5.0(1 Reviews)New London Half-Day PM Saltwater Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon light tackle fishing for four passengers maximumCustomizable trips target fluke, sea bass, porgies, and stripersFlexible scheduling based on optimal tide and weather conditions
Picture this: you and three buddies hitting the waters off New London for an afternoon of serious saltwater action with Set The Hook CT LLC. This isn't your typical cookie-cutter fishing trip – we're talking about a completely customizable half-day adventure that adapts to what the fish are doing, not what some rigid schedule says. Whether the tide's pushing bait into the shallows or the sun's setting just right for those monster stripers to start feeding, your captain knows exactly where to put you on the fish.
Your afternoon starts with a conversation, not a lecture. The captain will check the conditions – wind, tide, water temp – and lay out the game plan. Maybe the fluke are stacked up on a particular piece of structure, or perhaps the sea bass are crushing everything that hits bottom near the ledges. The beauty of this charter is the flexibility. If the light tackle bite is slow, you might switch to bottom fishing. If word comes over the radio about a blitz happening nearby, you're heading that direction. The boat handles four anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of elbow room to work their rods without getting tangled up. You'll have access to quality gear if you need it, but bringing your own favorite setup is always encouraged. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and that local knowledge makes all the difference between a good day and a day you'll be talking about for years.
The fishing techniques on this charter range from finesse light tackle work to good old-fashioned bottom bouncing, depending on what's biting. When targeting stripers, you might be throwing soft plastics or live bait on spinning gear, feeling every head shake as these bruisers try to throw the hook. The light tackle approach lets you feel everything – the subtle pickup of a fluke mouthing your bucktail, the aggressive slam of a bluefish hitting a topwater plug. For the bottom fishing action, you'll be dropping rigs tipped with squid, clams, or sea worms down to structure where the sea bass, porgies, and tautog hang out. The captain will position the boat perfectly, using his electronics to mark fish and structure. You'll learn to feel the difference between a rock, a crab, and that telltale tap-tap-tap of a black sea bass testing your bait. The afternoon timing works perfectly for this style of fishing – as the sun gets lower, fish often become more active, especially the stripers that love to feed in that golden hour before dark.
Let's talk about what's swimming around New London waters and why each species gets anglers fired up. Striped bass are the crown jewel of New England saltwater fishing, and for good reason. These fish are smart, strong, and when you hook into a 30-plus-pounder, you'll know why they call them "cows." Stripers feed heavily in the afternoon and evening hours, especially around structure and moving water. They're ambush predators that love to corral baitfish against rocks, docks, or drop-offs. The fight is legendary – long runs, head shaking, and they never give up until they're in the net.
Summer flounder, or fluke as we call them here, are the masters of disguise and the table fare champions. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and gravel, waiting to ambush anything that swims by. They can grow surprisingly large in these waters, with doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds always a possibility. The key is working your bait or lure along the bottom with just enough action to get their attention. When a fluke hits, you'll feel that characteristic thump-thump as they try to stun their prey before swallowing it.
Black sea bass are the scrappy fighters that punch well above their weight class. These fish live around rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom, and they'll slam anything that looks edible. What makes them special is their aggressive nature – they'll often hit your bait before it even reaches bottom. Plus, they're fantastic eating, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Peak season runs through fall, when they're feeding heavily before moving to deeper water.
Tautog, or "tog" to locals, are the bulldogs of the bottom. These fish have crushing jaws designed to crack open crabs and mussels, and when they grab your bait, it's game on. They're notorious bait stealers, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook at the first sign of movement. The bigger ones, called "white chin" tog because of their coloring, are true trophies that can weigh over 10 pounds.
Bluefish are the aggressive gladiators that'll hit anything that moves and fight like they're angry about it. These toothy predators travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They're perfect for light tackle because they'll take surface lures, jigs, or bait with equal enthusiasm. Just watch your fingers – those teeth are razor sharp and they know how to use them.
This half-day afternoon charter offers everything serious anglers want – flexibility, local expertise, and access to some of the best saltwater fishing New England has to offer. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table with some fresh fluke and sea bass, or hoping to tangle with a trophy striper as the sun sets, Set The Hook CT LLC has the knowledge and equipment to make it happen. The four-person capacity keeps things intimate and ensures everyone gets plenty of shots at the fish. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – your captain will work with whatever Mother Nature serves up and put you on fish regardless. Book your spot now and get ready to see why New London's waters have been drawing anglers for generations.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid bottom dwellers that love rocky structure, wrecks, and jetties. Most fish run 1-4 pounds, though bigger males can reach 6-8 pounds and develop that distinctive hump on their heads. Late spring through summer is peak season when they move into shallower water around 20-120 feet deep. They're scrappy fighters that make strong runs toward structure once hooked. The meat is excellent - sweet and firm, perfect for the dinner table. Interesting fact: they're born female and change to male as they grow larger. Use squid strips or clams on a two-hook rig, and fish right on the bottom near structure. Keep your drag tight - they'll try to cut you off on the rocks every time.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in our waters mid-June through October, following bait schools. Most weigh 3-10 pounds, but larger ones can push 15+ pounds. They travel in schools and feed heavily on menhaden, anchovies, and smaller fish. You'll find them in open water, around bait schools, or near structure when chasing prey. Summer and early fall fishing is prime when they're feeding aggressively before heading south. These fish fight hard with strong runs and make great table fare when prepared fresh. The meat is flaky and mild on smaller fish. Watch for bird activity - diving gulls usually mean bluefish are pushing bait to the surface. Wire leaders help since their teeth are razor sharp.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the king of our local waters, ranging from schoolie size up to trophy fish over 30 pounds. They love structure - rocks, drop-offs, and current breaks where baitfish get pushed around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best fishing, but we get them year-round. Evening and early morning are prime times when they move shallow to feed. These fish are strong fighters with long runs and great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They follow bait schools like bunker and herring, so watch for bird activity. Live eels work magic at night around structure - just make sure your drag is set right because a big striper will test every knot you've tied.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of the seafloor - they change color to match the bottom perfectly. These flatfish average 15-20 inches but can grow much larger, with females reaching impressive sizes. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting to strike at baitfish swimming overhead. Best fishing is late spring through fall in 15-60 feet of water over sandy bottom near structure edges. Fluke are strong fighters with that distinctive head-shaking battle, and they're outstanding table fare. The key is movement - use a bucktail jig with squid strips or live bait and keep it moving along the bottom. Drift fishing works best, and always use a net since they have soft mouths and shake hooks easily.
Tautoga OnitisAlso called blackfish, tautog are chunky fighters that love rocky structure and wrecks. Most run 1-3 pounds, but bigger ones can hit 8+ pounds. They hang around jetties, boulders, and underwater structure where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps are steady. These fish put up a solid scrap once hooked, and they're fantastic eating - sweet, firm meat that's hard to beat. Here's the key: use green crabs for bait and crush up some shells around your spot to get them feeding. Drop your rig close to structure but not right in it, or you'll lose tackle. They bite quick and light, so stay alert.
5.0 out of 5.0Very professional and fun to work with.
New London, CT