Connecticut Inshore Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour inshore fishing trips targeting striped bass and bluesThree daily departure times accommodate different schedule preferencesSixperson capacity boats provide personalized fishing experience
Captain and crew at Osprey Sportfishing Charters know Connecticut's inshore waters like the back of their hand. These 5-hour half-day trips give you plenty of time to get into some serious fish without burning a whole day. With three departure times - early bird 4:30 AM, mid-morning 10:00 AM, or noon start - there's a window that fits your schedule. We keep groups small at 6 anglers max, so you're not fighting for rail space or waiting forever for your turn at the hot spots.
Connecticut's inshore fishing scene is all about variety and action. Most folks come looking for stripers, and for good reason - these waters hold some of the best striper fishing on the East Coast. But don't sleep on the mixed bag approach either. Combining stripers with blues makes for non-stop action, especially when the baitfish are thick. If you're more of a fluke specialist, we'll put you on the bottom structure where these flatfish hang out. The beauty of a 5-hour trip is having enough time to work different spots and techniques until we find what's biting. Connecticut's coastline offers everything from rocky points and drop-offs to sandy flats and eelgrass beds, giving us options no matter what conditions we're dealing with.
Inshore fishing here means staying versatile. For stripers, we're usually working live bait around structure - think eels, bunker, or whatever baitfish are around. When they're feeding up top, we'll switch to topwater plugs or metal that gets their attention fast. Blue fishing is pure aggression - heavy jigs, wire leaders, and hold on tight when they hit. Fluke fishing is a different game entirely, requiring patience and feel. We're drifting with bucktails tipped with gulp or live killies, working the bottom where these flatfish ambush their meals. The gear is provided, but if you've got your own setup, bring medium to heavy action rods that can handle 20-40 pound fish without giving up the fight feel. Circle hooks are standard for live bait work, and we always carry a variety of weights to match the current and depth we're fishing.
Striped Bass: The bread and butter of Connecticut inshore fishing, stripers here run from schoolie size up to legitimate cows pushing 40+ pounds. Spring and fall are peak times when these fish are feeding heavily during their migrations. What makes striper fishing so addictive is their fight - they'll make long runs, jump, and use every bit of structure to try breaking you off. The bigger fish are usually loners or in small groups, while the smaller ones school up tight. You'll find them around rocky areas, bridge pilings, and anywhere the current creates an ambush point.
Bluefish: Blues are the perfect complement to striper fishing because they're pure aggression. These fish hit hard, fight dirty, and never give up until they're in the boat. Summer months bring the best blue fishing when water temps climb and baitfish are everywhere. They travel in schools and when you find them, it's game on. Watch for diving birds - that's your cue that blues are chopping up baitfish below. Their razor-sharp teeth mean wire leaders are non-negotiable, but the trade-off is explosive strikes that'll test your drag system.
Summer Flounder (Fluke): Fluke fishing requires a completely different mindset from the other species. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for prey to swim by. The bite is often subtle - just a tap or weight that feels different. Connecticut's fluke fishing peaks in summer when these fish move inshore to feed. Doormat fluke over 5 pounds are the holy grail, and Connecticut waters produce them regularly. The key is covering water and staying in contact with the bottom where these flatfish live.
Tautog: Blackfish are the ultimate structure fish, hugging rocks, wrecks, and jetties where they feed on crabs and shellfish. Fall is prime time for tog fishing when they're feeding heavily before winter. These fish are incredibly strong for their size and will wrap you up in structure faster than you can blink. Green crabs and Asian crabs are the go-to baits, fished tight to whatever rocks or structure you're working. A good tog bite means steady action with fish that are excellent table fare.
Yellowfin Tuna: While not as common inshore, yellowfin do make appearances when conditions are right. These are legitimate game fish that can show up when water temps climb and baitfish push closer to shore. When yellowfin are around, it's usually a sight fishing game - watching for birds, bait, and surface activity. The fight is legendary, with long runs and incredible speed that'll test every knot and connection in your setup.
