Where can I charter a fishing boat?

Fishing boats can be chartered from waterfront communities, marinas, and boat basins throughout Long Island, with major departure areas including Montauk, Hampton Bays, Freeport, Point Lookout, Babylon, Bay Shore, Oakdale, Huntington, Oyster Bay, and the Port Jefferson area. The right location depends on whether you want a private charter, a shared party-boat trip, protected bay fishing, fishing in Long Island Sound, or an offshore trip into the Atlantic Ocean.

In Short

Some of Long Island’s largest concentrations of fishing boats are found at Captree State Park, Montauk, Freeport, Hampton Bays, Point Lookout, Port Jefferson Harbor, and North Shore harbors near Huntington and Oyster Bay. Private charters usually reserve the entire boat for one group, while party boats and open boats allow passengers to purchase individual spaces. Most licensed fishing boats provide rods, reels, bait, tackle, safety equipment, and assistance from the captain and crew.

Where Can I Charter a Fishing Boat?

Long Island has charter and party boats operating from the South Shore, North Shore, North Fork, South Fork, and throughout the broader East End. Each part of the island provides access to different fishing grounds. South Shore ports connect anglers with coastal bays, channels, inlets, and the Atlantic Ocean, while North Shore boats primarily fish Long Island Sound and nearby harbors. East End ports provide access to the Great Peconic Bay, Gardiners Bay, Block Island Sound, waters around Montauk, and offshore fishing grounds in the Atlantic Ocean.

Charter operations, sailing schedules, target species, and available trip lengths change with the season. Some captains operate throughout most of the year, while others sail only during the primary spring, summer, and fall fishing seasons. It is important to contact the operator directly before traveling.

Captree State Park

Captree State Park is one of Long Island’s best-known places to board a fishing boat. Its boat basin supports a fleet of party boats, charter boats, sightseeing vessels, and excursion boats. Trips commonly enter the Great South Bay, nearby channels and inlets, and the Atlantic Ocean, depending on the boat, weather, season, and target species.

Captree is particularly useful for individuals, couples, families, and small groups that do not want to reserve an entire private boat. Many of its larger party boats sell tickets by the passenger and offer scheduled morning, afternoon, evening, or night trips. Common targets may include fluke, striped bass, black sea bass, bluefish, porgy, weakfish, and tautog.

Montauk

Montauk is Long Island’s most prominent destination for serious sportfishing and one of the leading fishing ports in New York. Boats operating from Montauk Harbor travel through Montauk Inlet to reach waters around Montauk Point, Block Island Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and offshore canyons.

Montauk captains offer private inshore charters, party-boat trips, nearshore excursions, and full offshore expeditions. Inshore and nearshore trips may target striped bass, fluke, black sea bass, bluefish, porgy, and tautog. Longer offshore trips may pursue tuna, mahi-mahi, sharks, tilefish, and other pelagic or deepwater species. Because offshore trips require longer travel times and favorable marine conditions, they generally cost more and may last a full day or longer.

Hampton Bays and Shinnecock Bay

Hampton Bays is another major South Fork departure area. Local marinas provide access to Shinnecock Bay, the Peconic Bay system, nearby ocean waters, and offshore fishing grounds. The location makes Hampton Bays suitable for both family-oriented bay trips and more demanding ocean charters.

Depending on the season, boats may target fluke, striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, porgy, black sea bass, tautog, sharks, tuna, and mahi-mahi. Hampton Bays can be a convenient alternative for visitors staying in Southampton, Westhampton, or elsewhere in The Hamptons who do not want to travel as far east as Montauk.

East Hampton and Three Mile Harbor

East Hampton has charter fishing activity centered around local marinas and Three Mile Harbor. Boats departing from this area can reach Gardiners Bay, Block Island Sound, waters around Montauk, and the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on the season and target species, trips range from shorter inshore excursions to full-day offshore charters.

Three Mile Harbor is especially convenient for visitors staying near East Hampton, Springs, Amagansett, or elsewhere on the South Fork. The exact fishing grounds depend on the captain’s home marina, sea conditions, the seasonal movement of fish, and the species being targeted.

