Category: Fishing NYC

 

Black sea bass season in NYC starts in the spring, but it is still going strong in the winter months as sea bass have made their way back down from New England to warmer waters in the mid-Atlantic. This is a great time of year for landing jumbo sea bass in the deeper waters off the coast of NYC. These tips can help you get the best catch this winter. 

Strategies for Catching, Keeping, and Cooking Sea Bass 

Sea bass are one of the fish in NYC that are as good to catch as they are to eat. They will put up a spirited fight when you hook one and provide a flaky fish with delicate flavor when you cook the fish up at home. You can use these tips to help you land the best black sea bass:

• Go to the Fish – Sea bass are bottom feeders that are typically around 80 to 100 feet deep, and often deeper during cold temperatures. Party boat fishing is the best way to get out to where black sea bass are since the waters will not often be deep enough with surf or pier fishing.
• Choose the Right Bait – When black sea bass are biting, they will go for almost anything, but in winter they can be a little pickier. Live baits or strips of fish will provide a scent that is more likely to entice sea bass to bite. 
• Know Where the Fish Are – In deep water, sea bass will spend the majority of their time in the shelter of underwater structures. Areas that have boulders or reefs on the sea floor are the most likely spaces to catch black sea bass, although it can be necessary to cover a wide area to determine just where sea bass are. In spring and early summer sea bass fishing, there is a potential for some top water fishing as well in which case you can use birds to direct you to the fish.
• Know the Fishing Limits -If you will be taking home fish, there is a limit of 3 fish per person or 6 per person when aboard a party fishing boat. Kept fish must be over 16 inches in length and the end of the black sea bass fishing season is December 31.
• Cook Them Correctly – One of the main benefits of black sea bass is eating the fresh fish you catch. To prepare fish correctly, you will want to bleed out the fish shortly after catching it and then fillet the fish to prepare it. Sea bass are generally easier to filet if you leave them sitting on ice for around 24 hours. The flavor of black sea bass works well in nearly any dish so you can adapt your meal to your tastes.

To take advantage of the last months of black sea bass fishing in NYC, join a party boat fishing trip aboard the Marilyn Jean. We are running full day fishing trips daily for sea bass, ling, and cod and can take you to great locations for catching this fish. Choose an upcoming trip and purchase tickets online.

 

Despite cooler temperatures and many fish heading south for the winter, there are still many fish in the waters off NYC that dedicated anglers can head out for. But fewer fish and slower feeding can often mean that fish like stripers or blackfish are a bit trickier to hook.

Fortunately, even if other fish are giving you trouble, spotting a school of bluefish almost always promises an exciting few hours of fishing. 

Why Bluefish Can Be the Key to Great NYC Winter Fishing

Bluefish are most numerous in NYC in the spring, summer, and fall, but many will remain behind into the winter. In almost all seasons, save for spawning season when bluefish can get a little skittish, they are highly active fish that often seem to go after anything you can throw at them.

Throughout the year, bluefish can be in bays and inlets, out in the surf, and further out in deep water. It is the deep water blues fishing that often yields the best results since they tend to be bigger. Inshore blues are often between 3 and 5 pounds, but offshore blues can get up to 20 pounds or more.

Some of the characteristics of bluefish that make them dependable and in demand for winter fishing in NYC include:

• Bluefish are Hunters – Blues often strike at anything that moves. They will often not eat everything they catch, but go after it for the thrill. If you put some bait in front of them, they will often snap it up.
• Bluefish Are Not Picky – Mackerel, menhaden, bunker, squid, or whatever else you have on hand will often be effective for bluefish. You may even get a bluefish bite when you are casting for stripers.
• Bluefish Swim in Schools – Blues gather together in schools with other bluefish of similar size. This means when you find one, you will have found dozens. This makes for great top water fishing as you can have fast-paced baits as soon as your cast hits the water. 
• Blues Put Up a Fight – Many anglers find that, pound for pound, the bluefish puts up one of the best fights of all of the fish around NYC. They are often highly spirited as you reel them in with a bit of danger from sharp teeth as you remove the hook to throw them back out.

