Afternoon Inshore Fishing Charter in Long Island, NY
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting striped bass and bluefishAll equipment and bait provided with expert guidanceSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests
Looking for some solid afternoon action on Long Island's productive inshore waters? Captain Rick Gulia knows exactly where the fish are holding, and this 4-hour charter puts you right in the mix. Whether you're chasing aggressive stripers around structure or working the flats for fluke, these waters consistently deliver the goods. With all tackle provided and room for just three anglers, you'll get the personalized attention that makes the difference between stories and photos. Captain Rick tailors each trip to current conditions and fish activity, so you're always fishing the hot bite instead of yesterday's news.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience – you're getting a top-rated guide who knows Long Island's inshore waters like his own backyard. Captain Rick keeps things flexible, reading the conditions and adjusting tactics throughout the trip to keep you on fish. Some days that means working shallow structure for stripers, other times it's drifting open water for blues or targeting bottom structure where the blackfish hang out. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – you might start the trip jigging for fluke and end up casting topwater for breaking fish. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait come included, so you can focus on fishing instead of rigging. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in new techniques or a beginner who needs the basics, Captain Rick provides real-time instruction that gets results.
Long Island Light Tackle lives up to its name, using appropriately sized gear that lets you feel every headshake and run. You'll work with spinning and conventional setups depending on the target species and conditions. For stripers, expect to throw everything from soft plastics around structure to live bait in the current. Fluke fishing means working bucktails and gulp baits along the bottom, feeling for that distinctive tap-tap-thump of a flatfish pickup. When the blues are schooled up and feeding, you might find yourself casting metals or working the surface with poppers. Captain Rick reads the water constantly, adjusting depth, presentation, and location based on what the fish are telling him. The light tackle approach means you're not overpowering the fish – you're finessing them, which makes every catch more satisfying and gives smaller fish a real chance to show their fight.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Long Island inshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are smart, strong, and absolutely addictive to catch. Spring and fall offer the best action as they move through during their migrations, but resident fish provide steady opportunities through summer. Stripers range from schoolie size around 20 inches up to true cows pushing 40+ pounds. They're structure-oriented fish that love current breaks, drop-offs, and rocky areas where baitfish get pushed around. What makes them special is their intelligence – they'll test your skills with sudden direction changes and powerful runs toward cover.
Bluefish bring pure aggression to every fight, earning their reputation as some of the hardest-fighting fish in these waters. These toothy predators travel in schools and when you find them feeding, the action can be absolutely electric. Summer months see the best bluefish action, especially when they're chasing bunker schools near the surface. They'll hit almost anything that moves, from metals to poppers to cut bait. Blues in the 3-8 pound range are common, with larger choppers showing up when conditions align. Their razor-sharp teeth and never-quit attitude make every hookup a battle worth remembering.
Fluke, or summer flounder, represent Long Island's premier bottom fishing opportunity from late spring through early fall. These master ambush predators lie buried in sand waiting for prey to drift overhead, then explode upward in a cloud of sediment. The bite feels like someone tapping your line with a pencil before they commit and load up the rod. Quality fluke in the 18-25 inch range are common, with doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds always a possibility. They're excellent table fare and provide a different style of fishing that requires patience and sensitivity to detect those subtle bites.
Weakfish, also called sea trout locally, are making a comeback in Long Island waters after years of reduced numbers. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted sides are incredible light-tackle fighters that make blistering runs when hooked. They prefer deeper water during the day and move shallow to feed at dawn and dusk. Weakfish have a soft mouth that requires careful handling, but their sweet, flaky meat and spectacular fighting ability make them a customer favorite when they're around.
Sea bass, particularly black sea bass, provide consistent action around structure throughout the warmer months. These feisty bottom dwellers don't grow huge, but they make up for size with attitude and excellent eating quality. They're perfect for anglers who want steady action, as they're typically found in schools around wrecks, rocks, and other hard bottom areas. Their distinctive appearance and willingness to bite make them especially popular with newcomers to saltwater fishing.