Freeport and the Nautical Mile

Freeport is one of the principal charter-fishing centers in Nassau County. Boats operating near the Nautical Mile can travel through local channels and Reynolds Channel toward Jones Inlet, South Oyster Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Freeport offers a mixture of private charter boats and larger passenger vessels. Depending on the season, trips may target fluke, striped bass, black sea bass, porgy, bluefish, tautog, sharks, and a variety of offshore species in the Atlantic Ocean. Its location in western Nassau County makes Freeport one of the island’s most accessible charter ports for anglers traveling from western Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, or New York City.

Point Lookout

Point Lookout sits at the eastern end of the Long Beach Barrier Island and provides convenient access to Reynolds Channel, Jones Inlet, and the Atlantic Ocean. Fishing boats operating from the Point Lookout area can quickly reach productive South Shore fishing grounds without first traveling through one of the island’s larger bays.

Charters departing from Point Lookout may target inshore species such as fluke, striped bass, black sea bass, bluefish, porgy, and tautog, while longer offshore trips into the Atlantic Ocean pursue sharks, tuna, and other pelagic species. The community is a convenient departure point for anglers living in western and central Nassau County and nearby parts of Queens.

Babylon, Bay Shore, and the Great South Bay

The central South Shore offers charter and open-boat fishing opportunities in and around Babylon, Bay Shore, and neighboring waterfront communities. Boats departing from this region have direct access to the Great South Bay, Fire Island channels, South Shore inlets, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Bay fishing can be suitable for families and less-experienced anglers because some trips remain in more protected waters. Ocean trips may require traveling through an inlet and can involve rougher conditions. Target species may include fluke, striped bass, weakfish, bluefish, black sea bass, porgy, and tautog.

Oakdale, Sayville, and Patchogue

Oakdale, Sayville, West Sayville, and Patchogue are additional starting points for fishing trips on the central and eastern Great South Bay. Local charter boats may operate from private marinas, public docks, and waterfront facilities along the bay and its connected rivers, creeks, and channels.

These ports can be especially convenient for anglers living in central Suffolk County. Depending on the operator, trips may remain within the Great South Bay or travel through Fire Island’s inlets into the Atlantic Ocean. Because charter fleets in these communities are generally more dispersed than those in Captree State Park or Montauk, reservations are typically made directly with individual captains.

Port Jefferson and Long Island Sound

Port Jefferson Harbor is one of the principal boating centers on the North Shore. Charter boats departing from the harbor fish Long Island Sound and nearby North Shore waters. Depending on the season, common target species include striped bass, bluefish, porgy, black sea bass, fluke, and tautog.

Fishing on Long Island Sound differs from South Shore ocean fishing because boats operate within a large protected body of water rather than directly along the open Atlantic Ocean. Conditions can still become rough, particularly when winds increase, but Long Island Sound charters are often a good choice for anglers seeking productive saltwater fishing without traveling through a South Shore inlet.

Huntington and Northport Harbors

The Huntington area has an active boating community centered around Huntington Harbor, Huntington Bay, Centerport, and nearby Northport Harbor. Fishing charters departing from these western and central North Shore ports generally target species found in Long Island Sound.

Huntington is conveniently located for anglers in western Suffolk County and eastern Nassau County. Depending on the season, captains may pursue striped bass, porgy, black sea bass, bluefish, fluke, and tautog around reefs, shoals, rocky structure, harbors, and deeper portions of Long Island Sound.

Oyster Bay and Western Nassau County

Oyster Bay and Oyster Bay Harbor provide another North Shore departure point for private fishing trips. Boats can travel from the protected harbor into Long Island Sound, where seasonal fishing opportunities include striped bass, bluefish, porgy, black sea bass, fluke, and tautog.

Additional western North Shore charter opportunities may be found around Glen Cove, Hempstead Harbor, Manhasset Bay, and Port Washington. Charter fleets in these areas generally consist of individual private operators rather than large, centralized party-boat basins, so advance reservations are recommended.

Greenport, Orient, and the North Fork

The North Fork has charter boats operating from Greenport, Orient, and other waterfront communities. These eastern departure points provide access to the Peconic Bays, Gardiners Bay, Long Island Sound, Plum Gut, the waters around Fishers Island, and Block Island Sound.

North Fork trips may target striped bass, porgy, black sea bass, fluke, bluefish, and tautog. The strong tidal currents found near Plum Gut and other narrow passages can create exceptionally productive fishing, but they also require local knowledge and careful navigation. Hiring an experienced local captain is especially valuable for anglers who are unfamiliar with these waters.