Marilyn Jean Fishing is currently running evening fishing trips for stripers and blues almost every day departing from Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn at 7pm. Joining us for blues fishing often promises an action packed evening of fishing at top locations where fish are likely to be good sized for an impressive catch. See our upcoming trips and book your tickets on our calendar.

 

While many ling migrate south for the winter, enough remain behind off the coast of NYC, especially in the first months of winter, to provide a quality fishing experience and a tasty wintertime fish. Ling is a member of the cod family and what it lacks in appearance it makes up for in a good fight when you reel it in and its great taste when eaten fresh. Ling can also still give you a sizable catch, particularly later in the season during winter fishing trips.

If you are interested in catching lingcod this winter, here are some thoughts to help you get the most out of your fishing trip.

Considerations When Fishing for Ling in Winter

Ling are one of the fish that is active year round in NYC, although to a lesser extent in the winter. Having the right approach to ling fishing will increase your chance of a good catch:

 

• Head for Deep Water – Ling are a bottom feeding fish that will be out in deep water. For the biggest ling, you will want to be fishing in a depth of at least 250 feet with your efforts centered over rocky structures, reefs, or wrecks beneath the water. 
• Bait Options – Ling grow fast and will get relatively big, often around 2 feet at only 2 years of age, and you will want to use a larger bait to catch the largest fish. Whole fish or invertebrates such as mackerel or squid work well. Match the bait size to the size of the fish in your area for the best results. You can also use artificial lures to attract ling.
• Refine Your Technique – Ling are relatively strong, especially the larger fish that can weigh in at more than 20 or 30 pounds. You will need to carefully maneuver the fish free of reefs and rocks first, and then you should be able to reel it in with a steady pressure. When taking ling off the hook, watch for the teeth as they are extremely sharp and can snag your fingers as you remove the hook.

One of the best reasons to catch lingcod is that you get to bring home a great tasting fish. Ling tastes best when first caught and will deteriorate in taste quickly. If you are planning to take your fish home for eating, you want to cook it within a few days.

While some anglers are able to catch lingcod from shore, your best chance of a good catch this winter is by heading out into deep water where the most impressive fish typically are. Marilyn Jean Fishing runs trips full day fishing trips almost every day of the winter. We target ling and other bottom feeding fish in this area for a great winter fishing experience. See the upcoming trips that we have available here and purchase a ticket to hold your spot on board for lingcod and other winter fishing in NYC.

 

After other fish have migrated south for warmer waters, blackfish remain behind in the waters around NYC to provide an action-packed fishing experience even on the coldest days. Known as tautog or blackfish, these fish are actively biting in the winter months, giving avid anglers a good off season fish and new anglers a unique wintertime experience.

Yet tautog fishing still requires a careful and knowledgeable approach, although it promises to be an exciting one, and it is helpful to know what to expect before you get out on the water.

Maximizing Your Blackfish Catch 

Part of what makes blackfish fishing a favorite among anglers is also what makes it a challenge. Tautog is considered an intermediate fish because of its location and its strength. Blackfish are bottom feeders that hide in rocky outcroppings, reefs, shipwrecks, and other underwater structures, so getting your bait to them is already difficult, and once you have hooked one, a blackfish will put up a fight as it darts for cover.

