Deep Sea Fishing Charter in the Hamptons
A deep sea fishing charter in the Hamptons doesn't run on your schedule. It runs on the tide. The best water we fish, Plum Gut between Orient Point and Plum Island, is a tidal race, and the fish there feed when the current does the work. That's why a full-day trip might leave at 5 a.m. one week and 10 a.m. the next.
We're Charters in The Hamptons, a family-run operation on Shelter Island, and we plan the departure around the water, not the clock. Call (631) 251-1777 and give us your date.
Why the Tide Sets the Departure Time
Plum Gut is a narrow gap where Long Island Sound empties into Gardiners Bay. Millions of gallons move through it twice a day. Striped bass and big bluefish stack up on the down-current side and wait for bait to get swept past them.
That means timing is everything. Fish the wrong stage of the tide and you'll mark fish that won't eat. Fish the right stage and it can be one hook-up after another.
​
When you call with a date, we look at the tide for that day and set the departure from there. It's the single biggest difference between a good full day and a slow one, and it's the thing most people never think to ask about.
What You're Targeting
Full-day trips push out past the bays into bigger water, working Plum Gut and Block Island Sound.
​
-
Striped Bass. Marine waters are open April 15 through December 15, with a one-fish limit and a 28 to 31 inch slot. Fish outside that range go back. Inline circle hooks are required by law when fishing bait for bass.
-
Bluefish. No size limit, and anglers on a licensed charter boat may keep seven. Bigger fish out here than inside the bay.
-
Tautog (Blackfish). A fall and spring fishery over rock and wreck. Sixteen inch minimum.
Current limits are published by the New York State DEC and change from year to year.
Blackfish Line Most Anglers Miss
New York splits tautog into two management regions, and the boundary runs from Orient Point to Watch Hill, Rhode Island. It cuts straight through the water we fish.
​
North and west of that line is the Long Island Sound Region, where the fall season runs October 11 to December 9 with a three-fish limit. South and east is the NY Bight Region, where the fall season runs October 15 to December 22 with a four-fish limit.
​
Same day, same boat, two different rule sets depending on which side of the line you drop a bait. Your captain knows exactly where that line sits.
The Slot Limit, Explained Honestly
The striped bass slot is the thing that disappoints people who haven't fished New York recently. You may keep one bass, and only if it measures between 28 and 31 inches. A 40 inch fish goes back. So does a 25 inch fish.
We'd rather say that up front than watch someone's face fall at the rail. Most of a good bass day out here is catch and release, and the fish you remember is usually the one you put back.
How a Full Day Runs
Full-day deep sea trips run roughly eight to ten hours. That gives you the run time to fish several spots and follow the bite instead of settling for the first one.
We pick up in Greenport on the North Fork and Sag Harbor on the South Fork. Greenport is the shorter run to Plum Gut. Our base on Shelter Island sits between the two, so either pickup works without wasting fuel and daylight.
Bring More Layers Than You Think
Out past the bays it's colder, windier, and wetter than the forecast on your phone suggests. A calm 75 degree morning on the dock can feel like 60 in the current with spray coming over the bow. Bring a windbreaker even in July.
Pace Yourself on a Ten-Hour Day
A full day is a real day. People underestimate what eight to ten hours of sun, wind, and standing does to them, and they run out of steam by hour six. Bring more water than you think you need.
Bring real food, not just snacks. Eat before you leave the dock, not two hours in. Sunscreen twice, because the reflection off the water doubles the exposure.
None of this is complicated, but the groups that plan for it fish hard right through the last drift while everyone else is sitting down.
What's Included
Every fishing charter includes rods, reels, tackle, live and cut bait, ice, a USCG-licensed captain, fish cleaning at the dock, and required safety gear. Passengers on a licensed charter boat don't need their own New York fishing registration.
​
You bring food, drinks, layers, sunscreen, and a cooler.
Why Book With Us
We're cousins who grew up in the marina business on Shelter Island, working the docks before we earned our USCG licenses in 2019. We've run more than 200 charters since.
​
-
Every captain holds a USCG license, not just one.
-
Shelter Island sits closer to Plum Gut than most South Fork operations, which means more fishing and less running.
-
Private charters only.
-
We plan around the tide, not around a booking calendar.
Check the Tide With Us
Give us a date and we'll tell you what the water is doing and when we should leave.
​
Call or text (631) 251-1777, or email captain@chartersinthehamptons.com. We're at 63 S Menantic Rd, Shelter Island, NY 11964. See our boats or read our FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a full-day deep sea charter? Roughly eight to ten hours. Departure time depends on the tide for your date, so it shifts week to week.
What time will we leave? We set it once we see the tide for your date. Some days that's before sunrise, some days it's mid-morning. We'll confirm when you book.
How many striped bass can we keep? One per angler, and only if it falls between 28 and 31 inches. Everything outside the slot goes back. Inline circle hooks are required when fishing with bait.
Is a full day too much for a first-timer? It can be. If it's someone's first trip, a half-day inside the bay is usually the better introduction. Call and tell us who's coming and we'll be straight with you.
Do we need fishing licenses? No. The vessel's license covers passengers on a licensed charter boat in New York's marine district.
What's the weather policy? Your captain makes the call based on conditions the morning of. Call (631) 251-1777 and we'll talk through how rescheduling works for your date.
When is the best month? October. Bass migration peaks, blackfish season opens, and the water empties out.
Can we keep bluefish and blackfish the same day? Usually yes, subject to open seasons. Bluefish is open all year with no size limit. Blackfish has a short spring window and a longer fall one, and the dates depend on which side of the Orient Point line you're fishing.
How many can come along? Most private charter boats carry no more than six paying passengers under federal law. Call with your head count and we'll sort the boat.
