Long Island Offshore Fishing for Big Game
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private offshore charter targeting marlin, bluefin tuna, and mahi mahiNinehour guided trip with Captain John Raguso from Long IslandAll tackle and gear included for groups up to three anglers
Captain John Raguso knows these Long Island waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking about heading way out where the big boys live. Marlin, bluefin tuna, mahi mahi, and yellowfin are all on the menu when conditions are right. Whether you're bringing the family or looking for a hardcore fishing adventure with your buddies, this charter accommodates up to three adults or two adults with two kids. Don't worry if you've never tangled with pelagic species before – Captain John will walk you through everything and make sure you're ready when that rod starts screaming.
You'll be spending your day on a well-equipped boat designed for offshore work, which means you can focus on fishing while the captain handles finding the fish. We're talking about a 9-hour commitment here, so pack your patience and get ready for some real fishing. The boat comes loaded with all the tackle you'll need – heavy conventional reels, wire leaders, circle hooks, and enough terminal tackle to handle whatever decides to bite. Captain John knows where to find the temperature breaks, weed lines, and structure that hold fish, so you won't waste time trolling empty water. The morning usually starts with setting up a spread of lures and baits, then it's all about reading the water and staying on the fish. Some days they're aggressive and bite everything you throw at them, other days you've got to work for every hookup – that's offshore fishing for you.
Out here, trolling is the name of the game. You'll be running a spread that typically includes cedar plugs, spreader bars, ballyhoo rigs, and maybe some large swimming plugs depending on what's been producing. The captain will adjust trolling speeds based on conditions and target species – usually anywhere from 6 to 12 knots. When targeting tuna, we'll often pull darker lures and natural baits, while mahi respond well to bright colors and flashy presentations. Marlin fishing means stepping up the tackle and running larger baits like horse ballyhoo or artificial lures that create a big commotion. The key is covering water until you find active fish, then working that area hard. Circle hooks are mandatory for most species to improve survival rates, and Captain John will show you the proper fighting techniques to land these powerful fish without wearing yourself out completely.
The waters off Long Island have been producing some incredible fish lately. Bluefin tuna have been the stars of the show, with fish ranging from school-size 30-pounders up to genuine giants over 200 pounds. These fish are incredibly strong and will test your endurance – there's nothing quite like the initial run of a big bluefin. Yellowfin tuna have also been cooperative, offering slightly different fight characteristics with their long, powerful runs and stubborn deep fights. The mahi mahi bite has been solid during the warmer months, and these fish are absolutely gorgeous with their bright colors and acrobatic jumps. White marlin encounters have been memorable for lucky anglers, with these billfish putting on spectacular aerial displays that'll have you shaking with adrenaline long after the fight ends.
Mahi mahi are probably the most fun fish you'll encounter out here, and they're usually cooperative from late spring through early fall. These fish love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, often traveling in schools that can provide non-stop action once you find them. They're incredibly beautiful with electric blue and gold colors that fade quickly after capture, so get your photos fast. Most mahi range from 10 to 30 pounds, though bigger bulls can push 50 pounds or more. They fight hard with lots of jumps and long runs, plus they're excellent eating if you decide to keep a few for the table.
Yellowfin tuna are the marathon runners of the offshore world, capable of incredibly long fights that will push your tackle and your endurance to the limit. These fish prefer warmer water and are typically found from late spring through fall in our area. They're built for speed and power, with a torpedo-shaped body that can reach impressive sizes – anything over 100 pounds is considered a trophy-class fish. The meat is premium grade, making them highly sought after by both sport and commercial fishermen. When hooked, yellowfin typically make several long runs before settling into a deep, stubborn fight that can last well over an hour.
White marlin are the holy grail for many offshore anglers, and Long Island waters see decent numbers during the summer months. These billfish are smaller than their blue marlin cousins, typically ranging from 40 to 80 pounds, but they more than make up for it with spectacular aerial displays and lightning-fast runs. They're catch-and-release only, so the thrill is purely in the experience of battling one of the ocean's most prized gamefish. Marlin are usually caught on larger baits like horse ballyhoo or big lures, and they often announce their presence by charging baits on the surface before striking.