Private Charters, Party Boats, and Open Boats

A private charter reserves the boat for one group. The price is usually based on the boat and trip rather than the number of passengers, although every vessel has a passenger limit. Private trips offer more control over the departure time, fishing style, target species, and experience level.

A party boat is a larger vessel that sells individual tickets and carries multiple groups on a scheduled fishing trip. Party boats are generally less expensive per person than private charters and can be a good choice for individuals, couples, families, and small groups. They are especially common at Captree State Park, Montauk, and several other established fishing ports across Long Island.

An open-boat trip falls between the two formats. A captain announces a trip for a particular date and target species, and individual anglers reserve separate spaces. Open boats often carry fewer passengers than traditional party boats while allowing customers to avoid the full cost of a private charter.

What Kind of Trip Should You Book?

Half-day trips are often the best choice for beginners, children, and visitors who want a shorter experience. These outings commonly remain in protected bays, harbors, Long Island Sound, or nearshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Full-day trips provide more time to reach distant fishing grounds, adapt to changing tides and weather conditions, and target a wider variety of species.

Offshore trips are designed for anglers seeking tuna, mahi-mahi, sharks, tilefish, or other species found farther from shore. These excursions may leave very early, remain at sea for an entire day, and travel many miles into the Atlantic. Offshore fishing is usually more expensive and physically demanding than an inshore trip.

What Is Usually Included?

Most Long Island fishing charters and party boats provide rods, reels, bait, tackle, required safety equipment, and assistance from the captain and crew. Many also clean or fillet legally retained fish at the end of the trip. Exact services vary, and fish-cleaning fees may be included, charged separately, or handled through crew gratuities.

Passengers may need to bring food, nonalcoholic drinks, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a cooler to leave in the vehicle for transporting fish home. Some operators restrict glass containers, hard coolers, alcohol, or certain types of footwear. Always ask what is permitted before arriving.

Do Charter Passengers Need a Fishing License?

Passengers fishing aboard an appropriately licensed party or charter boat in New York’s marine and coastal district generally do not need to enroll separately in the New York Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. The exemption applies when fishing aboard the properly licensed vessel. Anglers fishing independently before or after the trip may still need their own registry enrollment.

Freshwater fishing has different licensing requirements, and unusual trips may be subject to different rules. Review our guide explaining whether you need a fishing license and confirm the requirements with the captain before departure.

What to Ask Before Booking

Before paying a deposit, confirm the departure marina, trip duration, passenger limit, target species, total price, accepted payment methods, and what equipment is included. Ask whether the trip is private, open boat, or party boat; whether fish cleaning is available; how gratuities are handled; and whether fuel, bait, or offshore surcharges apply.

You should also understand the operator’s cancellation and weather policies. Captains may cancel, postpone, shorten, or redirect a trip when wind, waves, thunderstorms, visibility, mechanical problems, or other conditions make the original plan unsafe. A reputable captain will place passenger safety ahead of reaching a particular fishing ground.

Quick Facts

Charter Information	Details
Major Departure Areas	Captree State Park, Montauk, Hampton Bays, Freeport, Point Lookout, Babylon, Bay Shore, Oakdale, Port Jefferson, Huntington, Oyster Bay, Greenport, and Orient.
Trip Formats	Private charters, ticketed party boats, and shared open-boat trips.
Common Inshore Species	Striped bass, fluke, black sea bass, porgy, bluefish, weakfish, and tautog.
Common Offshore Targets	Tuna, mahi-mahi, sharks, tilefish, and other offshore species.
Typical Trip Lengths	Half-day, full-day, evening, night, and extended offshore trips.
Usually Included	Rods, reels, bait, tackle, safety equipment, and assistance from the captain and crew.
Marine Registry	Passengers aboard an appropriately licensed saltwater party or charter boat generally do not need separate marine registry enrollment while fishing from that vessel.
Before Booking	Confirm the departure location, total price, trip format, target species, equipment, cancellation policy, and what passengers should bring.

From ticketed party boats at Captree State Park to private offshore charters departing from Montauk, Long Island offers fishing trips for nearly every experience level, group size, and budget. Choosing the right departure port begins with deciding whether you want to fish a protected bay, Long Island Sound, the Peconic Bays, nearshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean, or offshore canyons and deepwater fishing grounds. For more information about local fish species, fishing areas, regulations, and ways to fish across the island, visit our complete Long Island fishing guide.