These challenges make tautog fishing great any time of the year, but it becomes more difficult in the winter when fish in general move more slowly and become more particular about what they eat. These tips can help you better understand blackfish and how to catch more of them:

• It’s All About Location – With any fish, you will have significantly better luck when you go to where the fish are. With blackfish, this is even more important. Experienced anglers have found that blackfish are picky enough that fishing from different sides of the boat can yield significantly different results. Going with an experienced captain who knows how to set the boat directly over the underwater structure where a blackfish is will help your catch tautog.
• Mark the Structure – Blackfish live within a natural or manmade structure beneath the water. If you can, picture in your mind what the structure looks like and where you are trying to work your hook to. Getting to the right place will almost always take a few casts, but this can also help give you a better feel for your fishing spot and the possibility of discovering pockets of tautog.
• Use the Right Rod and Tackle – Tautog is known for stealing baits and tangling hooks so it is not unusual to have to cut a few lines free when tautog fishing. To reel in blackfish, you will need a heavy duty rod and line that are still sensitive enough to feel the more gentle tugs from blackfish. You will also need the right bait. Green or blue crabs are always a good option for blackfish, but the better option is to have multiple kinds of bait with you so that you can switch out depending on what tautog are going after on a particular day.
• Refine Your Technique – Timing is everything with tautog. Wait too long and your bait will have disappeared from the hook, but reel in too early and the fish will not have bitten yet. Tautog will often prepare their bait on the hook by nibbling at it before going for the bite. You will want to hook your bait firmly so that it does not fall off when the blackfish are nibbling. You also need to wait long enough to feel the bite before you start reeling in. 

When you can brave a colder day out on the water, tautog is one of the most exciting fishing experiences in NYC. At Marilyn Jean Fishing, we offer tautog fishing nearly daily throughout the winter – as well as other seasons if you prefer to wait for warmer weather. Our trips are led by an experienced captain who has been fishing in NYC for decades and is able to take you to the best spots for winter tautog fishing. Our crew can also provide helpful advice on how to best hook these fish. Check out our calendar for upcoming blackfish trips and purchase your tickets online to reserve a spot on board.

 

Striped bass are one of the most exciting fish to go for around New York. Their impressive size and the flight they put up when you hook one is Enough to make for a thrilling day on the water for fishermen of any experience level.

But the best part is that striped bass fishing does not end when the weather starts to get cold. While stripers are not as active when temperatures drop below 50 degrees, there are still many in the area around NYC and you can catch good-sized bass as long as you know where to go.

How to Catch Striped Bass in the Winter Months

Catch and release striper fishing in the winter can still yield decent results. The bass will have fed heavily in the fall to prepare for the leaner times, in addition to being older, meaning that there are large size bass ready to be caught in local waters. New York is far enough south that many will still remain. It is all about finding the right location and having the right methods to catch bass. The following tips can help:

• Find the Right Location – Before the breeding season starts, many stripers stay in deeper water throughout most of the day where the temperatures do not fluctuate as much. Throughout the winter, bass will often be further out and low in the water column.
• Location Changes with Time – Bass will come into shallower areas to feed because that is where their prey is. This is also a better time to catch bass since they are actively feeding and looking for a meal. Timing your fishing trips around feeding times, generally early morning or evening, and going to the areas where baths are likely to feed will yield better results.
• Look for Warm Areas – To escape colder temperatures, striped bass in New York will look for warmer water. This includes spots that receive ample sun throughout the day and have rocks or jetties around them to absorb that heat and then disperse it into the water. Areas where rivers or bays meet with the ocean are also good since the water in these tributaries will generally be warmer.

With the right location, the next step for catching striped bass in the winter is the right technique. Stripers are less active in cold weather and will conserve their energy. They will not go for food unless it is a larger meal. This means that any lures or baits that you use need to be enough to tempt a striper, so do not skimp with your baits.

Although fish are moving slower at this time of year, if you are casting for bass as opposed to trolling, the bait still needs to be moving fast enough to activate the bass’s predator response. Using a sharp upward movement with your bait or lure can help draw the fish’s eye and provoke it into biting.

To help you take advantage of all of the great winter striped bass fishing in New York, Marilyn Jean Fishing has fishing trips for stripers nearly every day throughout December and into the later winter months. Our trips are evening trips that depart at 7pm to provide a great fishing experience when local striped bass populations are feeding and most active.