Bluefin tuna are the kings of the offshore world, and the waters around Long Island host both smaller school fish and genuine giants. These fish are incredibly powerful and intelligent, making them one of the most challenging species to consistently catch. School bluefin in the 30 to 60-pound range provide great action and excellent eating, while the big breeders over 200 pounds offer fights that can last several hours. Bluefin prefer cooler water and can be found here from late spring through early winter, though late fall often produces the largest fish as they fatten up before heading south.
This kind of top-rated offshore fishing doesn't come around every day, and Captain John's calendar fills up fast during peak season. You
Meet the MarCeeJay, your gateway to Long Island's premier offshore fishing grounds. This well-equipped 23-foot motorboat cuts through the swells with confidence, taking you and two fellow anglers straight to where the big fish roam. Built for serious fishing, she's packed with everything you need - GPS to pinpoint productive waters, fish finder to locate schools below, and VHF radio keeping you connected. Captain John knows these waters like the back of his hand, steering you toward marlin, bluefin tuna, and mahi that cruise the deeper currents. The onboard multimedia keeps spirits high during transit, while the head ensures comfort on those long runs to the fishing zones. At 17 years on the water, this trusted vessel has seen countless hookups and boated fish that dreams are made of. Whether you're casting lines for the first time or you're a seasoned angler, the MarCeeJay delivers you to where the action happens.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail of tuna fishing - massive, powerful fish that can reach 500+ pounds in our waters. These blue-backed giants patrol depths from the surface down to 300+ feet, especially around structure and baitfish schools. Fall and winter are prime seasons when they migrate through our area chasing herring and mackerel. What makes them legendary? The fight is absolutely brutal - long runs that'll smoke your reel and deep dives that test your gear. The meat is world-class sashimi grade, worth serious money at the dock. We target them with heavy tackle using live bait or chunking. Local secret: when chunking, start your spread up-current and let the scent trail do the work. Once they show up, be ready for chaos - these fish don't mess around.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are gorgeous fish that'll put on a color show once you get them to the boat. These golden beauties with electric blue and green sides average 15-29 pounds, though we've seen some push 40+ pounds out here. They love hanging around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in the upper water column. Summer through early fall gives us our best shots when water temps climb above 70 degrees. What makes them special? They fight hard with long runs and acrobatic jumps, plus they're fantastic eating - mild, firm white meat that grills perfectly. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, don't boat it right away. Keep it in the water and work the area - mahi travel in schools, and that hooked fish will often call in its buddies for multiple hookups.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite marlin are the smaller cousins of blue marlin, but don't let that fool you - they're pure lightning on a line. These billfish average 50-80 pounds and love the deep blue water around canyon edges and temperature breaks. Late summer is our sweet spot when they move through following bait schools. What sets them apart is their aerial show - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a display that'll get your heart racing. Plus, they're considered great table fare compared to other billfish. We target them by trolling rigged ballyhoo or small lures in the spread. Key tip: don't set the hook immediately when one hits. Let it eat the bait for a few seconds, then come tight. These fish are smart and will drop a bait if they feel pressure too early.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are built for speed and power - think living torpedoes with bright yellow fins. Most of what we catch runs 40-80 pounds, but these fish can hit 200+ pounds and swim at 50 mph. They cruise the upper 300 feet of open water, often around temperature breaks and underwater structure. Late summer into fall is prime time when bait schools move through our area. Guests love them for the brutal fight - long screaming runs that'll test your endurance - and the meat is top-shelf sushi quality. We'll troll rigged ballyhoo or chunk with live bait to get them up from the depths. Pro tip: when trolling, watch for bird activity and temperature changes on the fish finder. That's where you'll find the bait, and yellowfin won't be far behind.
Elwood, NY