5.0(1 Reviews)World Class Morning Inshore Fishing with Captain Rick
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour guided inshore charter targeting striped bass and flukeAll fishing equipment, tackle, and bait provided by captainSmall group experience with maximum three guests aboard
Nothing beats the anticipation of lines in the water as the sun rises over Long Island's productive inshore grounds. Captain Rick Gulia knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during this action-packed 4-hour morning charter. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this top-rated experience delivers consistent results targeting striped bass, fluke, and whatever else is biting in Long Island's rich coastal waters. With all tackle provided and expert guidance every step of the way, you'll focus on what matters most – landing fish and making memories.
Your morning starts early when the fish are most active and the inshore waters are calm. Captain Rick runs a tight ship with space for up to 3 anglers, ensuring personalized attention and plenty of room to work. The beauty of inshore fishing around Long Island is the variety – one minute you're working structure for striped bass, the next you're drifting sandy bottoms for fluke. Rick's approach combines time-tested techniques with real-time adjustments based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are telling him. He provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, plus the kind of hands-on instruction that turns a good day into a great one. The intimate group size means more coaching, better positioning, and increased odds of everyone getting into fish. This isn't a cattle boat operation – it's fishing the way it should be done.
Captain Rick comes prepared with light tackle setups perfectly matched to Long Island's inshore fishery. Depending on conditions and target species, you might be working bucktails for fluke, throwing plugs for stripers, or bouncing jigs along rocky structure for blackfish. The beauty of light tackle is the fight – even modest-sized fish put up a battle that keeps things exciting. Rick reads the water constantly, adjusting depths, changing baits, and moving spots to stay on productive water. He's not afraid to chase fish when they're moving, and his local knowledge shows in the way he positions the boat for optimal presentations. Bait selection varies with conditions – live eels for trophy stripers, squid strips for fluke, or whatever's working that particular morning. The gear is maintained and ready, so you spend time fishing instead of rigging.
"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 inshore fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters can range from schoolie size up to serious cows pushing 40+ inches. Spring and fall offer the best action as stripers move through Long Island waters in impressive numbers. They're structure-oriented fish that love current breaks, rocky points, and drop-offs where baitfish concentrate. What makes stripers special is their intelligence – they require stealth, proper presentation, and often a change of tactics to consistently fool. When you hook a keeper striper on light tackle, you'll understand why anglers become obsessed with these fish.
Fluke, or summer flounder, provide steady action throughout the warmer months and are a customer favorite for their excellent table fare. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush prey. The key to consistent fluke fishing is covering water and varying your retrieve until you find what triggers strikes. Long Island's numerous sandy flats and channels provide ideal fluke habitat, and fish in the 3-8 pound range are common with larger doormat fluke always possible. Their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights make them fun on light tackle, plus they're hard to beat on the dinner table.
Sea bass might be smaller than their striped cousins, but they make up for size with attitude and numbers. These scrappy bottom dwellers love structure and aren't shy about hitting baits. Black sea bass season typically runs through fall, and they school heavily around wrecks, rocks, and artificial reefs. What anglers love about sea bass fishing is the consistency – when you find them, you usually find a lot of them. They're also excellent eating, making them a popular target for anglers looking to fill the cooler.
Spotted weakfish, also known as sea trout, offer light-tackle action that's hard to match. These silver speedsters prefer grass flats and shallow waters where they feed aggressively on small baitfish and shrimp. Weakfish are known for their delicate mouths and impressive runs, requiring careful handling and smooth drags. They're most active during moving tides and low-light conditions, making early morning trips perfect for targeting them. Their abundance around Long Island varies year to year, but when they're around, the action can be fantastic.
Bluefish bring raw power and aggression to Long Island waters, earning respect from anglers who appreciate their fighting ability. These toothy predators travel in schools and feed voraciously, creating some of the most exciting fishing Long Island has to offer. Blues hit hard, run fast, and aren't afraid of a fight. They're also excellent indicators of baitfish activity – where you find feeding blues, other species are usually close behind. Their seasonal movements through Long Island waters provide consistent opportunities from spring through fall, and their hard strikes on light tackle create memories that last long after the trip ends.
