Hamptons
Fishing Charters
Saltwater Fishing the Twin Forks, From a Boat That Knows the Water
The Hamptons and North Fork sit in some of the best saltwater fishing on the East Coast. Striped bass run through Peconic Bay in spring. Fluke fill the shallows by July. Tuna and shark feed in the canyons off Montauk. We run Charters in The Hamptons out of Shelter Island, right in the middle of the Twin Forks. That means we can run you north for inshore fluke, or south for offshore tuna, on the same boat, same day if you want.
Our family has been on these waters for years. We're cousins who grew up in the marina business on Shelter Island, and we run a fleet of 26+ vessels including 57' and 62' Pershing yachts. All captains hold USCG (US Coast Guard) licenses. Pickup is available at Greenport and Sag Harbor, so you don't have to drive out to a marina you don't know.
Call (631) 251-1777 to book, or read on to see which trip fits your group.
Types of Fishing Charters We Offer
We run six core fishing trips out of Shelter Island, Greenport, and Sag Harbor. Each one targets a different stretch of water and a different mix of species. Pick what fits your group and the time of year.
Half-Day Inshore Trips
Our inshore fishing charters work the calm, protected water of Peconic Bay and Gardiner's Bay. This is where fluke, porgies (scup), bluefish, and black sea bass live in the summer. Trips usually run four hours and they're great for first-time anglers, mixed-skill groups, and anyone who wants steady action without a long ride.
Full-Day Deep Sea Trips
When you want bigger fish and bigger water, our deep sea fishing charters head out past Plum Gut and Block Island Sound. You'll target striped bass, tautog (blackfish), and bigger bluefish. Full-day trips give you the run time to fish multiple spots and find what's biting.
Shark & Tuna Offshore Trips
Family-Friendly Fishing
Sunset Fishing & Cruise
For serious anglers, our shark and tuna offshore fishing trips push out to the canyons south of Montauk. Bigeye tuna, mahi-mahi, and shark feed out there from late summer into early fall. These are long-day or overnight runs, so book early. Weather windows are tight.
Our family fishing charters are built for kids and beginners. Shorter trips, calmer water inside the bay, smaller boats, and captains who are good with first-timers. Everyone catches something. That matters when there's a six-year-old on board.
If you want fishing plus the view, our sunset fishing cruise packages mix a couple hours of light fishing with a slow ride back through Shelter Island's back creeks at golden hour. Bring a cooler. We've had more than one engagement happen on these.
Private Sportfishing With Captain
Want the whole boat to yourself? Our private sportfishing charters are fully custom. Pick the target species, the run time, the pickup point. Good for corporate groups, bachelor and bachelorette trips, and serious anglers who want one captain's full attention.
We're also planning to add a couple of new trip styles in the coming season. Ask when you call and we'll tell you what's next.
Inshore Fishing in Peconic Bay & The North Fork
Peconic Bay is the heart of inshore fishing on the East End. It's protected on three sides, the water stays calm even when the ocean's rough, and the fish move through it on a predictable schedule. We know the schedule.
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Spring (May to June): Striped bass arrive in numbers. Bunker schools push into the bay and the bass follow. This is one of the best windows of the year.
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Summer (July to August): Fluke, also called summer flounder, bed down on the sandy bottoms south of Shelter Island. Porgies and bluefish are everywhere. Black sea bass start to show up.
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Fall (September to October): Striped bass migration peaks. Bigger fish, hungrier, headed back south. If you only fish once a year, fish in October.
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Winter: Quieter, but cod and tautog still bite in the deeper holes. We run select winter trips by request.
Pickup at Greenport puts you on the North Fork side of the bay. Pickup at Sag Harbor puts you on the South Fork. Either way, you skip the drive to a marina you don't know.
Offshore & Deep Sea Fishing
Once you clear the inlets and get into open water, the species change. Block Island Sound holds striped bass and big bluefish in the fall. The waters off Montauk Point hold bigeye tuna and shark from July into October. Shinnecock Inlet is a back door to some of the best canyon fishing on Long Island.
Our 57' and 62' Pershing yachts have the range and the speed to run offshore comfortably. That matters when you're 30 miles out and the weather shifts. A bigger boat means a smoother ride home.
Offshore trips aren't for everyone. They're long days, sometimes 12 hours. But if you want a shot at the kind of fish that ends up on a wall, this is how you do it.
