Over 200,000 people have stepped off a Celtic Quest boat with a bag of fresh fillets, salt air in their hair, and a story they're still telling at dinner. If you're searching for top fishing charters and every result looks the same — national directories, generic "best of" lists, boats from a completely different coast — it's worth taking a moment to ask what "top rated" actually means to the people who've been out there. Not in Tampa. Right here on Long Island Sound, out of Port Jefferson, New York, where we've been doing this since 2001.
That's exactly what this page is here to answer.
Table of Contents
- What "Top Rated" Actually Means
- 25 Years on Long Island Sound
- Two Boats Built for a Great Day on the Water
- What You Get on Every Trip
- The Waters We Fish
- When to Book
- Open Boat or Private Charter?
- What People Are Saying
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Your Next Step
What to Look For in a Top Fishing Charter
- ✅ Years in operation and a verifiable track record
- ✅ All-inclusive pricing — rods, bait, tackle, license, fish cleaning
- ✅ Large, Coast Guard-inspected vessels with restrooms and covered space
- ✅ Experienced, patient crew for all skill levels
- ✅ Verified reviews from real customers on multiple platforms
What Top Fishing Charters Actually Have in Common
Not every charter that calls itself top-rated has earned it. So before you book anything, here's what we think you should actually be looking for — the things that separate a truly great day on the water from a forgettable one.
Years in operation. A charter that's been running for 25 seasons has navigated rough water, slow seasons, good years and hard ones. That kind of staying power means something. It means customers keep coming back, and word keeps spreading.
Vessel size and safety. Smaller boats can be fun on a calm day. On a choppy Long Island Sound morning, a 70- or 80-foot vessel is a completely different ride. Size brings stability, and stability makes for a better day — especially if you've got kids, first-timers, or anyone who's a little nervous about being on the water.
All-inclusive pricing. Some charters advertise a low fare and then add rods, bait, tackle, and a fishing license separately. Knowing exactly what you're paying — and what's covered — matters. No surprises when you get to the dock.
Crew experience. The mates on the boat shape the entire experience. A patient, skilled crew who can help a first-timer bait a hook and keep an experienced angler in the zone is worth more than any amenity on the vessel.
Verified reviews. Not a testimonial page the charter wrote themselves — real reviews on platforms like Yelp and Google, from real people who actually went out. Volume matters too. A hundred five-star reviews tells a very different story than a handful.
National aggregator sites list hundreds of charters but can't tell you what the water feels like off Port Jefferson in late May, or whether the mate is patient with a seven-year-old who just tangled his line for the third time. That's where local knowledge and real history come in — and it's something no directory can replicate.
Long Island Sound has its own personality. The species are different from the ocean. The tides are different. The seasonal rhythms are different. A captain who's been reading these waters for 25 years knows them in ways that simply can't be packaged into a listing page.
25 Years on Long Island Sound: The Celtic Quest Story
Captain Desmond O'Sullivan grew up in Port Jefferson. He came home to launch Celtic Quest Fishing in 2001 — starting modestly with a 45-foot vessel on moorings in Mt. Sinai Harbor, and building steadily from there. Today, we operate a fleet of two large boats out of Port Jefferson Harbor, serving everyone from families with young kids to corporate groups to lifelong anglers who've been fishing Long Island Sound for decades.
The numbers tell the story plainly: 200,000+ fishermen served. 1,000+ trips sailed. BBB Accredited. Bethpage Award 2024 recipient. 100+ five-star reviews.
We're not a corporate chain. We're not a booking platform. We're a family-owned, family-operated business — and when you call the office at (631) 928-3926, you're talking to someone who genuinely cares whether your trip goes well. That's been true since day one.
I've watched groups come aboard who'd never held a fishing rod in their lives and leave a few hours later with a bag of fresh porgies and a new favorite thing to do on Long Island. That never gets old. Not after 25 years. Not ever.
If you want to know more about where we came from and the crew who makes it all happen, you can learn more about our history and crew on our About page.
