Long Island Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing aboard 25-foot Parker center console boatTarget flounder, weakfish, and striped bass in Southampton watersSmall group experience accommodates maximum four guests per trip
Picture this: you're standing on the deck of a well-rigged 25-foot Parker center console, watching the sun rise over Southampton's waters while you prep your tackle for what's about to be one heck of a fishing day. This 8-hour inshore charter with Saltwater Cowboy Fishing Charter puts you right in the sweet spots where Long Island's most sought-after species hang out. We're talking prime waters where the stripers cruise, flounder lay flat against sandy bottoms, and feisty tautog hide in rocky structure. With room for up to 4 anglers, this isn't some cattle-boat experience – it's a personalized day on the water where every cast counts.
Captain and crew know these Southampton waters like the back of their hands, and they'll put you on fish from the moment you leave the dock. The Parker center console is built for this kind of fishing – stable enough to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at you, yet nimble enough to chase birds and bait when the action heats up. You'll spend your day working different structures and depth changes where these fish love to feed. Morning might find you drifting over fluke grounds with the tide, while afternoon could have you anchored up on a wreck or reef targeting sea bass and tautog. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to really work different spots and techniques without feeling rushed. When one bite dies down, you're moving to the next honey hole.
This charter runs the gamut of inshore techniques that make Long Island fishing so productive. You'll be rigging everything from high-low rigs with clams and squid for bottom fish to throwing bucktails and soft plastics for stripers cruising the shallows. The boat comes equipped with quality rods and reels, but seasoned anglers often bring their own favorite setups. Expect to work with 15-30 pound tackle depending on what you're targeting – light enough to feel every head shake from a fluke, but with enough backbone to turn a keeper striper away from structure. Live bait plays huge here too, especially when the bunker schools show up and the bass go absolutely nuts underneath them. The crew knows when to switch from bottom fishing to casting into breaking fish, and that adaptability is what separates a good day from an epic one.
Summer Flounder are the bread and butter of Long Island inshore fishing, and Southampton's waters hold some genuine doormat fluke that'll make your arms ache. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to cruise overhead. The best fishing typically runs from May through October, with summer months producing the biggest fish. What makes fluke so addictive is that you never know when you're going to hook into a 5-pounder that fights like it's twice that size. They hit hard, make screaming runs, and always seem to find a way to throw the hook right at the boat if you're not careful with your drag.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of the Northeast, and Long Island's inshore waters see incredible runs of these silver-sided bruisers. Spring and fall migrations bring schools of bass ranging from schoolies to true cows pushing 40+ pounds. What gets anglers fired up about stripers is their versatility – they'll crush topwater plugs at dawn, slam soft plastics around structure, and absolutely demolish live bunker when they're feeding aggressively. The fight is legendary too, with powerful runs and head-shaking jumps that'll test your tackle and your nerves.
Tautog might not win any beauty contests, but these bull-dog fish are pure muscle wrapped in olive-green skin. Also called blackfish, they're structure-oriented fighters that live around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom. Fall and early winter offer peak tautog action when they're feeding heavily before winter. These fish have serious pulling power for their size, and they'll try to wrap your line around every piece of structure they can find. Landing a 5-pound tog is like arm-wrestling with a small truck.
Black Sea Bass are scrappy little fighters that school up around structure and provide non-stop action when you find them. These guys are aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from clams to jigs, and they're excellent table fare. Summer months see them in shallower water where they're perfect targets for this kind of inshore charter. Don't let their size fool you – a good sea bass will bend your rod and make multiple runs before coming to the net.
Bluefish earn their nickname "choppers" for good reason – they're aggressive predators with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. When bluefish are feeding, they turn the water into a washing machine of activity, slashing through bait schools and hitting anything that moves. They're fantastic on light tackle, making blistering runs and aerial displays that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Summer brings excellent bluefish action to Long Island's inshore waters, and they're a blast on everything from topwater to bottom rigs.
