NYC BASS & TUNA FISHING
Inshore and offshore fishing charter specializing in catching trophy fish on light tackle!
ROCKFISH CHARTERS
Welcome to Rockfish Charters, we’ve been NYC’s premier saltwater fishing charter for over 20 years!
From April 15th-June 30th and again from Oct 15th-Dec 1st we’re fishing the spring & fall runs for Striped Bass out of Howard Beach, Queens (right behind JFK airport).
From July 1st-October 15th we’re Tuna fishing out of Center Moriches, NY (60 miles east of NYC)
We are a full-service charter fishing operation running a high-speed, triple engine, 39 foot Contender that will get you to prime fishing grounds safely, comfortably and quickly.
We offer standard half-day striped bass trips from 6AM-Noon. Between July 1st and October 15th we run offshore tuna charters from 4:30AM to around 1PM. 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. These areas and bodies of water are collectively referred to as the New York Bight. Midshore and offshore we fish The Hudson Canyon, Triple wrecks, Bacardi, Texas Tower, Little Italy, Coimbra, Atlantic Princess, Chicken Canyon, Resor, Glory Hole, Mud Hole, plus dozens of lesser known mid shore tuna spots. At Rockfish Charters we fish all of them throughout our extensive season, which runs April 15th through December 1st.
THE NY BIGHT
Contender 39ST: The Legendary Offshore Fishing Machine
Our Contender 39ST is built for serious offshore trips. The deep-V hull provides a smooth, dry ride, carving through choppy seas with ease. Powered by triple Yamaha F300 engines, this large boat ensures you get to the fishing grounds quickly and safely. It’s fully equipped with Garmin electronics, Flir night vision, twin livewells, and giant fish boxes to keep your fresh caught tuna ice-cold. For your comfort, the Contender features a cabin with a bathroom and dry storage, making it the ideal choice for groups of up to five looking for the ultimate tuna or striped bass fishing trip.
THE BOAT
SEASON + PRIME TIMES
April, May and June are the perfect light tackle fishing time for 30"-50” striped bass. 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, jigs, and flutter spoons.
By the end of June we’re fishing the New York and New Jersey ocean bunker schools for really big striped bass, fishing the New York Harbor with live bait, and chasing bluefin tuna inshore and mid shore. June is probably the best month to catch trophy size bass consistently in our waters, with November being a close second.
July through mid October is our Tuna season leaving out of Center Moriches. July & August are prime times to see epic surface feeds, casting poppers into frenzied whale feeds and jigging underneath of them. For more leisurely fishing we can also troll, giving novice anglers a great shot at landing their first tuna. September and October and prime yellowfin chunking times, often hand feeding yellowfin right behind the boat. Late September through mid October we’re following the squid and scallop draggers, catching limits of yellowfin right in their wakes. Book a trip in July or August for exciting run & gun style sight fishing, September or October for big numbers of Yellowfin.
Mid October through December is the “Fall Run” for trophy striped bass making their way south to winter in the Chesapeake Bay. The fishing can be unforgettable with lots of keeper to 50” striped bass off the beaches and bluefin tuna only a few miles offshore, often within sight of land! The weather might be a little cooler, but the fishing is red hot!
