Summer fishing out on the water is immensely popular for both New Yorkers and visitors from out of state. It has some of the most beautiful views of any fishing spot, with species that are active all day and night with some of the most productive fishing grounds anywhere in the Northeast.
But anyone who has spent a few hours on the open water in late spring and summer knows that the heat out there operates differently than it does on land — and if you haven’t prepared for it, or chosen your boat carefully, it can turn an otherwise great day into an uncomfortable one.
Heat on the Water Is Different
The temperature at the dock and the temperature out on the water are not the same number, and they don’t feel the same either. A few things combine to make summer heat on the water more intense than the same air temperature on land.
The sun reflects off the water surface and hits you from below as well as above. On a bright summer day, that reflected light and heat adds meaningfully to what you’re absorbing. There’s no shade on an open deck unless someone has provided it, and the breeze that makes the water feel pleasant in mild weather can be absent on still summer days when conditions are calm and flat.
Humidity is also a factor. New York summers run humid, and humidity on the open water — particularly in bay and harbor areas — tends to be higher than inland. Heat index figures, which account for humidity in the felt temperature, regularly push well above 90°F in July and August even when the actual air temperature is more moderate. On the water, with sun reflection added in, the felt temperature on an exposed deck can exceed that significantly.
The result is that a six or seven hour fishing trip in summer involves sustained heat exposure at an intensity that most people underestimate when they’re planning the day from an air conditioned apartment.
What That Means for Your Trip
It’s important to be prepared, and to know that you’re on the right boat for your needs.
Dehydration sets in faster than most people expect when they’re in direct sun for extended periods, particularly if they’re active and not drinking consistently. Sunburn on the water happens faster than on land for the same reason that the heat is more intense — sun hitting from multiple angles and reflecting off the surface.
Fatigue from sustained heat exposure affects how much people enjoy themselves by the end of a long trip. A passenger who was enthusiastic at 7 AM can be genuinely drained by early afternoon if they’ve been standing on an exposed deck in July heat for several hours without a place to cool down.
Children and older passengers feel heat more acutely than healthy adults in their prime, and summer fishing trips that include family members across a range of ages need to account for that.
None of this means summer fishing is a bad idea — it’s one of the best times to be out on New York waters. It means that how you prepare, and which boat you choose, matters more in summer than in any other season.
The Cabin Makes a Difference
The Marilyn Jean IV has a temperature-controlled cabin, and in summer that’s not a minor amenity. It’s the difference between a day that’s enjoyable from start to finish and one that becomes a test of endurance by early afternoon.
Passengers can step off the deck and cool down when they need to, then head back out to fish. Children who are flagging in the heat have somewhere to recover. Family members who aren’t as heat-tolerant as the dedicated anglers in the group have a comfortable space to spend time without having to tough it out on an exposed deck. The cabin functions as a reset — a place to get out of the sun, drink some water, and come back to the rail ready to fish again.
On a seven-hour summer trip departing from Sheepshead Bay, that kind of comfort infrastructure changes the whole shape of the day. Passengers arrive at the end of the trip having actually enjoyed themselves throughout, rather than counting down the last two hours until they’re back at the dock.
What to Bring Regardless
Even with a comfortable cabin available, it’s best to prepare for the summer heat. Apply sunscreen during departure and reapply during the trip. Consider staying ahead of hydration by drinking water throughout the day rather than waiting until you’re thirsty. Wear a hat with a brim and polarized sunglasses to protect against both sunburn and glare off the water.
You should also wear light, breathable clothing that covers more skin than shorts and a t-shirt, so that you can block some of the sun without adding too much uncomfortable heat.
Comfortable Fishing All Summer
Marilyn Jean Fishing runs public fishing trips and private charters out of Sheepshead Bay throughout the summer, targeting fluke, porgy, striped bass, and other seasonal species. The Marilyn Jean IV is a 70-foot vessel certified for up to 110 passengers, equipped with the latest navigation and fish-finding technology, and outfitted with the temperature-controlled cabin that makes summer trips genuinely comfortable from departure to return.
To see upcoming trips, check the schedule, or book a private charter, visit mj2fishing.com or call 347-952-1442.