Long Island 12 Hour Offshore Cowboy Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore charter targeting tuna, mahi mahi, and sea bassMaximum 3 guests for personalized deepsea fishing experienceProfessional crew navigates Long Island's premier offshore waters
Ready to head out to the deep blue and chase some serious fish? This 12-hour offshore adventure with Saltwater Cowboy Fishing Charter takes you way beyond the sight of land, where the water runs deep and the fish get big. We're talking about a full day on the water targeting some of Long Island's most prized species - from monster tuna to tasty black sea bass. With just 3 anglers max, you'll get plenty of room to fish and personalized attention from your captain. Pack your patience and get ready to test your tackle against whatever the Atlantic throws at us.
This isn't your typical half-day inshore trip - we're making a serious run to the productive offshore grounds where the big boys live. You'll be hitting deep water structure, underwater canyons, and open ocean where schools of baitfish draw in the predators. The smaller group size means everyone gets prime fishing spots along the rail, and you won't be fighting for space when that double-header hits. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on the fish based on current conditions, bait movements, and seasonal patterns. Expect to cover some serious ground as we chase birds, look for temperature breaks, and work the structure that holds fish. The 12-hour format gives us time to really dial in the bite and make multiple moves if needed.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what's biting. Trolling spreads with ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs work great for tuna and mahi when they're scattered. When we find structure holding bass and tautog, we'll anchor up and drop bottom rigs with fresh bait. The boat's rigged with quality tackle that can handle everything from 2-pound scup to 200-pound tuna, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. Circle hooks and fresh bait are key for the bottom species, while the pelagics often prefer fast-moving lures that mimic fleeing baitfish. Your captain will adjust tactics throughout the day as conditions change - that's the beauty of having 12 hours to work with.
Black sea bass are the bread and butter of Long Island offshore fishing, and these chunky fighters love the rocky bottom and wrecks we'll be hitting. They're aggressive feeders that'll slam a fresh clam or squid strip, and they fight way above their weight class. Most run 2-5 pounds, but the jumbo bass pushing 8+ pounds are out there if you're patient. Tautog, or "blackfish" as the locals call them, are another bottom dweller that's worth the fight. These fish have serious attitude and will test your drag with their bulldogging runs back to structure. They're not the prettiest fish, but they're excellent table fare.
The real excitement comes when we connect with pelagics like yellowfin and bluefin tuna. Yellowfins are pure muscle - they'll make screaming runs and test every knot in your tackle. These fish can show up anywhere from 20 to 200+ pounds, and even the smaller school fish will give you a workout. Bluefin tuna are the holy grail of Northeast fishing. When one of these giants decides to eat, you better hang on tight. They're incredibly strong and surprisingly smart, often making long runs before you even know what hit you.
Mahi mahi bring the color and acrobatics to offshore fishing. These beautiful fish love to jump and put on a show, and they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean. They often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Scup might seem like small potatoes compared to the other species, but they're fun to catch and excellent in the cooler. These silvery fighters are abundant and aggressive, making them perfect for keeping the action going between bigger fish.
This top-rated 12-hour offshore trip gives you the full Long Island fishing experience without the crowds. With Saltwater Cowboy's local knowledge and commitment to putting you on fish, you're getting one of the best offshore charters available. The combination of target species, fishing techniques, and prime fishing grounds makes this a customer favorite for serious anglers. Whether you're after a cooler full of dinner or that trophy fish photo, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait around - the best fishing days book up fast, and you don't want to miss your shot at some world-class offshore action.
Get ready to chase trophy fish aboard our well-equipped offshore fishing machine! This motorboat is built for serious anglers heading into Long Island's deep waters where the big ones live. With GPS and radar keeping you on course, plus a fish finder to locate schools of Black Sea Bass, Tuna, Tautog, and Mahi Mahi, you'll spend more time fighting fish than searching for them. The onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh during those long 12-hour runs, while the toilet means no cutting trips short. Perfect for a crew of three who want to test their skills against the ocean's strongest fighters. This boat handles the offshore swells like a champ, getting you out to the productive waters where monster fish roam. Come prepared to work those rods hard – these deep-water species don't give up easy!
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid, reliable fish that make up the backbone of our offshore bottom fishing. They typically run 1-4 pounds, though bigger males can hit 8+ pounds and develop that distinctive hump on their heads. You'll find them around wrecks, rocky structure, and hard bottom in 30-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. What makes sea bass great is their willingness to bite and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They'll fight well until they hit the surface, then usually give up. Best approach is a simple two-hook bottom rig with squid strips or clams. Pro tip: once you catch one, work that spot thoroughly. They school up on structure, so you can often load the boat in one good spot.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the kings of our offshore waters - these giants can push 200-600 pounds and fight like nothing else swims. They roam from the surface to deep water, following schools of herring and mackerel. Spring through fall brings the best chances, especially during cooler water periods. What sets bluefin apart is their incredible strength and stamina - they'll take you on hour-long battles with screaming runs and deep dives. The meat is prized worldwide, especially for sushi. Fair warning though - these fish require heavy tackle and federal permits. My advice: when you hook up, settle in for a war. Keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Let the fish tire itself out, and always have your paperwork ready since they're strictly regulated.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are some of the most colorful fish you'll see on our offshore runs. Most mahi we catch run 15-30 pounds, though they can get much bigger. They love hanging around floating debris and weed lines in the upper water column, usually within the first 100 feet down. Summer through early fall gives us the best action when water temps are warm. What makes mahi special is their spectacular fight - they jump, run, and put on a real show. Plus, they're absolutely delicious eating with that firm white meat. Here's a tip: when you hook one, keep other lines in the water. Mahi often travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more waiting for their turn.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as the old-timers call them, are solid little fighters that run 1-4 pounds on average. They hang around rocky bottoms, wrecks, and structure where they can crush shellfish with those powerful jaws. Best fishing happens May through October when they move inshore - they head south and deep when it gets cold. While they're not the biggest fish out there, scup are fantastic table fare and great for kids to catch since they bite readily. They're also prime bait for bigger species like stripers. My go-to setup is a simple bottom rig with squid or clam, but here's the trick: once you find them, work that spot hard. They school up tight on structure and you can fill the cooler fast.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, also called blackfish, are tough customers that live around rocks, wrecks, and hard structure. Most run 2-8 pounds with thick, muscular bodies built for crushing shellfish. They're homebodies that stick tight to their rocky lairs, especially active during spring and fall. What makes tog fishing special is the challenge - they're smart, structure-oriented fish that require skill to catch. The meat is excellent, firm and sweet. They feed during daylight hours and barely move at night. Green crabs work best for bait - crush up the shells and legs for chum, then fish the meat on a strong hook. Here's my key tip: fish right in the rocks where you think you'll get stuck. That's where the big ones live, and heavy tackle with a sensitive tip will help you feel those subtle bites.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of the tuna family out here - powerful, fast, and built like torpedoes. Most of our fish run 40-100 pounds, though bigger ones definitely swim these waters. They cruise the open ocean from surface down to a few hundred feet, following bait schools and temperature breaks. Summer and fall are prime time when they push up from the south. What makes yellowfin special is their raw power and stamina - they'll test your tackle and your back. Plus, the meat is outstanding for sushi or steaks. The key is covering water with a good trolling spread using ballyhoo or cedar plugs, but when you mark fish deep and nothing's biting topside, drop some jigs down. They can't resist a well-worked metal jig.
Long Island