Captain Rick's morning inshore charters consistently deliver results because they combine local expertise with personalized service you won't find on larger boats. The 4-hour format hits the prime morning bite without eating up your entire day, and the small group size ensures everyone gets proper attention and coaching. With all tackle provided and a captain who truly cares about putting his clients on fish, this charter represents outstanding value for both novice and experienced anglers. Long Island's inshore waters are world-class, and there
Captain Rick's 23-foot center console is perfectly set up for targeting striped bass and fluke in Long Island's productive inshore waters. This 1995 fishing machine runs on a reliable 250 HP Suzuki that'll get you to the hot spots quickly, cruising at speeds up to 38 knots when conditions allow. The open center console layout gives you and up to 2 other anglers plenty of room to work the water without getting tangled up. What makes this boat ideal for Long Island fishing is the smart setup – there's a fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, GPS to mark productive spots and navigate safely, plus VHF radio for marine weather updates. The wireless trolling motor lets Captain Rick position quietly over fish without spooking them, crucial when working shallow flats for fluke or drifting bass structure. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 4-hour trip. Whether you're working live bait around rocky structure for striped bass or bouncing bucktails for fluke in the bay, this boat handles Long Island's varied inshore conditions with ease.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that travel in schools and put on some of the most exciting surface shows you'll see. They range from small "snappers" around 7 inches to choppers pushing 15-20 pounds. Blues patrol open water, surf zones, and anywhere baitfish congregate - they're not picky about structure. Summer brings peak action, especially when they're chasing bunker schools near the surface. What makes them special is their raw aggression - they'll hit anything that moves and fight hard all the way to the boat. Fresh blues are great eating too, though the smaller ones taste better. When you find a blitz, work fast with metal spoons or poppers. Blues have razor-sharp teeth, so use a wire leader and watch your fingers when unhooking them.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, aggressive fish that make up for their smaller size with attitude. Most run around a foot long and weigh close to a pound, though we catch some pushing 3-4 pounds on the deeper wrecks. They live on hard bottom - around jetties, reefs, and shipwrecks where they can ambush crabs and small fish. Late spring through early fall is when they're most active in our waters. Anglers love them because they hit hard, fight surprisingly well for their size, and they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, firm white meat. Here's what I tell first-timers: drop your rig to the bottom and keep it moving. Sea bass are curious and territorial, so a jig bouncing near their hideout will usually trigger a strike.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of camouflage - flat, oval-shaped fish that bury themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on one side of their head. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some doormat-sized ones over 5 pounds during peak season. They hang out on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow bays, around creek mouths, and near structure where they can ambush prey. Fall is prime time as they fatten up before heading offshore for winter. Anglers enjoy the challenge of finding them and the reward of some of the finest eating fish in the ocean. The trick is to fish slow and low - use a bucktail or live bait and drag it right along the bottom. When a flounder grabs your bait, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and swim away first, then reel down tight.
Cynoscion NebulosusSpotted weakfish, or "specks," are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots that make them easy to identify. They average 12-16 inches but can push over 3 feet when you find the right school. These fish prefer shallow grass flats, sandy bottoms, and bay areas where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Warm months bring the best fishing as they move into our bays to feed and spawn. What draws anglers is their willingness to hit lures and their delicate fighting style - plus they're excellent on the dinner table. The key with weakfish is their soft mouths, so I always tell guests to keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Once you hook up, maintain tension and let the fish tire itself out rather than trying to muscle it to the boat.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Long Island fishing. These silver-sided bruisers with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds around here, though we see bigger ones during the fall migration. They love structure - jetties, drop-offs, and rocky bottom where they hunt baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, but the best action happens at dawn and dusk when they move into shallow water to feed. What makes them special is the fight - they're strong swimmers that'll test your drag, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: when fishing around structure, let your bait drift naturally with the current rather than fighting it. Stripers are smart and spook easily if something looks unnatural.
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