Premium Half Day Morning Saltwater Charter Experience
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday charter targets fluke, sea bass, and stripers inshoreFlexible timing based on tides and weather conditionsAccommodates up to four anglers with customizable fishing approach
Get ready to hit the productive waters around New London for a half-day morning fishing adventure that puts you right in the heart of Long Island Sound's best fishing grounds. Captain and crew at Set The Hook CT LLC know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll get you on fish whether you're after keeper fluke, chunky sea bass, or those prized stripers that cruise these Connecticut waters. This isn't your typical cookie-cutter charter – every trip gets customized based on what's biting, where the fish are holding, and what you want to target. With space for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to fish without bumping elbows, plus the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Your morning starts early when the fish are most active and the water's still calm from the overnight hours. The captain reads conditions like tide, wind, and recent fish reports to determine the game plan – maybe that's drifting for fluke over sandy bottom, anchoring up on structure for sea bass and porgies, or running to the rocks where stripers ambush baitfish. New London's location gives you access to diverse fishing spots within a short boat ride, from the Thames River mouth where freshwater mixing creates feeding opportunities, to the deeper channels and ledges where bigger fish patrol. The flexible approach means if one spot isn't producing, you're moving to the next honey hole instead of sitting on dead water. Morning trips typically run cooler and less windy, making for comfortable fishing conditions and better fish activity before the afternoon sun pushes them deeper.
The beauty of fishing New London waters lies in the variety of techniques you'll use depending on target species and conditions. Light tackle fishing dominates when chasing stripers around structure – live eels, soft plastics, and topwater plugs create exciting surface strikes and hard fights on lighter gear. Bottom fishing becomes the go-to method for fluke, sea bass, and porgies, using traditional high-low rigs with strips of squid, spearing, or sea worms to tempt fish holding near the bottom. The captain provides all necessary tackle and knows exactly what's working each day – maybe it's chartreuse Gulp baits for fluke, or fresh clams for sea bass. Drift fishing lets you cover ground when searching for fluke over expansive flats, while anchoring puts baits right in front of structure-oriented species. Night fishing techniques come into play during evening trips when big stripers move shallow to feed, using live bait or large swimming plugs that create vibration and flash in low-light conditions.
Bluefish remain one of the most reliable and exciting catches in New London waters, especially during their peak season from late spring through early fall. These aggressive predators travel in schools and create some of the most action-packed fishing you'll experience – when you find them, everyone on the boat stays busy. Blues typically range from 2-8 pounds in these waters, with occasional larger fish pushing double digits. They hit fast-moving lures, chunk baits, and even topwater plugs with explosive strikes that get your heart pumping. What makes bluefish so popular with anglers is their willingness to bite throughout the day and their hard-fighting nature that tests your tackle and skills.
Summer flounder, better known as fluke, represent the holy grail for many Connecticut anglers during the warmer months. These flatfish masters of camouflage lie buried in sandy bottom waiting to ambush passing baitfish, making them a challenging but rewarding target. Keeper fluke in New London waters typically range from the 19-inch minimum size up to doormat specimens exceeding 5-6 pounds. The best fluke fishing happens during moving tides when these fish become more aggressive, particularly around structure edges, channel drops, and areas where current creates feeding opportunities. Landing a nice fluke requires patience, proper presentation, and quick hook-sets since they're notorious for mouthing baits before committing.
Striped bass fishing around New London offers year-round opportunities, though peak action occurs during spring and fall migrations when large schools move through Long Island Sound. These fish range from schoolie-sized specimens around 18-28 inches up to cow stripers exceeding 40 inches and 30+ pounds. Stripers demonstrate complex feeding behaviors, sometimes preferring live bait presentations while other times smashing topwater lures with reckless abandon. Night fishing for stripers becomes particularly productive during summer months when these fish move into shallow water under cover of darkness to feed on bunker, herring, and other baitfish.
Sea bass fishing provides consistent action throughout much of the year, with these bottom-dwellers congregating around rocky structure, wrecks, and hard bottom areas. Black sea bass in these waters typically range from keeper size (15 inches) up to 3-4 pound specimens that provide excellent table fare and steady action. They're aggressive feeders that readily take both natural baits and small jigs, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Sea bass often school up in large numbers, so finding one usually means finding many more in the same area.
Scup, also called porgies, might be smaller than other target species but they make up for size with sheer numbers and excellent eating quality. These panfish-sized fighters average 8-12 inches but can reach 14+ inches in Connecticut waters. Porgies are notorious bait stealers with small mouths, requiring smaller hooks and finesse presentations, but they school heavily around structure during summer months. Many anglers target scup specifically for their sweet, mild-flavored meat that's perfect for fish and chips or whole fish preparations.
New London's saltwater fishing scene delivers consistent action across multiple species, making every trip a potential adventure whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The customizable approach means you
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that show up in our waters from mid-June through October, making them a favorite target during summer charters. These blue-green predators typically run 3-15 pounds, though we occasionally hook into larger specimens. They're notorious for their razor-sharp teeth and fierce fights - they'll hit hard and make strong runs that'll test your drag. You'll find them chasing baitfish in open water or working the edges of structure. What makes blues special is their feeding frenzies when they hit schools of menhaden or bunker. They're excellent table fare when bled immediately and kept cold. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your fingers away from their mouth when unhooking - those teeth can do serious damage even on smaller fish.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, also called porgies, are small but abundant fish with compressed, silvery bodies that show up in big schools from May through October. They typically run 8-14 inches and make great targets for families or anglers looking for steady action. These bottom feeders have strong jaws for crushing shells and will eagerly take small baits. While they're not the strongest fighters, their numbers make up for it - you can catch dozens on a good day. Scup are surprisingly good eating, with sweet, flaky meat that's popular in many coastal communities. They hang around rocky areas, pilings, and structure in shallow water where they feed on mollusks and worms. The key is using small hooks with pieces of squid or clam - they have small mouths but big appetites. Once you find a school, stay put and keep your bait on bottom.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy bottom dwellers that pack a serious punch for their size. Most run 1-2 pounds, but fish over 3 pounds are common around our local wrecks and rocky bottom. These dark, mottled fish have big mouths and aren't shy about using them - they'll hit just about anything you drop down. Peak season runs May through October when they're in shallow water. What guests love is the steady action - sea bass are aggressive feeders that school up, so where you catch one, you'll usually find more. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. You'll find them around hard bottom, jetties, and artificial reefs in 30-80 feet. Small jigs tipped with squid or clam work great, but here's the trick: once you find them, work the area thoroughly. They stack up in specific spots and won't move far.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our local fishery, with those distinctive dark horizontal stripes running down their silver sides. These fish typically range 20-40 pounds around here, but we regularly see bigger fish, especially during night trips. They're structure-oriented, hanging around rocky points, drop-offs, and edges where current brings them food. Spring through fall offers the best action, with dawn and dusk being prime time. What makes stripers special is their power - they'll make long, drag-screaming runs that test both your tackle and nerves. They're also excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. During our evening charters, we target them with live eels around rocky structure. Here's a local secret: when the tide starts moving and you see birds working, get your lines in the water fast - that's when the magic happens.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are masters of camouflage that lie flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, but keepers over 5 pounds always get the blood pumping. Best fishing happens May through October when they're in our shallow waters. What guests love about fluke is the challenge - they're subtle biters that require patience and skill to detect. The payoff is worth it though, as they're among the best eating fish in these waters. You'll find them around structure like wrecks, drop-offs, and channel edges in 20-60 feet of water. My go-to technique is drifting with a bucktail tipped with squid or gulp, keeping just enough weight to stay in contact with bottom as we drift.
New London, CT