5.0(1 Reviews)Morning Inshore Fishing Charter in Long Island, NY
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore charter targets striped bass and flukeAll fishing equipment and bait provided by experienced captainSmall group experience accommodates up to three anglers
Captain Rick Gulia knows these Long Island waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during this 4-hour morning charter. You'll be targeting the area's top inshore species including striped bass, fluke, blackfish, weakfish, bluefish, and false albacore in some of the most productive fishing waters on the East Coast. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to work with a seasoned local captain who understands how to read the water, follow the bait, and adjust tactics on the fly to keep your lines tight.
Your morning starts early, which is exactly when you want to be fishing these inshore waters. Captain Rick runs a tight ship with Long Island Light Tackle LLC, focusing on bay and nearshore fishing where the action happens fast and the variety keeps things interesting. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped boat that can handle up to 3 anglers, making this perfect for small groups who want personalized attention and plenty of elbow room. The captain provides all your rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the cooler. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone just getting into saltwater fishing, Rick adapts his approach to match your skill level while keeping everyone engaged and learning.
Long Island's inshore fishing is all about reading conditions and matching your technique to what the fish are doing. You'll work with light tackle setups that give you the sensitivity to feel every bite while still having enough backbone to handle the bigger stripers and fluke that cruise these waters. Depending on the season and what's biting, you might be drifting with bucktails for fluke, working eels around structure for striped bass, or casting poppers when the bluefish are busting bait on the surface. Captain Rick's real-time instruction means you're constantly picking up new tricks – how to work a jig properly, when to let the current do the work, and how to read your rod tip for those subtle bites that separate successful anglers from those who go home empty-handed.
"Rick was an awesome guide. Highly recommend, was super nice and kept hunting the fish for us." - Michael
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Long Island fishing, and these waters hold some real quality fish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, with schoolies mixing in with keeper-sized bass that can stretch your drag. Stripers are structure-oriented fish that love to ambush baitfish around rocks, bridges, and drop-offs. What makes them special is their fight – they'll make long runs, shake their heads, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. The fact that they're excellent table fare when handled properly makes landing a nice striper the highlight of any trip.
Sea bass might be smaller than their striped cousins, but pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in these waters. These bottom dwellers love rocky structure and wrecks, where they feed on crabs, worms, and small baitfish. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're known for their aggressive strikes and stubborn fights. When you hook into a good black sea bass, they'll dive straight for cover, testing your drag and your patience. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Spotted weakfish, or "weakies" as locals call them, are making a comeback in Long Island waters after years of declining numbers. These silvery fighters are known for their soft mouths – hence the name – which means you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them to the boat. They're most active during low-light periods and love to feed in grass beds and shallow flats. When the weakfish bite is on, you can have fast action with fish ranging from schoolies to trophy-sized specimens that will test your light tackle skills.
Southern flounder, commonly called fluke around here, are the kings of bottom fishing. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud while waiting to ambush passing prey. Summer is prime time for fluke fishing, with the biggest fish often called "doormat" fluke for obvious reasons. What makes fluke fishing addictive is the variety – you never know if the next drift will produce a short fish or a wall-hanger that'll have you talking for years. Their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights make every hookup exciting.
Bluefish are the bulldogs of Long Island waters, known for their razor-sharp teeth and aggressive feeding behavior. When blues are in feeding mode, they'll hit just about anything you throw at them, making for fast-paced action that's perfect for newer anglers. These fish travel in schools and can create feeding frenzies that attract birds and other predators. Blues are strongest during their spring and fall migrations, and while they're oily fish that some love and others avoid on the dinner table, there's no denying the pure excitement of watching them crash surface lures or strip line off your reel on a screaming run.
Captain Rick's morning inshore charters fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best. This 4-hour trip gives you the perfect taste of what Long Island fishing is all about – variety, action, and the chance to learn from someone who's made a living reading these waters. With all gear provided and instruction tailored to your experience level, you'll walk away with new skills, great memories, and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish. Don't wait until the season's in full swing to book your spot – the best fishing often happens when you least expect it, and having a trip already scheduled means you won't miss out when conditions are perfect.
Captain Rick's 23-foot center console is your ticket to productive inshore waters around Long Island. This 1995 workhorse runs on a reliable 250 HP Suzuki that'll cruise you to the fishing grounds at 38 knots, getting you more time with lines in the water. The open center console layout gives everyone room to fight fish without getting tangled up. She's rigged for serious angling with a fish finder to locate stripers and fluke, GPS to mark your hot spots, and VHF radio for safety. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure without spooking fish. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long fights with Long Island's famous striped bass. Whether you're working the rocky bottom for fluke or chasing bluefish in the shallows, this boat puts you right where the action is.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive, silver-sided fish with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They typically range from small "snappers" at 7 inches up to chopper blues pushing 10-15 pounds. You'll find them in schools throughout our bays, harbors, and open water, especially chasing baitfish near the surface. Summer into fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their southern migration. Anglers love blues because they're willing biters, fight hard, and create some real excitement when schools are feeding. Just watch those teeth! The smaller ones are great eating, while the bigger fish have stronger flavor. When you see birds working or bait getting pushed around, that's your cue to get lures in the water fast - the bite can shut off as quickly as it starts.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are one of the most reliable fish we target on these inshore trips. These dark, chunky fish average around a foot long and weigh 1-2 pounds, though we regularly see keeper-sized fish pushing 3-4 pounds. They live right on hard bottom - wrecks, reefs, and rocky areas where they can ambush prey like crabs and small fish. Spring through fall is your best bet, especially when water temps are stable. What guests love about sea bass? They're aggressive biters, great for kids and beginners, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table. These fish travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more. My advice: once you hook up, keep your jig or bait right in that same spot - their buddies are probably still down there waiting.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish that are masters of camouflage on sandy and muddy bottoms. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they typically run 15-18 inches, with some doormat-sized fish reaching 5+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and near-shore waters where they bury themselves in sand waiting to ambush prey. They're most active during warmer months when they move into the shallows to feed. What makes flounder fishing fun is the challenge - they're sneaky biters and excellent table fare. The key is fishing right on bottom with live bait like minnows or strips of squid. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Give them a few seconds to fully take the bait, then lift firmly.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted weakfish, or "specks," are silver beauties with irregular dark spots along their sides that make them easy to identify. Most run 12-16 inches, but we catch some nice ones pushing 3-4 pounds. They're ambush predators that hang around grass beds, sandy bottoms, and shallow bay areas where they can surprise baitfish. Late spring through early fall is when they're most active in our waters. Guests really enjoy targeting specks because they hit lures aggressively and put up a decent scrap for their size. The meat is sweet and flaky too. Here's the key with weakfish - their mouths are soft, so don't horse them. Keep steady pressure but let your drag do the work, especially when they make their runs near the boat.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Long Island waters. These silver-sided fighters with distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds around here, though we see some real monsters pushing 50+. They're structure fish - you'll find them around jetties, drop-offs, and rocky bottoms, especially where current moves baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, with the migration bringing fish through our waters from April to November. What makes stripers special? They fight hard, they're smart, and the meat is fantastic eating. Plus, watching a big bass blow up on topwater at dawn never gets old. Pro tip: when you're working live eels around structure at night, let that bait get right down in the rocks - that's where the big girls hide.
5.0 out of 5.0Rick was an awesome guide. Highly recommend, was super nice and kept hunting the fish for us.
Long Island, NY