One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. It’s finally summer and for avid fishermen, that means an all-time high for the freshest catch. If you are interested in spending the day fishing on Long Island, which is perhaps one of the best Long Island activities an islander could do, consider going out on a party boat and assemble your own crew. A fisherman’s dream, Long Island is plentiful with fishing ports, especially those of Freeport, Huntington, Port Washington and Oyster Bay.
A party boat can be out on the ocean with 50 strangers or you can charter smaller boats with five or 10 of your closest friends for a one-of-a-kind private boating experience. It’s fishing season for fluke, flounder, weakfish, stripers, bluefish, blackfish, sea bass and porgy.
Consider catching yours at these charter boat ports, set sail and enjoy the day at sea.
Inspiration Wharf
405 Main St., Port Washington
718-659-8181
www.theangler.com
The Angler Fleet offers private charters, open boat fishing trips, harbor cruises and fireworks cruises in the beautiful town of Port Washington. Fishing tours are open to the public, and reservations are recommended. With half-day fluke tours everyday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., as well as some night-fishing for striped bass and bluefish from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., grab your buddies for a day out at sea. Cruising charters start at $20 per person. Fishing charters start at $34 per person. All fishing equipment, bait and safe dockside parking is included.
Captain James
Huntington
631-680-8159
www.jamesjosephfishing.com
New to fishing? Salt water bottom fishing is the easiest type of fishing to learn and The James Joseph II is a salt water bottom fishing boat that docks in Huntington on the north shore of Long Island. Fishing on the Long Island Sound is a great place to fish, so grab 144 of your closest friends and head on board The James Joseph II. With a fully stocked galley providing rods, bait and tackle, Captain James’ mates are experienced professionals and very helpful.
Captain Lou Fleet
28A Woodcleft Ave., Freeport
516-623-5823
www.captloufleet.com
The Captain Lou Fleet has been in the fishing party charter boat business since 1948 and specializes in private fishing charters, corporate outings, school field trips, summer camp fishing charters and more. Grab your pals for a half day fluke fishing trip, offered daily from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. throughout the summer when the fluke fish are in season. Have your summer already planned out? No problem. Captain Lou Fleet also has black fishing trips in October and November as well as sea bass and porgy trips in the late fall and winter months.
Island Princess Captree Fishing Boat
Captree State Park, 3500 Ocean Pkwy., Babylon
631-587-6024
www.islandprincesscaptree.com
cptbryan@islandprincesscaptree.com
Captain Bryan Sorice of the Island Princess Captree Fishing Boat is ready to take you out on the sea. The Island Princess is family owned and operated and Sorice is not only the owner; he comes with more than 20 years of experience as a captain. The friendly crew includes Captain Jimmy Higgins and members Cara, Katie, Eric and Kevin. Sorice’s wife Melissa and their daughter Sailor Page are also a part of the business and the warm, family atmosphere on board. Half-day fishing trips are available daily from March through November, with three trips being offered daily at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. You and your crew will sail out from Captree State Park, a mere few minutes from the hallowed fishing grounds of the Great South Bay and Fire Island inlet.
