Hampton Bays 12-Hour Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour offshore charter targeting sharks and tuna speciesEarly 4am departure with all equipment and licenses includedSmall group experience accommodating up to 4 guests maximum
When you're serious about getting into the deep water where the big fish live, this 12-hour offshore charter out of Hampton Bays is exactly what you need. White Water Charters has been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and this full-day trip is their bread and butter. You'll be targeting sharks and tuna in some of the most productive offshore waters on the East Coast, with departures as early as 4 a.m. to maximize your time on the water. The captain covers everything from rods and reels to bait and tackle, plus your fishing license and fish cleaning at the end of the day. All you need to bring is your appetite for adventure and whatever food and drinks you want for the long haul.
This isn't your typical half-day fishing trip – we're talking about a serious offshore adventure that starts before dawn and keeps you on the water until late afternoon. The early departure time isn't just for show; it gets you out to the productive fishing grounds while the bite is hot and gives you maximum time with lines in the water. Hampton Bays sits perfectly positioned for accessing both the continental shelf and the deeper canyons where pelagic species roam. Your captain will read the conditions and head to wherever the fish are biting best that day, whether that's structure holding baitfish or temperature breaks where predators patrol. The boat is rigged specifically for offshore work, with outriggers for trolling and plenty of deck space for fighting big fish. With only 4 anglers maximum, you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be bumping elbows when the action heats up. The captain adjusts departure and return times based on tides, weather, and what you're hoping to accomplish, so every trip is tailored to give you the best shot at success.
The beauty of a 12-hour charter is having time to try different approaches depending on what's working. Most of the day will likely involve trolling for pelagic species like tuna and sharks, running a spread of lures and baits at varying distances and depths. The captain will set up the spread based on conditions – maybe pulling cedar plugs and spoons for tuna, or rigging ballyhoo and mackerel for sharks. You'll cover a lot of water this way, working temperature breaks, weed lines, and structure that shows fish on the sonar. When trolling slows down, expect to switch tactics and try some bottom fishing or chunking over productive spots. The boat carries a full arsenal of tackle for different situations – heavy spinning gear for casting to surface feeding fish, conventional reels for deep dropping, and everything in between. Wire leaders are standard when sharks are around, and the captain knows how to rig everything properly so you're not losing fish to cutoffs. Bait is kept fresh in the boat's livewells and coolers, and the crew knows how to present it properly whether you're drifting chunks or working live bait around structure.
The waters off Hampton Bays have been producing some outstanding fishing this season, with multiple species showing up consistently for anglers willing to make the run offshore. Bluefish have been the most reliable target, with schools ranging from slot-sized fish perfect for the dinner table up to chopper blues that'll test your tackle and your arms. These aggressive predators hit hard and fight dirty, making long runs and trying to wrap you around anything they can find. Summer flounder have been showing up in good numbers too, particularly around structure and depth changes where they ambush baitfish. The bigger doormat fluke are always a possibility when you're working the right spots with fresh bait. Striped bass fishing has been solid, especially during the morning and evening hours when they're actively feeding. The bass in these offshore waters tend to be bigger fish that have moved out from the inshore areas, and they'll give you everything they've got when hooked in open water.
Bluefish are the workhorses of Long Island offshore fishing, and for good reason. These toothy predators are aggressive feeders that will hit everything from trolled lures to chunked bait, and they fight like fish twice their size. Blues typically run in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more around. They're most active during moving water and low-light periods, which is why those early morning hours are so productive. The best part about targeting blues is their willingness to eat – they're not picky about presentation and will often compete with each other to get to your bait first. When cleaning them, the key is getting them on ice quickly and bleeding them properly to maintain the best flavor.
Summer flounder, or fluke, are the ultimate test of an angler's bottom fishing skills. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for prey to swim overhead, then explode upward to grab their meal. The bigger fish prefer deeper water and stronger current, which is why offshore spots often produce the best quality fluke. They're extremely structure-oriented, so expect to fish around wrecks, rocks, and depth changes where baitfish concentrate. Fluke fishing requires patience and the right presentation – a slow drift with the bait bouncing just off the bottom is usually most effective. The reward is some of the finest eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for everything from fish tacos to fancy dinner preparations.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Northeast fishing, combining size, fight, and table quality into one package. Offshore stripers tend to be larger fish that have moved out of the shallows to follow baitfish schools, and they can range from schoolie size up to true cows pushing 40-plus pounds. These fish are incredibly smart and can be selective about what they'll eat, making them a challenging target that keeps even experienced anglers on their toes. They're most active during dawn and dusk feeding periods, but can be caught throughout the day when conditions are right. Stripers
Get ready to chase some serious fish aboard our custom 2022 27-foot Conch center console. This legendary fishing machine was originally designed for the Florida Keys and Northeast waters, then specially built to handle our Hampton Bays charter needs. The gyro stabilizer keeps you steady when you're battling big tuna or sharks in open water. We've got everything dialed in for your 12-hour offshore adventure - fish finder to locate your targets, GPS and radar for navigation, VHF radio for safety, plus an icebox to keep your drinks cold during those long fights. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rails without getting tangled up. Your captain provides all rods, reels, tackle, bait, and fishing licenses, plus they'll clean your catch at the end of the day. Just bring whatever food and drinks you want for the trip. We're talking early morning departures around 4 AM to hit the best bite times, though exact timing depends on tides, weather, and what you're after. This Conch hull cuts through the chop like butter and gets you to the fishing grounds fast.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that'll give you a real fight on the line. These silver-blue bruisers typically run 3-15 pounds around here, though we see some pushing 20. They're voracious feeders with razor-sharp teeth, so watch your fingers when handling them. You'll find blues from mid-June through October in our waters, often feeding in frenzied schools that churn the surface white. They hit hard on everything from live bait to metal jigs. The meat's oily and rich - smaller ones under 5 pounds taste best. Pro tip: when you see diving birds working baitfish, get over there fast. Blues will be underneath slashing through those bait schools, and that's when the action gets wild.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the holy grail around here, with those distinctive black stripes and powerful builds. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, but 50-pounders show up regularly during peak season. They love structure - rocks, drop-offs, and underwater ledges where baitfish get pushed around by current. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, especially when water temps hit that 60-65 degree sweet spot. These fish fight like freight trains, making long runs that'll test your drag. The meat's firm and flaky with great flavor. They're smart fish that can be picky about bait presentation. My go-to tip: when using live eels at night, let the fish run with it for a good 10 seconds before setting the hook. Patience pays off with these beauties.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are masters of disguise lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish average 15-20 inches but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds are the real prize. They're found from shallow bays to offshore waters up to 100 feet deep, especially around structure changes and drop-offs. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're feeding heavily before winter. Fluke are excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They fight with surprising strength, making long runs when hooked. Here's a local trick: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid or spearing, and work it slow along the bottom with short hops. Let it sit for a few seconds between bounces.
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