Full Day Inshore Charter - Long Island's Best
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day charter targets striped bass and bluefish inshoreCaptain Rick provides all equipment and expert local guidanceSmall group experience accommodates up to three anglers maximum
Captain Rick Gulia knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why Long Island's inshore fishing scene draws anglers from all over the Northeast. This 8-hour charter with Long Island Light Tackle LLC puts you right in the sweet spots where striped bass, fluke, and bluefish cruise the bays and coastal waters. You'll fish with a small crew of just three guests max, so there's plenty of room to cast and no fighting over the best spots on deck. Rick provides all the tackle, bait, and local know-how you need - just bring yourself and get ready to learn some tricks that'll make you a better angler.
This isn't your typical head boat experience where you're shoulder-to-shoulder with dozens of other anglers. With only three guests aboard, Captain Rick can tailor the trip to what's biting and what you want to target. Some days that means working the structure for blackfish, other days it's drifting eelgrass beds for weakfish or running the rips for false albacore when they're blitzing bait. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety - you might start the morning bottom fishing for fluke and scup, then switch to casting plugs at breaking stripers by afternoon. Rick's been working these waters for years and knows how to read the conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns that put fish in the boat. He'll position the boat precisely where you need to be, whether that's anchored over a productive piece of bottom or drifting a promising edge.
All your gear is covered - rods, reels, terminal tackle, and fresh bait. Rick runs light tackle setups that are perfect for the inshore game, giving you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites but enough backbone to handle a decent striper or doormat fluke. Depending on what's happening, you might be bouncing bucktails and Gulp baits for fluke, dropping hi-lo rigs for scup and blackfish, or throwing soft plastics and topwater plugs when the bass are feeding up in the water column. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so Rick can mark productive spots and return to them throughout the day. You'll learn proper drift techniques, how to read your rod tip for different species, and when to switch up your presentation based on what the fish are telling you. The hands-on instruction is what separates this charter from just a boat ride - you'll walk away knowing more about reading water, understanding tides, and picking the right bait for the conditions.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Long Island inshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish fight hard, grow big, and challenge anglers with their varying moods and feeding patterns. Spring and fall are prime time when schools of bass move through these waters during their migrations. You might hook a 20-inch schoolie that gives you a quick scrap, or tie into a 30-plus inch keeper that peels drag and makes multiple runs. Bass are smart - they'll inspect your bait, test your drag, and use every trick in the book to throw the hook. That's what makes landing a good one so satisfying.
Scup, or porgies as locals call them, are the perfect species for building confidence and keeping the action steady. These silver-sided baitfish fighters are abundant in Long Island's waters from late spring through fall. They school up over structure and bottom areas, often providing non-stop action when you find them. Don't let their size fool you - a good porgy will bend your rod and put up a spirited fight. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to bring dinner home.
Spotted weakfish bring a different kind of excitement to the mix. These silvery predators have a soft mouth that requires finesse - too much pressure and they'll throw the hook, too little and they'll never get pinned. Weakfish love grass beds and structure edges, often feeding during moving water. When you find a school, the action can be fast and furious. They make strong initial runs and have a habit of jumping, which keeps you on your toes. The best part about weakfish is their willingness to hit artificials - soft plastics, small bucktails, and even topwater lures can trigger aggressive strikes.
Bluefish are the bulldogs of the inshore scene. When they're feeding, you'll know it - they attack bait with reckless abandon and fight like they're twice their size. Blues can show up any time during the warmer months, often in mixed schools with bass or hunting solo along beaches and structure. They'll hit just about anything you throw at them, from chunks of bunker to flashy spoons and plugs. A good bluefish will make long runs, thrash on the surface, and test your drag system. Their razor-sharp teeth mean you'll need a wire leader, and Captain Rick will have you rigged properly when these choppers are around.
Long Island's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent and diverse fishing on the East Coast, and there's no better way to experience it than with a captain who lives and breathes these waters every day. This full-day charter gives you the time to really get into fish, try different techniques, and learn the subtle details that make the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. With all tackle provided and expert guidance throughout the trip, you can focus on what matters most - enjoying the fishing and maybe bringing home dinner. Whether you're new to salt water angling or looking to sharpen your inshore skills, Captain Rick will put you on fish and teach you something new. Don't wait - the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during prime season when the bite is hot.
Captain Rick's 1995 23-foot center console is perfectly rigged for chasing striped bass and bluefish in Long Island's productive waters. This nimble fishing machine runs on a reliable 250 HP Suzuki that gets you to the hot spots fast, hitting 38 knots when the bite is on fire at distant structure. The open center console layout gives you and two fellow anglers plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. She's loaded with everything serious fishermen need - fish finder to mark baitfish and structure, GPS to hit productive numbers, VHF radio for reports from other boats, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over spooky stripers without spooking them with engine noise. Whether you're drifting for fluke, jigging for blackfish around structure, or running-and-gunning for feeding bluefish, this boat handles Long Island's inshore waters like a champ and puts you right where the fish are biting.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are pure aggression with fins - they'll attack anything that moves and fight hard all the way to the boat. These blue-green predators typically run 3-15 pounds around Long Island, with razor-sharp teeth that can slice through wire. They roam our coastal waters from June through October, often forming feeding schools that turn the surface into foam when they hit baitfish. What anglers love is the non-stop action - when blues are feeding, you can catch them on almost anything. They're good eating too, especially the smaller "cocktail blues" under 5 pounds. Watch your fingers when handling them - those teeth are serious business. Pro tip: when you see birds diving and water churning white, that's a bluefish blitz. Get any lure in there fast and hang on.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as most locals call them, are fantastic fish for families and newer anglers. These silvery bottom-dwellers typically run 12-16 inches and have strong jaws built for crushing shells and crabs. You'll find them around rocky structure, pilings, and wrecks from May through October when the water warms up. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. What guests love is how cooperative they are - once you find a school, the action stays steady. Bottom fishing with squid, clams, or marine worms works best. Here's a trick: use a small hook and keep your bait moving slightly off the bottom. They're curious fish and that little movement often triggers the bite when they're being picky.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted weakfish, or speckled trout, are ambush predators that make our shallow grass flats come alive. These silver fish with scattered dark spots average 12-16 inches but can push 20+ inches on good days. They hunt over sandy bottoms and grass beds in 3-20 feet of water, especially during warmer months when they move into our bays. What makes them fun is their aggressive strikes on lures and their willingness to hit topwater baits. They're also great eating with mild, flaky meat. The trick with weakfish is their soft mouths - that's how they got the name. Use a steady retrieve on soft plastics or spoons, and when they hit, don't horse them. Keep steady pressure and let the rod do the work, or you'll pull the hook right out.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Long Island waters. These silver fighters with their distinctive dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we see plenty of schoolies too. They love structure - rocky bottoms, drop-offs, and around bridges where baitfish gather. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during their migration when they're feeding heavily on bunker and herring. What makes stripers special is their fight - they'll make long runs and put serious bend in your rod. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: when you see birds working the surface, get your lines in fast. Those stripers are feeding underneath and won't stay long. Use circle hooks and be ready for that first screaming run.
Long Island, NY