Long Island 8 Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing aboard 25foot Parker center console boatTarget flounder, weakfish, and striped bass in Southampton watersAccommodates up to four guests with Saltwater Cowboy Fishing Charter
Picture this: you're standing on the deck of a rock-solid 25' Parker center console as the morning sun paints the waters around Southampton in gold. Captain and crew from Saltwater Cowboy Fishing Charter know these inshore waters like the back of their hand, and they're about to put you on some serious fish. This isn't your average half-day trip – we're talking eight full hours of prime fishing time targeting some of Long Island's most sought-after species. With room for just four anglers, you'll get the personalized attention that makes the difference between coming home with stories and coming home with dinner.
From the moment you step aboard, you'll notice this Parker is built for business. The center console layout gives everyone plenty of room to work, and when multiple fish hit at once (trust me, it happens), you won't be bumping elbows. We'll be working the productive inshore waters where the structure changes and the baitfish stack up. Think rocky bottoms, drop-offs, and those sweet spots where the current creates perfect ambush points for hungry predators. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is we can chase the bite – if the flounder are being finicky in the morning, we can shift gears and hunt stripers around structure, or work the deeper holes where tautog like to hang out. Your captain reads these waters daily and knows exactly where to put you when conditions change throughout the day.
Long Island inshore fishing is all about adapting your approach to what's working. We'll be running everything from light tackle setups for schoolie stripers to heavier bottom rigs when we're targeting black sea bass in 40 feet of water. Bucktails tipped with strips work magic on summer flounder, especially when you're working them just off the bottom with that subtle lift-and-drop action. For the tog, we're talking green crabs and pieces of clam on high-low rigs around the rocks. When the bluefish are blitzing bait on the surface, it's all hands on deck with topwater plugs and metal jigs. The key is staying mobile and reading the signs – bird activity, bait pods showing on the fishfinder, and those telltale current lines where the good stuff happens. Your tackle and bait are covered, but feel free to bring your lucky rod if it makes you feel better.
Tautog are the bulldogs of the inshore scene, and Long Island's rocky structure holds some bruisers. These fish average 2-4 pounds but the bigger ones will test your drag and your patience. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy before and after their summer spawn. What makes tog fishing so addictive is the technique – you need to feel that subtle tick when they pick up your bait, then set the hook before they spit it out. It's chess match fishing at its finest, and landing a doormat tog in 30 feet of water never gets old.
Summer flounder are the bread and butter of Long Island inshore fishing, and for good reason. These flatfish can stretch over 20 inches and provide some of the best table fare you'll find anywhere. Peak season runs May through September, with the bigger "doormat" fluke showing up in deeper water as summer progresses. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand waiting for baitfish, which is why that bouncing presentation with bucktails works so well. When you hook into a decent fluke, they'll give you that distinctive headshake that lets you know you've got something special on the other end.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Northeast fishing, and Long Island's inshore waters are striper central. These fish run from schoolies around 20 inches up to cow bass pushing 40 pounds or more. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but there's a solid resident population that provides consistent fishing all season. Stripers are smart and can be picky, but when you find them feeding, it's game on. They hit everything from live eels to topwater plugs, and a good striper on light tackle is pure poetry in motion.
Black sea bass might be smaller than the other target species, but don't let their size fool you – they're scrappy fighters and excellent eating. These bottom dwellers love structure and are usually found around rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom in 20-60 feet of water. Summer is prime time when they're most active, and they're notorious for hitting as soon as your rig touches bottom. Sea bass have attitude and will often chase lures aggressively, making them a blast on lighter tackle.
Bluefish are the ultimate opportunistic feeders and when they're around, you'll know it. These toothy predators travel in schools and can turn a quiet morning into pure chaos when they move through your area. Spring through fall brings the best bluefish action, with the smaller "snappers" inshore and bigger blues in the 5-10 pound range further out. They'll hit virtually anything you throw at them when they're feeding, but be ready for their razor-sharp teeth and that initial blistering run that separates the bluefish from everything else swimming in these waters.