Connecticut inshore fishing with Osprey Sportfishing Charters delivers consistent action with professional guidance. The 5-hour format gives you enough time to work multiple spots and species without the commitment of a full day trip. Whether you're targeting stripers specifically or want to mix it up with blues and fluke, these waters produce year-round. The small group size means personalized attention and better fishing for everyone aboard. Don't wait for the perfect conditions - some of the best fishing happens when you least expect it. Book your trip today and see why Connecticut's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back season after season.
The Osprey is a solid 38-foot custom Harris that'll get you where the fish are biting. This diesel-powered workhorse runs on a dependable Cummins engine and features a spacious, heated cabin that stays clean and comfortable even when the Connecticut waters get choppy. The boat's fish finder will help you locate schools of stripers and blues, while the GPS keeps you on course to the best fishing spots. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long 5-hour trips. Whether you're after striped bass at dawn or fluke fishing in the afternoon, this well-maintained vessel handles Connecticut's inshore waters with ease. The roomy deck gives all six anglers plenty of space to work their lines without getting tangled up with your fishing buddies.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are Connecticut's ultimate aggressive predator, running 3-15 pounds with razor teeth and an attitude to match. They patrol open water and surf zones, often creating feeding frenzies that churn the surface white. Peak action runs late spring through fall, especially during their migration pushes. Guests love the explosive strikes and hard fights - plus they're excellent eating when bled and iced properly. We find them trolling, casting plugs, or following bird activity where they're busting baitfish. Watch your fingers - these guys bite hard even in the boat. Best tip: when you see birds diving, get there fast. Those feeding schools don't stay put long.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are Connecticut's premier gamefish, ranging from schoolie size up to 40+ pound cows. These silver-sided fighters love structure - rocks, jetties, drop-offs - and moving water where baitfish get pushed around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most? The versatility - they hit everything from live eels to topwater plugs, plus they're fantastic eating within slot limits. We fish dawn and dusk when they're most active, focusing on rips and tide lines. My best tip: match your bait to what they're feeding on. When bunker schools are around, nothing beats a fresh chunk of pogy.
Paralichthys DentatusFluke are Connecticut's favorite flatfish, typically running 15-20 inches but capable of reaching doormat size over 5 pounds. They bury in sand and mud bottoms from 10-80 feet, waiting to ambush passing baitfish. Best fishing runs May through October, with fall producing the biggest fish. What makes them special? They're excellent table fare and provide steady action for families. We drift sandy bottoms with live killifish, squid, or spearing on circle hooks. The key is keeping your bait moving - a slow drag along bottom triggers strikes. Pro tip: when you feel that distinctive "tap-tap," count to three before setting the hook. They grab prey sideways first, then turn to swallow it.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of rocky structure - thick, stubborn fighters that average 1-3 pounds but can push 10+ in our waters. They live around jetties, wrecks, and boulder fields, using those crusher teeth to munch crabs and mussels all day. Fall and spring are prime time when they're most active before winter. What guests love? The steady tug-of-war fight and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. We fish tight to structure with green crabs, switching baits every few minutes since they lose effectiveness fast. My go-to tip: crush some crab shells and let the pieces drift down as chum - gets them fired up and competing for your hook.
Thunnus AlbacaresThese impressive fish can hit 50 mph and reach 60+ pounds around Connecticut waters in summer. Yellowfin are warm-blooded speedsters that cruise the upper 100 feet offshore, following baitfish schools. We typically find them from June through September when the water warms up. What makes them special? That fight is legendary - they'll peel drag like nothing else, plus the meat is restaurant-quality sashimi grade. We run multiple techniques: trolling rigged ballyhoo and cedar plugs, then switch to jigging when we mark fish deep. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but let the fish run initially - trying to horse them in early usually means a pulled hook.
Hartford