An 8-hour charter gives you real time to explore what Southampton's waters have to offer, and Saltwater Cowboy Fishing Charter has the local knowledge to make it happen. This isn't about getting you back to the dock as fast as possible – it's about putting you on fish and making sure you have stories to tell for years to come. The Parker center console gives you the perfect platform for this kind of fishing, and the crew's experience in these waters means you're fishing, not just riding around hoping to get lucky. With space for just 4 anglers, you get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. These fish are out there waiting, and this charter puts you in the right place at the right time to connect with them.
Your 25-foot Parker center console is built for serious inshore fishing around Southampton's productive waters. This sturdy motorboat handles the local currents with ease while you target flounder, weakfish, and striped bass in the area's prime fishing spots. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS navigation keeps you on the most productive grounds. Radar ensures safe passage even when visibility drops. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard ice box throughout your 8-hour adventure. The boat comfortably accommodates up to 4 anglers with a toilet for convenience during those long days on the water. Perfect for exploring Long Island's diverse inshore fishery where the action stays steady and the lines stay tight.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid fighters that hang around structure year-round, typically weighing 1-4 pounds with some reaching 6-8. These bottom dwellers love wrecks, rocky areas, and artificial reefs in 20-80 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy. They're excellent eating - firm, sweet meat that rivals any fish in our waters. What makes them interesting is they're all born female and change to male as they grow, with the big males developing that distinctive hump on their heads. You'll find them tight to structure, so bring plenty of tackle since you'll lose some rigs to the bottom. My tip: use a fish finder rig with squid or clam, but keep your bait moving slightly. Dead-sticking won't cut it - these fish want to see some action.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive feeders that show up here from late spring through fall, typically running 2-10 pounds with some bigger fish mixed in. These toothy predators hunt in schools and aren't shy about hitting lures or bait hard. You'll find them anywhere from the surf to 40 feet deep, often chasing bait near structure or open water. They're known for their "blitz" feeding where they'll tear through schools of baitfish like a washing machine. Great table fare when fresh, with firm white meat that's perfect grilled. The bite can be hot and cold - when they're on, you'll boat fish after fish. When targeting blues, use a wire leader since their teeth will slice through mono instantly. Also, watch your fingers when unhooking - these guys will bite anything that moves, even out of the water.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing - powerful, smart, and built for long runs. Most fish we see run 20-40 pounds, but 50+ pounders cruise these waters too. They're structure-oriented, hanging around jetties, bridges, and drop-offs while following baitfish schools. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. These fish are strong fighters that'll test your drag and make multiple runs. The meat is excellent - firm and sweet when prepared fresh. They're picky eaters though, often keying in on specific baits. You'll find them from the surf out to 60 feet, usually where there's moving water and structure nearby. My go-to tip: match your bait to what they're feeding on. If bunker are around, use bunker chunks. When they're on sand eels, throw small lures that mimic them.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of our waters - these flatfish can change color to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds make for great photos and even better dinners. They're ambush predators that bury in sand waiting for baitfish to swim by. You'll find them on sandy bottom, around structure edges, and inlet mouths in 10-40 feet during summer months. Peak season runs May through September when they're inshore feeding. The meat is fantastic - mild, white, and flaky. These fish bite sideways since both eyes are on one side of their head, so you need to give them time to turn the bait. Best technique is drifting with a bucktail and squid strip, keeping it just off bottom. Here's the secret: add a few beads or spinner blade above your jig for flash and vibration.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, or blackfish, are chunky fighters that love rocky structure and wrecks around Long Island. These guys typically run 1-3 pounds but can hit 10+ if you're lucky. They've got powerful jaws built for crushing crabs and mussels, so they put up a solid scrap once hooked. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they move inshore to feed. You'll find them around jetties, boulder fields, and any hard bottom structure in 10-60 feet of water. They're territorial and can be finicky biters, but fresh green crab works magic. Here's the key - crush up some crab shells and let the pieces drift down to create a chum slick. That scent drives them crazy and gets them feeding aggressively. Watch your line closely though, these fish have a subtle bite and will steal your bait quick.
Long Island