Inshore Fishing Charter in the Hamptons
Most people booking an inshore fishing charter in the Hamptons want to know one thing: are we going to catch anything, and can we keep it? The honest answer is that Peconic Bay and Gardiners Bay produce steady action all summer, but what goes in the cooler depends on the calendar and a tape measure.
We're Charters in The Hamptons, a family-run operation on Shelter Island, and we'd rather you know the rules before you leave the dock. Half-day trips run about four hours with a USCG-licensed captain. Pickup is available in Greenport and Sag Harbor. Call (631) 251-1777.
What You'll Actually Catch, and What You Can Keep
Inshore means the protected water inside the bays, not the ocean. Four species do most of the work out here in summer, and each has its own rule.
Porgy (Scup)
The most reliable bite in the bay. Minimum size for anglers fishing from a vessel is 11 inches, and the limit is 30 fish per person from May 1 through August 31. From September 1 to October 31 that rises to 40 on a licensed charter boat.
Fluke (Summer Flounder)
Open May 4 through October 15. The minimum size is 19 inches through August 1, then steps up to 19.5 inches from August 2. Three fish per person.
Black Sea Bass
Open May 16, minimum 16 inches. Three fish per day through August 31, then six per day from September 1.
Bluefish
No size limit. Anglers aboard a licensed charter boat may keep seven, two more than someone fishing off a private boat.
Rules change year to year. Check the current numbers at the New York State DEC before your trip, and we'll confirm what's open when you call.
The Fluke Rule Nobody Expects
Fluke can't be cleaned, filleted, or have the head or tail removed until the fish is brought ashore. That surprises people who assume the mate will fillet as you go. We clean your catch at the dock when we get back, which is where the law says it has to happen.
When to Go
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May and June. Striped bass push into the bay behind the bunker schools. Early fluke start showing. Cooler water and far fewer boats.
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July and August. Peak fluke. Porgies everywhere, sea bass filling in, bluefish blitzing. Best months for steady action with kids or beginners aboard.
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September and October. The best fishing of the year. Bass migrate back through, porgy limits go up, and the crowds are gone.
If you only get out once a season, go in September.
Where We Fish
Peconic Bay is protected on three sides. When the ocean is rough, the bay stays flat. That's the whole reason inshore trips work for mixed groups and first-time anglers.
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Fluke lie on the sandy bottoms south of Shelter Island through July and August. Porgies stack up around structure almost everywhere. Sea bass show up on the harder bottom and around wrecks. Bluefish move through in schools and turn a quiet morning loud in about ninety seconds.
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Pickup at Greenport puts you on the North Fork side of the bay. Pickup at Sag Harbor puts you on the South Fork. Our Shelter Island base sits between the two, which is why we can pick you up on either side without adding an hour of running time.
Why Learn With Charters in The Hamptons
Every fishing charter comes with:
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Rods, reels, and tackle matched to what's biting
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Live and cut bait
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Ice for your catch
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A USCG-licensed captain
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Fish cleaning at the dock
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Coast Guard required safety gear
You bring food, drinks, sunscreen, layers, and a cooler if you want to take fish home. Passengers aboard a licensed charter boat in New York's marine district don't need to register with the state's Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. The boat's license covers you.
How We Actually Fish the Bay
Most inshore fishing here is bottom fishing, and it's simpler than it looks. A two-hook rig, a sinker heavy enough to hold in the current, and a piece of squid or clam gets you porgies and sea bass all day.
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Fluke is different. You drift across sandy bottom dragging a bait, and the bite is a slow pull rather than a sharp knock. Half the fluke a beginner loses come from setting the hook too early. Your captain will show you the timing on the first fish.
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Bluefish need wire or heavy leader because they cut through everything else. When a school comes through, we'll switch you over fast.
Good for People Who Don't Fish Much
Half a day inside the bay is the easiest way to learn. The ride out is short. The water is calm. Porgy fishing is close to foolproof, which matters when somebody in the group has never held a rod.
We keep the pace relaxed and the captain will bait hooks, untangle lines, and show you how to work a bottom rig. Nobody's going to make you feel like you don't belong on the boat.
Why Book With Us
We're cousins who grew up working the docks at our family's marina on Shelter Island. We earned our USCG licenses in 2019 and have run more than 200 charters since.
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Every captain holds a USCG license.
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Private charters only. You'll never share the boat with strangers.
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Pickup in Greenport and Sag Harbor, so you skip the drive to an unfamiliar marina.
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Central Shelter Island base with fast access to both sides of the bay.​
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If you want a longer day and bigger water, look at our deep sea trips. If the group includes young kids, a family trip is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a half-day inshore charter? About four hours. That's enough time to fish two or three spots inside the bay without a long run in either direction.
Do I need a fishing license? No. Passengers on a licensed charter boat in New York's marine and coastal district are covered by the vessel's license and don't need to register separately.
Can we keep what we catch? Yes, within the size and bag limits for each species. Your captain measures fish at the boat and will tell you what's legal that day.
Is inshore fishing good for beginners? Yes. It's the best option for first-timers. The water inside Peconic Bay is protected, the ride is short, and porgy and sea bass bite steadily through the summer.
Do you clean the fish? Yes, at the dock when we get back. Fluke in particular can't legally be cleaned until it's brought ashore.
What should I bring? Food, drinks, sunscreen, a hat, a layer for the ride, and a cooler if you're taking fish home. We supply rods, tackle, bait, and ice.
Do you run trips on weekdays? Yes, seven days a week in season. Weekdays are quieter and easier to book on short notice.
How many people fit on the boat? Most private charter vessels are limited to six passengers under federal law, regardless of how many seats the boat has. Give us the head count when you call and we'll tell you which vessel fits.
Book a Half-Day
Tell us your date and how many are coming, and we'll match you to a boat and a plan for what's biting that week. 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 contact us.