Family-Friendly Fishing Excursions
Most fishing charter companies pick a lane. They're either family operations or hardcore sportfishing operations. We do both. We can run a serious tuna trip in the morning and a kid-focused trip in the afternoon, on different boats with different captains.
For families, we use our smaller boats inside the protected water of Peconic Bay. The ride is short. The water is calm. The captain spends as much time helping kids reel in as he does running the boat. Snacks, life jackets, sunscreen, bring it all. We provide the fishing gear and the bait.
What's Included on Our Fishing Charters
Every trip comes with:
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Rods, reels, and tackle suited to the target species
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Live and cut bait
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Ice for your catch
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USCG-licensed captain
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Fish cleaning at the dock when you're back
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Coast Guard-required safety gear (life jackets, etc.)
You bring food, drinks, sunscreen, layers, and a cooler if you want to take fish home. No fishing license is needed for passengers. The boat's license covers you.
Why Charter With Us
A few things set us apart from other Hamptons fishing operations.
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We grew up here. Cousins, family-run, Shelter Island roots. We know which coves are holding fish in August and which channels to avoid at low tide. That's not in a guidebook.
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Our location is unmatched. Shelter Island is centrally located between the Twin Forks of Long Island, with easy access to both North Fork and South Fork. Other operations are pinned to one side. We can fish both.
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All captains hold USCG (US Coast Guard) licenses. Not just one. Every captain on the fleet. That matters when conditions get rough.
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26+ vessels including 57' and 62' Pershing yachts. Whether you want a small skiff for the bay or a 62-footer for the canyons, we have the right boat.
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Custom pickup at Greenport and Sag Harbor. Most charter companies make you come to them. We come to you.
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Seasonal Membership program with priority booking and last-minute discounted rates. If you fish more than two or three times a season, the membership pays for itself.
We also offer USCG-captained charters for groups that want the boat without running it themselves.
Fishing Seasons in The Hamptons
Knowing when to fish is half the battle. Here's a quick season breakdown.
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Spring (April to June): Striped bass arrival in Peconic Bay. Early fluke. Cool water, fewer crowds.
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Summer (July to August): Fluke peak. Porgies, bluefish, black sea bass. Offshore tuna fishing opens up by mid-July.
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Fall (September to November): Striped bass migration is the best fishing of the year. Tuna stays strong through October. Tautog runs start in October.
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Winter (December to March): Cod, tautog in deeper water. Limited trips, ask about availability.
For the latest size and bag limits, check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation saltwater fishing regulations. Rules change year to year.
Ready to Book a Trip?
Call (631) 251-1777 or email captain@chartersinthehamptons.com. We're located at 63 Menantic Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964. Pickup is available at Greenport and Sag Harbor. We serve the North Fork, Shelter Island, Greenport, Sag Harbor, and the East End of Long Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in the Hamptons? The Hamptons hold striped bass, fluke (summer flounder), bluefish, black sea bass, porgies (scup), and tautog inshore. Offshore you can target bigeye tuna, mahi-mahi, and shark from Montauk waters. Species and seasons shift through the year, so call us for what's biting this week.
How much does a fishing charter cost in the Hamptons? Pricing depends on the boat, the trip length, and how far offshore you're going. A half-day inshore trip costs significantly less than a full-day tuna run on a 62' Pershing. Call (631) 251-1777 for a quote on the trip you have in mind.
When is the best time for fishing in the Hamptons? Fall is the best time, hands down. The striped bass migration peaks in October, tuna are still feeding offshore, and the crowds thin out. Summer is more consistent for fluke and inshore species. Spring is excellent for early striped bass.
Do you need a license to fish on a charter boat in NY? No. Passengers on a licensed party or charter boat in New York's marine and coastal district are not required to register with the state's Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. The boat's license covers you. This is one less thing to worry about when you book.
How long do Hamptons fishing charters last? Half-day inshore trips run about four hours. Full-day deep sea trips run eight to ten hours. Offshore tuna and shark trips can run 12+ hours or overnight. We can also build a custom trip length on a private charter.
Do you offer pickup at Greenport? Yes. We offer custom pickup at Greenport on the North Fork and at Sag Harbor on the South Fork. This is one of our biggest advantages over other Hamptons charter companies. You don't have to drive out to Shelter Island unless you want to.
What is the best fishing in the North Fork? The North Fork side of Peconic Bay is some of the best inshore fishing on Long Island. Fluke, porgies, striped bass, and bluefish are all within a short run from Greenport. Our pickup at Greenport puts you on the fish without a long ride.