Eight hours on the water with Saltwater Cowboy Fishing Charter isn't just a fishing trip – it's a masterclass in Long Island inshore fishing. You'll learn techniques that work in these specific waters, fish with quality tackle, and have the kind of day that reminds you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place. The 25' Parker gives you the perfect platform to fish comfortably all day, and with just four anglers maximum, everyone gets their shot at the good stuff. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fillets in the freezer or just want to spend a day doing what you love most, this trip delivers. These prime inshore spots don
This 25-foot Parker center console is built for serious inshore fishing around Long Island's productive waters. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish. You'll have a fish finder to locate schools of stripers, flounder, and weakfish, plus GPS and radar to navigate safely in changing conditions. An onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh, and there's a head for convenience during those long 8-hour days on the water. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the action while the captain works the boat to stay on the fish. Whether you're drifting for flounder or trolling for bass, this setup has everything needed for a productive day targeting Long Island's best inshore species around Southampton's diverse fishing grounds.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid bottom dwellers that stick close to structure like wrecks, rocks, and jetties in 30-120 feet of water. These guys average 1-3 pounds but can reach 5+ pounds, with the bigger males developing that distinctive hump on their heads during spawning season. They're most active from late spring through early fall when they move inshore. Guests enjoy them because they're steady biters, fight well for their size, and make excellent table fare - really sweet, flaky meat. They're also interesting because they actually change from female to male as they grow. My tip for consistent success: fish right on the bottom with squid or clam strips on a two-hook rig, and don't be afraid to work tight to structure. They won't venture far from their rocky homes, so get your bait right where they live.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in our waters from late spring through fall, typically running 3-10 pounds with some bigger ones mixed in. They travel in schools and feed with serious attitude, often creating feeding frenzies near the surface when chasing baitfish. You'll find them in open water, around structure, or right in the surf - they're not picky about where they hunt. What guests love is the non-stop action when blues are around, plus they fight hard and taste great when prepared fresh. The smaller "snappers" are perfect for kids to catch too. Here's a local tip: when you see birds diving and water churning, get there fast. Blues move quickly, so once you find them, work the area thoroughly with metal jigs or cut bait before they disappear.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of our local fishing, ranging from schoolie size up to 20-40 pounders that'll test your gear. These silver-sided fighters with distinctive black stripes love current and structure - you'll find them around jetties, drop-offs, and shallow flats depending on season and tide. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during their migration periods when massive schools move through. What keeps guests coming back is the combination of their powerful runs, the variety of sizes you'll encounter, and excellent eating quality. They're also smart fish that require different tactics. My local secret: focus on moving water at dawn and dusk, and don't overlook the shallow back bays where big fish often hunt. Live eels or bunker chunks work magic, but match your bait to what they're feeding on that day.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of our local waters - flatfish that change color to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches and 2-4 pounds, though we see some real doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud flats waiting for baitfish to swim by. Best fishing is late spring through early fall when they're in shallow bays and along sandy bottom in 10-40 feet. Guests love the challenge of detecting their subtle bites and the thrill when a big one peels drag. Plus, they're hard to beat on the dinner table. The trick is using a light sinker with live minnows or squid strips, and keeping your bait moving slowly along the bottom. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they grab prey sideways and need time to turn it.
Tautoga OnitisKnown as "blackfish" around here, tautog are chunky fighters that love hanging around rocky structure and wrecks. These 1-3 pound bruisers have strong jaws built for crushing crabs and mussels, which makes them pretty territorial about their rocky homes. You'll find them in 20-60 feet of water near jetties, boulder fields, and artificial reefs from late spring through fall. What makes guests love targeting them is the challenge - they're smart, structure-oriented fish that put up a solid fight once hooked. The meat is excellent too, firm and sweet when prepared right. My go-to tip: use green crabs for bait, crush up the shells and legs to create a scent trail, and change your bait every 5 minutes. They'll test your tackle against the rocks, so bring extra rigs.
Long Island