With our frequent trips, we are also able to track the best locations for stripers from day to day so that we can take you right to fishing hotspots and help you get the most out of your evening NYC fishing trip. Purchase your tickets to reserve a spot on the Marilyn Jean and join one of our daily winter striped bass fishing trips.

 

With its Mid-Atlantic climate and the abundance of waterways and coastline, NYC can be an exceptional location for fishing, all without needing to leave the convenience or the excitement of the city. An NYC fishing trip is one of the best opportunities to enjoy local fishing with an experienced captain and a comfortable boat to get you to some of the area’s top fishing locations.

Marilyn Jean Fishing offers fishing trips in NYC with full day, half day, and evening experiences available. We give anglers of all experience levels an opportunity to catch a variety of fish on our fishing, departing nearly every day throughout the year so that you can participate in all of the fishing NYC has to offer. Join an upcoming trip by purchasing your tickets on our online calendar.

Experience an NYC Fishing Trip 

Marilyn Jean begins all of our trips at our dock in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, conveniently accessible from any area of NYC by subway, taxi, and car. For our fishing trips, we provide everything you need on board, including all baits and buckets, as well as rods, reels, and tackle available for rent and purchase. This makes it easy to fish whether you are visiting NYC or want to try fishing for the first time, even if you do not have your own equipment.

We also have a friendly crew that can help you with pointers if you are new to saltwater fishing or simply be there to help you bait hooks and clean your couch at the end of the day. 

Depending on the season and the time of day, we offer fishing trips for a wide range of fish aboard the Marilyn Jean, including:

• Striped Bass 
• Porgy
• Blackfish
• Ling 
• Cod 
• Fluke 
• Mackerel, and More 

On a fishing trip in NYC, Marilyn Jean Fishing takes you to a number of NYC’s leading fishing spots with a fleet equipped with powerful twin diesel engines to cut down on travel time and increase the amount of a fishing trip that you spend casting.

We will visit locations like Rockaway Beach, Sandy Hook, Coney Island, and others while you also get to see NYC from the water for stunning views and new perspectives.

Sign Up for a Fishing Trip NYC Today 

A fishing trip NYC is a great option for locals and tourists, children and adults, experienced anglers and beginners. Wherever you are coming from in NYC – Brooklyn, Staten Island, Long Island, Manhattan, and elsewhere – you can easily join a fishing trip aboard the Marilyn Jean. See all of the upcoming trips on our calendar and purchase tickets online to guarantee your spot on board.

Fishing is a great activity to enjoy in the Bronx. Whether you are an experienced angler or trying the spot for the first time, party boat fishing near the Bronx is convenient and exciting. 

Marilyn Jean Fishing has fishing trips for striped bass, fluke, tautog, and other fish in NYC. We have almost daily departures in Brooklyn from Sheepshead Bay, which provides easy access for the Bronx. You can see our fishing trip schedule on our calendar and buy your tickets online.

Fishing Trips Near the Bronx 

When you need things to do in the Bronx, a full day, half day, or evening fishing trip on the Marilyn Jean offers a chance to catch a variety of fish. The fish that we sail for, depending on the season, include:

• Striped Bass
• Cod
• Ling
• Blackfish
• Flounder
• Porgy

Your rod, reel, and high quality bait are included in the cost of the ticket, as are any tips you need regarding fishing techniques from our friendly crew. The ticket also includes cleaning for any catches you will be taking home with you.

About the Fishing Experience On Board the Marilyn Jean

At Marilyn Jean Fishing, we are able to provide the best party boat fishing experience for those in the Bronx and elsewhere in New York. Our trips give you a higher chance of catching fish and make it possible to spend a fantastic day on the water. Our fleet offers:

• Rapid Travel to a Variety of Destinations – We have twin diesel engines on our fleet, which let us travel quickly from our dock and between destinations, while also providing a smoother trip. This gives you the maximum amount of time to fish and the best chance of catching fish since we can try multiple destinations.
• Comfortable Ride – On board, we have clean bathrooms, decks with plenty of space to spread out with your party, kitchenettes, and interior seating if you need a break from the sun or wind.
• Up to Date Fishing Information – Our crews are also most likely to know where fish are because we fish almost every day and because we have many years of experience fishing around NYC. This means we know where to go and we know what to look for in order to give our customers the best shot at a successful fishing trip. 

