Long Island Sound Fishing

Fishing the Long Island Sound: What to Expect Year-Round

By Captain Pedro DeCosta, Bluefin Sound Charters

There’s something special about fishing the Long Island Sound. Maybe it’s the early morning stillness before the tide turns. Maybe it’s watching a kid catch their first porgy. Or maybe it’s that heart-racing moment when a striper blows up on a topwater plug just off the bow. Whatever it is, the Sound delivers, and it does so all year long.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the water, here’s what you can expect during each season—and what we’re chasing here at Bluefin Sound Charters.

Spring: The Migration Awakens

April to June is a time of promise. As the water temps rise, striped bass begin their migration, filtering into the Sound from the Hudson and beyond. These early fish are hungry and often willing to take a well-placed lure or live bait.

It’s also the start of fluke and porgy season. We target sandy channels, drop-offs, and shallow structure.

What we’re fishing for:

• Striped Bass

• Fluke

• Porgy (Scup)

Tactics we love:

• Light tackle with soft plastics

• Drifting bucktails for fluke

• Squid-tipped rigs for easy porgy fun (great for kids!)

Summer: Family

-Friendly Fishing & Variety Galore

The summer heat brings variety and volume. The water teems with life—bluefish blitz the surface, sea bass hug the bottom, and fluke remain a staple. Porgy fishing turns red-hot, offering action for all skill levels.

It’s a great time for family trips, beginner anglers, and group charters. We tailor our outings to your crew—whether you’re looking for big fish or a cooler full of fillets.

What we’re fishing for:

• Bluefish

• Fluke

• Sea Bass

• Porgy

Why we love it:

• Consistent action

• Warm weather

• Perfect conditions for a relaxing day on the water

Fall: Trophy Season

If you’re looking for big stripers, bruiser blues, and hard-fighting blackfish (tautog), fall is your season.

September through November is the peak of the striper run. The Sound lights up with surface feeds and migrating bait balls. It’s the time of year when we chase fish that will leave your arms sore and your camera roll full.

What we’re fishing for:

• Striped Bass (trophy potential)

• Bluefish

• Tautog (Blackfish)

Techniques we use:

• Live eels and chunks for stripers

• Surface plugs for topwater action

• Green crabs and tautog jigs near rocky structure

Winter: The Quiet Bite

Even as the crowds disappear, the Sound still offers opportunity. Holdover stripers stay tucked in tidal rivers and warm outflows. While the fishing slows down, we do not offer any charters after December.

Ready to Fish the Sound with Us?

At Bluefin Sound Charters, we tailor every trip to your goals—whether that’s catching your first fish, filling the cooler, or chasing that fish-of-a-lifetime.

We provide the gear, the bait, and the local knowledge. You just bring the snacks and the smiles.

Let’s make it a trip to remember.

Book your charter today or call Captain Pedro

@ 914-494-6269