Long Island, NY 6 Hour Inshore Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour inshore fishing charter off Southampton watersTargets multiple prized species with rodbending actionAccommodates up to 4 guests with experienced local guides
Looking to get serious about your Long Island fishing game? This 6-hour inshore charter with Saltwater Cowboy Fishing Charter gives you the perfect amount of time to really dial in on the hot bite without feeling rushed. We're talking about quality fishing time in some of the most productive waters off Southampton, where the action stays consistent and the fish are always willing to play. With just 4 anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be bumping elbows when the bite heats up. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to move around to find where the fish are stacked up that day.
Your day starts early at the Southampton marina, where you'll meet up with the crew and get the lowdown on what's been biting lately. The boat's rigged and ready with all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for the smaller stuff to heavier conventional setups when we're targeting bigger fish. We'll cruise out to the prime inshore spots - could be around structure, over sandy bottom, or working the edges where the current breaks. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is we've got time to hit multiple spots and really figure out what the fish want. Some days they're crushing bucktails, other times they want live bait or chunks. The crew will keep switching it up until we find the magic combination that gets them fired up.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and adapting to what Mother Nature throws at you. We'll be working depths anywhere from 15 to 80 feet, depending on the species we're targeting and what the fish finder is showing us. For the fluke, we're typically drifting with bucktails tipped with squid or killies, keeping that bait dancing just off the bottom. When the sea bass are schooled up on structure, we'll anchor up and drop down high-low rigs with clam or squid. Tautog fishing means switching to green crab and really working those rocky areas where they like to hide. The boat's equipped with Penn and Shimano reels, and we've got everything from 20-pound test for the bigger fish down to lighter tackle when the bite calls for finesse. Don't worry if you're new to this - the crew will show you exactly how to work each setup.
Summer Flounder are the bread and butter of our Long Island inshore scene, and for good reason. These flatfish are pure eating quality and put up a solid fight when they're over that keeper size of 19 inches. They love sandy bottom areas where they can bury up and ambush baitfish swimming overhead. Peak season runs from May through September, but the real doormat-sized fish show up in late summer when they're fattening up for their offshore migration. What makes fluke fishing so addictive is you never know when you're going to hook into a 5 or 6-pounder that'll test your drag and make your arms burn.
Tautog are the bulldogs of the inshore game - pound for pound, these fish will give you a workout like nothing else. They hang around rocky structure and wrecks, using those powerful jaws to crush crabs and mussels. Fall is prime time for tog fishing, especially October and November when they're feeding heavy before winter. A keeper tog around here is 16 inches, but when you hook into a 20-inch fish, you'll know it immediately. They dive straight for the rocks and try to cut you off, so it's a real chess match between angler and fish. The meat is sweet and firm - some say it's the best eating fish in these waters.
Bluefish bring the chaos and excitement that keeps anglers coming back for more. These voracious predators travel in schools and when they're feeding, it's an absolute free-for-all. You'll see birds diving, bait jumping out of the water, and that unmistakable slick on the surface. Blues hit hard and fast, and they'll take just about anything you throw at them when they're in feeding mode. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall migrations bring the biggest concentrations. A good bluefish in the 5 to 8-pound range will peel drag and give you that classic bulldogging fight that makes your rod tip dance.
Black Sea Bass are the perfect combination of fun to catch and great on the dinner table. They're structure-oriented fish, so we'll be working around wrecks, rocky bottom, and artificial reefs where they congregate in good numbers. These fish are curious and aggressive, often hitting the bait as soon as it gets to the bottom. The season typically runs from May through December, with summer and early fall producing the best action. A keeper is 15 inches, but the 3 to 5-pounders are common and provide steady action throughout the day. They're also one of the most reliable species - when we mark them on the fish finder, you know you're going to get bit.
Six hours on the water with Saltwater Cowboy Fishing Charter gives you the real Long Island inshore experience without any shortcuts. You're getting access to prime fishing grounds, top-quality gear, and a crew that knows how to put you on fish when they're biting. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with dinner or just want to feel that rod bend with some serious fish on the other end, this trip delivers the goods. The 4-person limit means you'll get personalized attention and won't be fighting crowds when the action heats up. Book your spot now and get ready to see why Southampton's inshore waters have earned their reputation as some of the most productive fishing grounds on the East Coast.
Hit the productive waters off Southampton aboard our well-equipped motorboat, built for serious inshore fishing action. This reliable vessel comes loaded with everything you need to locate and land your target species - GPS navigation keeps you on course, fish finder technology spots the schools below, and radar ensures safe passage even when visibility drops. The onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh while you're chasing that next bite. With comfortable seating for up to 4 anglers and a head for convenience during those longer battles, you'll have plenty of room to work the rods without crowding each other. The boat's stable platform gives you the advantage when fighting stronger fish, while the electronics help you stay on productive structure and drop-offs where the action heats up. Perfect for targeting the variety of species that call these Long Island waters home.
Centropristis StriataSea bass are scrappy little fighters that hang around hard bottom, wrecks, and structure throughout our area. Most run 1-4 pounds, but the chunky males can push 8 pounds and develop that distinctive hump on their heads during spawning season. They're bottom huggers in 20-120 feet of water and absolutely love rocky areas and artificial reefs. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. Guests enjoy them because they fight hard for their size and are some of the best eating fish we catch - firm, white, flaky meat. They're also pretty reliable once you find them. The trick with sea bass is getting your bait right to the bottom where they live. I like a simple high-low rig with squid strips or clam. Drop it down, lift it a foot off bottom, then work it up and down slowly. That movement triggers their feeding response.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the piranhas of Long Island waters - aggressive feeders that attack in schools and put up a spirited fight. They typically run 2-10 pounds, with the larger "choppers" showing serious attitude. You'll find them cruising our inshore waters from late spring through early fall, often working baitfish schools near the surface or around structure. What makes blues special is their raw aggression - when they're feeding, they'll hit almost anything you throw at them. They're also great on the table when bled properly and eaten fresh. Watch for diving birds - that's usually a dead giveaway that blues are pushing bait to the surface. When targeting them, use wire leaders because those razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. Fresh chunks of oily fish like mackerel or bunker work best, but they'll also crush spoons and poppers.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke" as we call them locally, are masters of disguise that lay flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, but the bigger "doormat" females can hit 26 pounds and make for great table fare. They're scattered across our inshore waters from spring through fall, especially around sandy patches near structure. September through November is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes fluke fishing fun is the sneaky bite - they'll often just hold your bait without much fight until you set the hook. Here's a local trick: when you feel that telltale tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. Fluke bite sideways and need time to turn the bait around to swallow it properly.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of our local waters - thick, stubborn fighters that live around hard structure like wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom. Most run 1-3 pounds, but we see plenty of 5-8 pounders that'll test your tackle. They're year-round residents but fish best in spring and fall when water temps are moderate. What guests love about tog fishing is the solid thump when they bite and the bulldogging fight that follows. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. The challenge is fishing tight to structure without getting snagged. My go-to setup is green crabs on a circle hook with just enough weight to hold bottom. Pro tip: crush up some crab shells and drop them around your fishing spot first - the scent gets them fired up and competing for your bait. Change baits every few minutes to keep that fresh scent in the water.
Long Island