We offer a variety of trips with different experiences, whether you want to fish for a certain type of fish or at a particular skill level. With trips nearly every day, you can always find a trip that works for you.

Plan a Fishing Trip on the Marilyn Jean

For those in the Bronx, a fishing trip on the Marilyn Jean is a great way to escape the city for a time and enjoy some of the best fishing NYC has to offer. Walk up tickets are available, space permitting, or you can purchase your tickets ahead of time for any upcoming trip online.

When you are looking for things to do in Queens, either as a local or a visitor, there are several nearby options for fishing. This is a great choice, providing excitement as you reel in fish and a relaxing day on the water.

Marilyn Jean Fishing runs our party boat fishing excursions from our dock conveniently located in Brooklyn, offering people from Queens a convenient way to enjoy saltwater fishing at the greatest spots around NYC. Our fishing trips depart daily, giving you options all year long. Check the calendar to see all of the different fishing trips we offer and purchase your tickets.

What to Expect on a Queens Fishing Trip

Our fishing trips depart from Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, which is easily accessible from Queens. There is both free parking and paid parking in the area, as well as a subway stop nearby.

On board, you will join a wide range of people of all ages, including both experienced and amateur anglers. You are welcome to bring your own rod and reel or use the rods and reels provided. We also provide bait, so you have everything you need to catch fish. You are also welcome to bring a cooler for snacks and drinks as our decks offer ample space for you to set up with your party. After we depart, we:

• Travel to Multiple Destinations – We go fast with the help of twin diesel engines, often able to go to multiple locations even on half day trips to increase the chances of a good catch. The different locations we go to include Jamaica Bay, Rockaway Beach, Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook Bay, Coney Island, and more.
• Variety of Fishing Experiences – With trips almost every day of the year, you can hook a range of different fish on different trips, such as striped bass, blackfish, cod, porgy, ling, summer flounder, and a range of other fish types.
• Offer Comfortable Sailing – Our boat is equipped with bathrooms, indoor cabin areas, and a kitchenette – all kept spotlessly clean – for you to use during your trip.

Trip options include half day, full day, and evening trips, making it possible to find a trip time that fits with your schedule and provides the type of experience you would like.

Why Experience a Queens Fishing Trip Aboard the Marilyn Jean

While there are many freshwater fishing experiences around Queens and saltwater fishing along the coast, heading out to fish on the Marilyn Jean is the most thrilling and convenient way to fish. It is also likely to provide a great experience with our:

• Our friendly crew is here to help you out on the trip by baiting hooks, untangling lines, and cleaning the fish you are keeping.
• Our Coast Guard inspected fleet has the latest navigational and safety equipment for a great trip.
• Current fishing reports for location accuracy on local fish populations.

These factors all make fishing in NYC one of the best experiences you can have, whether you live in Queens or visiting from elsewhere. 

Purchase Your Tickets for Queens Fishing

When you are looking for an opportunity to go fishing in Queens, joining a trip from Brooklyn on the Marilyn Jean is a great option. You can purchase tickets as a walkup as space permits, or reserve your space onboard by purchasing tickets for an upcoming trip through the online calendar.

Summer in NYC is coming to an end, but the fishing season is far from over. With the fall months likely to offer some of the best fishing of the year, now is a great time to start planning for fishing trips in NYC in order to have a shot at catching all the fish that are in this area during September, October, and November.

Best Fish to Catch in NYC in the Fall

For many of the migratory fish in NYC, fall provides a great time each year as the fishing season peaks and the fish begin to head back towards warmer waters in the south after having spent the summer. Other fish will often be extremely active in the fall as they participate in more aggressive feeding to build up their energy reserves for the winter months when food is scarce.

