from May through October. Most run 8-14 inches and make great panfish with sweet, firm meat. They school up around structure like rocks, pilings, and wrecks in 15-50 feet of water, constantly searching for clams, worms, and small crabs. What makes them popular, especially with kids, is they're cooperative biters and fight harder than their size suggests. They're also primo bait for bigger stripers. The beauty is they're easy to catch once you find them - simple bottom rigs with squid, clam, or marine worms work best. Here's my trick: when you hook one, drop right back down. Where there's one scup, there's usually a whole school.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, oval fish that bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms throughout our local bays and inlets. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them perfectly adapted for bottom ambush hunting. Most run 15-18 inches, though we occasionally land some pushing 30+ inches. They're active year-round in our waters, with fall being prime time when they move through on their way offshore. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability - they can change color to match the bottom perfectly. Great eating fish with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. My tip: when drift fishing, keep your bait moving slowly just off the bottom. They'll often follow before striking, so patience pays off.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of our local fishery. These silver fish with dark horizontal stripes are built for power - most range 20-40 pounds, though we see some real cows pushing 50+. They're structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, rocks, and current breaks throughout our bays and along the beach. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is the fight - they make long, powerful runs and know how to use the current. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with firm, flaky meat. The secret is fishing the moving water during tide changes. Whether it's live eels, bunker, or throwing metal, timing the tides right makes all the difference in finding hungry fish.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of our local waters. These flatfish can change color instantly to match the bottom they're sitting on. Most run 15-20 inches, but the bigger "doormat" fluke over 5 pounds are what everyone's after. They're ambush predators that bury in sand waiting for bait to swim by. Best fishing is May through October in depths from 10-40 feet around structure or drop-offs. What makes them special is they're both challenging to catch and excellent eating - sweet, white fillets that are hard to beat. The key is keeping your bait moving. I like to bounce a bucktail with a strip of squid or spearing just off the bottom. Let it settle, then give it a quick hop.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a very enjoyable time fishing with Captain Paul.
It was a wonderful experience with Captain Paul. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the trip enjoyable from start to finish....
Mastic Beach, NY