Rockfish Charters has been NYC’s premier saltwater fishing charter for more than 20 years, running an inshore and offshore operation specializing in trophy fish on light tackle for groups of up to six people, sailing daily during the season. The business runs a seasonal, dual-location schedule: Striped Bass fishing out of Howard Beach, Queens (right behind JFK Airport) from April 15-June 30 and again October 15-December 1, and Tuna fishing out of Center Moriches, NY (60 miles east of NYC) from July 1-October 15.
Trips run aboard a high-speed 39-foot Contender 39ST with a deep-V hull, powered by triple Yamaha F350 engines (1,000+ HP) cruising at 50 mph. The boat carries Garmin electronics, FLIR night vision, twin livewells, giant fish boxes, and a cabin with a bathroom and dry storage for comfort on longer trips. Fishing spans the full New York Bight — Raritan Bay, Ambrose Channel, Sheepshead Bay, Sandy Hook, Jamaica Bay, Breezy Point, Coney Island, Lower Manhattan, and both rivers — along with midshore and offshore spots like the Hudson Canyon, Triple Wrecks, Texas Tower, and dozens of lesser-known tuna grounds.
Spring (April-June) targets 30-50 inch Striped Bass on light tackle using live bait, stick baits, poppers, jigs, and flutter spoons, with June often the best month for consistently trophy-sized fish. Summer (July-mid October) shifts to Tuna season out of Center Moriches, with July and August offering epic surface feeds and popper-casting into whale-driven frenzies, and September/October bringing prime yellowfin chunking, often hand-feeding fish right behind the boat. The Fall Run (mid October-December) brings trophy Striped Bass migrating south alongside Bluefin Tuna, often within sight of land.
Guests can catch trophy Striped Bass beneath the Statue of Liberty or hook Bluefin Tuna with the Manhattan skyline in view, alongside frequent sightings of humpback whales and dolphins.
With 46 reviews at a 4.8 average, Rockfish Charters has built an excellent reputation as a genuinely established, high-performance NYC fishing operation.
For anglers looking for a fast, high-performance light tackle Striped Bass or Tuna charter fishing the full New York Bight, Rockfish Charters offers a highly reviewed, more than 20-year operation with a seasonal migration between Howard Beach and Center Moriches.