The different fish that are in season at this time of year include:

• Striped Bass
• Ling
• Tautog
• Scup
• Summer Flounder

There are multiple ways to fish for all of these different saltwater fish this fall, but many experienced and new anglers find that a fishing trip is the best way to get to where the fish are. It also gives them the best shot at catching a large number of fish, including a few impressive trophy fish.

This fall, the Marilyn Jean will run NYC fishing trips from Brooklyn with trips, departing every day and often with full day and half day options. A fishing trip on the Marilyn Jean promises a rewarding fishing trip, a chance to experience being on the water and fall weather, and a comfortable journey guided by a friendly captain and crew.

You can view all of our upcoming fishing trips on the calendar and purchase tickets for a fall fishing trip today.

Long Island has many great freshwater fishing spots in the local lakes and ponds, as well as saltwater fishing from many spots on the coast. Yet one of the best ways to access fishing around Long Island is aboard a fishing boat that can take you directly to the action and provide an opportunity to catch any of the wide range of fish in waters around Long Island, New York City, and New Jersey.

Marilyn Jean Fishing has almost daily fishing trips throughout the year. Our trips leave from Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn and head to many different fishing locations around Long Island and New York Harbor for a fishing experience for all ages. You can purchase tickets in advance for upcoming trips online.

What Do We Fish for on the Marilyn Jean

The harbors, bays, and inlets around Long Island and NYC are the ideal environment for a number of different fish species. Each season has a few fish populations at their peak, making for the year round opportunities for fishing around Long Island. We offer fishing trips for:

• Striped Bass
• Porgy
• Cod
• Mackerel
• Fluke
• Tautog, and Others

Trip options will vary throughout the year. All year long, we traditionally offer trips that leave in the morning and return mid afternoon, giving you an entire day of fishing in multiple offshore destinations.

We also offer half day trips at different times, perfect for those who are newer to fishing and looking to try it out, younger anglers, and visitors to Long Island who already have a full schedule of things to see and do. Evening trips are also a great option and often get you out on the water at the time which fish are most active.

About Marilyn Jean Fishing – The Leading Fishing Charter in Long Island, NYC, and More

Fishing on board the Marilyn Jean offers an exciting experience for everyone. For experienced anglers, it is a great way to get to some of the best locations and cast for fish you will not find elsewhere. It is also a great way to try out the sport of fishing since rods, reels, and bait are included in your ticket costs. Fishing is also a great tourist activity that provides a different way to see Long Island NYC.

When you sail on the Marilyn Jean, our local knowledge, years of experience, and well maintained fleet will make sure you have a good time and see a good catch. We are able to provide:

• Up to Date Knowledge- We have up to date fishing information and we continuously track where fish are, particularly migrating species like striped bass. Since we sail almost every day, we have first hand knowledge of these locations for the best chance of finding fish fast and accurately on your fishing trip.
• Comfortable Fishing Boats – Each of the party boats in our fleet have spacious and well lit decks, interiors with ample seating, and kitchenettes where you can microwave food while on board. They also have twin diesel engines that give us a faster traveling time and a smoother ride so the waters will not feel as rough.
• Friendly and Full Service Crew – Our crew handles baiting hooks, fish cleaning, and untangling lines. They can also give you pointers for catching a particular type of fish.

All of our trips leave from and return to our dock in Sheepshead Bay, which is located in Brooklyn. For those coming in from Long Island, the area around Sheepshead Bay has plenty of paid and free parking and also has a subway stop across the street for easy access from wherever you are in NYC.

Plan Your Long Island Fishing Trip on the Marilyn Jean Today

Whether you are a Long Island local or visiting the area, an NYC fishing trip is a cannot miss experience while you are here. We recommend guaranteeing your spot by purchasing your tickets ahead of time. You can see all of our upcoming trips on the online calendar and purchase your tickets directly from there.