NYC BASS & TUNA FISHING
Inshore and offshore fishing charter specializing in catching trophy fish on light tackle!
ROCKFISH CHARTERS
Welcome to NYC’s premier saltwater fishing charter. Rockfish has been catering to families and novices, as well as the “hardcore” fisherman for over 20 years. We are a full-service charter operation running a high-speed, triple engine, 35’ center console fishing boat out of Jamaica Bay that will get you to prime fishing grounds safely, comfortably and quickly.
Picking up in Howard Beach, Queens, right behind JFK Airport, Rockfish is just 30 minutes from downtown Manhattan and close to Long Island highways.
Between April 15th and December 1st we offer standard half-day striped bass trips, from 6AM-12PM and 1PM-7PM. Between July 1st and Oct 15th we run offshore tuna charters from 3:30AM to around 2PM. You can book your preferred date below or call or text 347-661-4501.
The secret is out: some of the best fishing anywhere is right here in the New York City area. From catching trophy-sized striped bass right under the Statue of Liberty, to hooking bluefin tuna with the iconic skyline just off in the distance, we have a wide variety of species to target during our extended fishing season. Not only are you in for a day or night of top-notch fishing, but doing it next to some of the most famous landmarks in the world is truly remarkable. And don’t forget the spectacular sunrises & sunsets and frequent sightings of humpback whales and dolphins.
Raritan Bay. Ambrose Channel. Sheepshead Bay. Sandy Hook. Jamaica Bay. Breezy Point. Coney Island. Lower Manhattan. The East River. The Hudson River. The Atlantic Ocean. These areas and bodies of water are collectively referred to as the New York Bight. At Rockfish Charters we fish all of them throughout our extensive season, which runs April 15th through December 1st.
THE NY BIGHT
THE BOAT
Our flagship boat is a 2022, 35-foot Sportsman center console with triple Yamaha F300s, top-of-the-line Garmin electronics, twin livewells, ample seating, dual doors, and a cabin with bathroom and dry storage. With its deep-V hull, the Sportsman is the ideal choice for families, groups of up to 6, and anyone looking for an offshore trip. Its triple engines ensure we get to the fish first!
SEASON + PRIME TIMES
April, May and June are the perfect light tackle fishing time for trophy-sized striped bass – up to 50+ lbs. We start each trip cast netting bait then take off to wherever the fish are. Usually, we fish several bodies of water on any given trip, thanks to the speed and range of our boat. Depending on the day, we fish live bait, large stick baits, poppers, metal lip swimmers, and flutter spoons.
By the end of June we’re fishing the New York and New Jersey ocean bunker schools for big striped bass, fishing the New York Harbor after dark with live eels, and chasing bluefin tuna inshore and offshore. Close to land, the fluke, porgy, and seabass fishing is in full swing by then and it’s one of the nicest months to be out on a boat.
July through September is our peak offshore season. The yellowfin tuna bite is heating up, mahi mahi are beginning to appear, and we start doing offshore “mixed bag” trips – targeting mahi, tuna and tilefish all in one day. Closer to shore, cobia are mixing with striped bass in the ocean bunker schools and the chunk bite is going strong. Inshore during the day, we chase false albacore on ultra-light tackle.
October and November is the “Fall Run” for trophy striped bass making their way south to winter in the Chesapeake Bay. The fishing can be unforgettable and we always make sure to have a tuna popping rod on board in case the infamous “ghost” bluefin decides to make an appearance right off our ocean beaches.
Some years, the beginning of December can still have phenomenal striped bass fishing just minutes from the dock. On calm days inshore we usually get one last chance to chase bluefin tuna in shallow waters within sight of land.
