5.0(1 Reviews)New London Half-Day PM Saltwater Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day afternoon fishing charter for up to four passengersTarget fluke, sea bass, porgies, and striped bass inshoreCompletely customizable trips based on conditions and preferences
If you're looking for a top-rated afternoon fishing adventure that puts you right in the action, this New London half-day charter with Set The Hook CT LLC is exactly what you need. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with room for up to 4 anglers, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility – we're talking completely customizable fishing that adapts to what's biting when you're out there.
This isn't your cookie-cutter charter experience. When you step aboard for this afternoon session, you're getting a captain who reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Some days that means working the light tackle for active fish, other days we're dropping bottom rigs for keeper fluke and fat sea bass. The afternoon and evening window is prime time in New London waters – the light starts to change, baitfish move, and predators get active. You'll launch from one of New London's convenient marinas and be fishing productive spots within minutes, not burning half your trip running to the grounds. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your own setup if you've got favorites. With only 4 anglers max, there's plenty of room to work and everyone gets their shots at the best action.
The captain's approach is all about matching the method to the moment. Light tackle fishing here means using spinning gear with just enough weight to get down, letting you feel every head shake and run. When we're targeting bottom species like fluke and sea bass, you'll be working traditional rigs – maybe a bucktail and teaser combo for flounder or simple high-low rigs loaded with clams and squid for the bass. The real magic happens when conditions line up for targeting big stripers, especially as evening approaches. That's when the captain might switch gears entirely, breaking out live bait or working larger lures around structure. New London's waters offer incredible variety – from rocky bottom that holds tautog to sandy flats where fluke cruise for an easy meal. Tides play a huge role in the game plan, and the captain times trips to hit moving water when fish are most active.
The variety of species you can hook in New London waters during a single afternoon trip is what keeps anglers coming back. Tautog are the bulldogs of the bottom – these chunky fish live around rocks and wrecks, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and mussels. They're not flashy fighters, but they pull hard and steady, and once you feel that distinctive tap-tap-tap bite, you know you're into tog. Best action typically runs from April through November, with fall producing some real doormat-sized fish. Black sea bass are the perfect species for anyone who wants consistent action with great table fare. These fish school up around structure and once you find them, it's often fish after fish. They fight harder than their size suggests, and their firm white meat makes them a customer favorite. Summer flounder, or fluke, are the flatfish that'll test your patience and reward your persistence. These ambush predators bury in sand waiting for baitfish to swim by, then explode upward for the strike. A keeper fluke over 18 inches is always a celebration, and the bigger ones will give you a fight you won't forget. Striped bass are the crown jewel of New England fishing – powerful, smart, and absolutely addictive to target. Whether you hook a schoolie that jumps and runs or a cow that just bulldogs toward deep water, every striper encounter gets your heart racing. Bluefish round out the target list as aggressive predators that hit lures hard and fight dirty, often showing up in feeding frenzies that can make for fast and furious action.
This New London half-day charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want – flexibility, variety, and a captain who knows how to put you on fish. Whether you're a local looking for a convenient after-work fishing fix or visiting from out of town, this trip gives you the best of Connecticut's saltwater fishing without eating up your entire day. The afternoon timing is perfect for hitting evening bites, the 4-person limit ensures everyone gets personal attention, and the customizable approach means you're always fishing the most productive methods for current conditions. Don't wait around hoping for an opening – this renowned charter books up fast, especially during peak season when the fish are thick and the weather's cooperating.
Centropristis StriataThese chunky bottom dwellers are found around wrecks, rocks, and hard structure in 20-120 feet of water. Most are 1-4 pounds, but the bigger males can push 6-8 pounds and sport that distinctive hump on their heads during spawning. Late spring through summer is when they're thick near shore. They're part of the grouper family and fight hard until they break the surface - then they give up. What guests love is they're great eating with sweet, white meat, plus they're pretty reliable when you find them. They'll hit squid, clams, or small jigs bounced near bottom. Pro tip: use a high-low rig and fish right on structure. Don't be afraid to lose some tackle - that's where they live.
Pomatomus SaltatrixThese aggressive choppers arrive in our waters mid-June through October, usually running 3-10 pounds with occasional teens. They travel in schools and feed like piranhas - those razor teeth can shred anything. You'll find them chasing bait in open water, around structure, or right in the surf. They hit hard and fight dirty, making long runs and thrashing at the boat. The smaller "snappers" are perfect for kids - they'll bite almost anything. Blues are great eating if you bleed them right away and ice them down. When they're feeding, almost any lure works, but here's a tip: use a wire leader or they'll bite through mono in seconds. Look for diving birds - that's where the action is.
Morone SaxatilisThe king of our local waters, stripers range from schoolie size up to 40+ pound cows. They're structure-oriented fish found around rocks, drop-offs, and current breaks. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. They're strong fighters that make long runs and love to jump. The meat is firm and sweet - perfect for the table. What makes them special is their feeding behavior - they'll hit everything from live eels to topwater plugs. Night fishing can be magic when big fish move shallow to feed. Local tip: focus on moving water around structure changes. They position in current breaks waiting for bait to sweep by. Match your bait to what they're eating and fish where the food is.
Paralichthys DentatusKnown locally as fluke, these flatfish are masters of camouflage lying on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but the "doormats" over 5 pounds are what everyone's after. They're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. Best fishing is late spring through fall in 15-60 feet of water over sand and mud. They love structure edges where bait gathers. What makes them fun is you never know what size will grab your bait - could be a throwback or a wall-hanger. They hit bucktails, live minnows, or squid strips. Here's the trick: use a slow retrieve just off bottom and give them time to turn the bait before setting the hook. They grab prey sideways and need to reposition it.
Tautoga OnitisAlso called blackfish, these thick-bodied fighters love rocky structure around jetties, wrecks, and boulder fields. Most run 1-3 pounds, but we see some nice 5+ pounders in deeper water. They're day feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish - those teeth can easily snap light tackle. Spring through fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before winter. What makes them special is the challenge - they're picky eaters and their rocky haunts eat tackle. Fresh green crab is the ticket, but here's the key: remove the claws and legs, then lightly crack the shell. Let that scent drift down to get them fired up. Change baits every few minutes since they lose effectiveness fast.
5.0 out of 5.0Very professional and fun to work with.
New London, CT