Long Island's inshore waters offer some of the East Coast's most diverse and productive fishing, and Captain Rick Gulia has the local knowledge to put you on the best action available. With only three spots per trip, you're getting a personalized experience that bigger boats simply can't match. The afternoon timing works perfectly for anglers who want to avoid early morning departures while still hitting prime fishing windows. All the gear is provided, the captain knows where the fish are, and you'll leave with both improved skills and great stories. Whether you're looking to land your first striper or add to an already impressive fish count, this charter delivers the Long Island inshore experience you're looking for.
Captain Rick's 1995 23-foot center console is built for serious Long Island inshore action. This fishing machine handles the bay waters and sound with ease, powered by a reliable 250 HP Suzuki that'll get you to the hot spots fast. The open deck layout gives you plenty of room to work your lines and fight striped bass without getting tangled up with other anglers. What makes this boat perfect for chasing stripers and blues is the fish finder that helps locate schools, plus GPS to mark productive spots for return trips. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure where blackfish and fluke hang out. VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats sharing bite reports. Cold drinks and snacks stay fresh in the onboard icebox during those long afternoon sessions when the fish are really cooperating. The center console design means easy 360-degree fishing access - whether you're casting to breaking bluefish or dropping baits for bottom fish. At 38 knots top speed, you can cover serious water to find active fish along Long Island's productive coastline.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that put on some of the best shows you'll see on the water. They run up to 20 pounds around here, with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. These fish travel in schools, hitting baitfish so hard they'll turn the water into a washing machine - we call it a "bluefish blitz." Mid-June through October is prime time when they follow the bait north. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag, plus smaller "snappers" are perfect for kids and beginners. The meat's oily and rich - great smoked or grilled fresh. When you see birds diving and water churning, get there fast. They'll hit anything that moves - spoons, poppers, cut bait. Use a wire leader though, those teeth will slice through mono in seconds.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy little fighters that hang around hard bottom near wrecks, jetties, and rocky structure. Most run about a foot long and weigh around a pound, though we see some pushing 26 inches. They're aggressive feeders with sharp teeth and big appetites - they'll hit squid, clams, bucktails, and soft plastics. Spring through fall is prime time when they move into shallower water. What makes them special is the fight they put up for their size, plus they're absolutely delicious - that's why high-end restaurants pay top dollar for them. They travel in schools, so once you find one, there's usually more. Keep your jigs bouncing right on bottom - that's where they live and feed.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud on shallow flats where they ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, though they can reach over 30 inches and 20 pounds. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that unique appearance guests love. They're found on sandy and muddy bottoms in bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters. Spring and fall are prime as they move through our area. What makes them special is the challenge - you're sight fishing or blind casting to invisible fish. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. Live bull minnows and shrimp work best, but soft plastics bounced slowly along bottom will trigger strikes. Keep your bait moving just above the substrate - they'll dart up to grab it.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted weakfish, or "specks," are ambush predators with soft mouths that make for exciting light tackle fishing. They average 12-16 inches but can push over 3 feet. These silver fish with scattered spots prefer shallow grass flats and sandy bottoms in bays and estuaries during warmer months. Spring through early fall is best when they're actively feeding on shrimp, anchovies, and small baitfish. They're excellent table fare with delicate, flaky meat. What's fun is they'll hit topwater lures and flies aggressively, making for visual strikes. The key is a slow retrieve until they approach, then speed up to trigger the strike. Since their mouths are soft, keep steady pressure but don't horse them in or you'll pull the hook.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our Long Island waters, running 20-40 pounds on average with those classic dark horizontal stripes. These powerful fish migrate through our area spring through fall, following baitfish along structure like jetties, drop-offs, and sandy bars. They're not the fastest swimmers, but they're strong fighters that'll give you a real workout. Peak action happens during their fall migration when they're feeding heavily before heading south. The meat's sweet and flaky - some of the best eating you'll find. My go-to trick is to look for diving birds and bait schools near moving water at dawn and dusk. That's when the stripers come up to feed and you'll get the most action.
Long Island, NY