Two Boats Built for a Great Day on the Water
When you step aboard one of our vessels, you're stepping onto something built for exactly this. Not a repurposed tour boat. A purpose-built fishing charter with room to move, a stable ride, and everything you need for a great day on Long Island Sound.
Here's how the fleet breaks down:
| Celtic Quest IV | Celtic Grace | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 70 feet | 80 feet |
| Capacity | Up to 120 passengers | Up to 129 passengers |
| Style | Open-boat fishing | Fishing yacht with cabin |
| Restrooms | Yes | Men's & Women's |
| Heating / Cabin | Open deck | Full cabin + heat |
| Microwave | No | Yes |
Celtic Quest IV is 70 feet of open-boat fishing — rod storage, solid Detroit Diesel power, and a layout designed for people who are there to fish. Celtic Grace is our 80-foot fishing yacht: full cabin accommodations, heating, men's and women's restrooms, and a microwave onboard. She's a step up in comfort while still being every bit the fishing boat.
Both vessels are excellent for public open-boat trips and private charters alike. We match the boat to your group and your plans — just ask when you call and we'll talk through what makes the most sense for you.
You can see all available trip types on our trips page.
What You Get on Every Trip (No Hidden Surprises)
Every Celtic Quest trip — open boat or private charter — is fully all-inclusive. Here's what that means in practice:
- Fishing rods — provided and ready to go
- All tackle — we bring it, we rig it
- All bait — no stopping at a bait shop, no extra charge
- Fishing license — included in your ticket price
- Expert crew guidance — for first-timers and experienced anglers alike
- Fish filleting and cleaning — our mates handle it at the end of the trip
- Bags to take your catch home — because the whole point is the fish
That last one is always a crowd favorite. Watching the mate work at the cleaning station after a good trip — and then heading home with a real bag of fresh fillets — is the kind of thing people talk about for days.
No experience needed. Our crew genuinely loves helping beginners, and you'll be baited up and fishing before you know it. If you've never been out before and want to know what a typical day looks like, our article on what to expect on your first fishing charter walks you through the whole thing.
The Waters We Fish: Long Island Sound from Port Jefferson
Our home waters are Long Island Sound — and that matters more than people sometimes realize. The Sound fishes completely differently from the ocean. The water is generally calmer, the ride out is smoother, and the species are abundant throughout a long season.
From Port Jefferson Harbor, we fish a roughly 15-mile radius — west toward Smithtown Bay, east toward Shoreham. It's familiar water. Water we've been reading for 25 years.
Species you can expect across the season include porgies, sea bass, fluke, bluefish, striped bass, and weakfish — with blackfish (tautog) joining the mix in the fall at our Mattituck location. What's biting on any given day depends on the season and conditions, so we post regular updates on our fishing reports page. The New York State DEC is always the authority on current regulations, seasons, and size limits — our crew stays current on all of that so you don't have to think about it.
We also run trips from Jamesport in Peconic Bay in the spring and Mattituck on the North Shore in the fall — giving us more of the season, and more of the Sound, than most charters in Suffolk County can offer.
When to Book: The Best Windows for Top Fishing Charters
Our season runs from April through late November, but some windows are genuinely special.
Late May through the third week of June is the stretch we recommend most often for first-timers and groups. Porgy fishing is typically at its best, fluke are active, the weather is usually beautiful, and everyone's still around before summer vacation scrambles the calendar. June is our busiest month — and for good reason.
September is another gem. As the water cools, the fishing picks back up — porgies, sea bass, weakfish, bluefish — and the weather usually holds nicely. Groups who couldn't make it in June often find September to be every bit as rewarding.
July and August are great for parties and events. Long warm days, everyone in a summer mood, and plenty happening on the water. Fishing moderates a bit during the hottest weeks, but the energy on a summer afternoon trip is genuinely hard to beat.
October offers some of the most remarkable fishing of the year — though the weather can be unpredictable. Worth it if you're flexible on dates.
Open Boat or Private Charter — We've Got Both
Not sure which is right for you? Here's the simple version.
Open boat trips are our daily public trips — you reserve a spot, show up, and fish alongside other folks who had the same idea. Great for individuals, couples, and small groups who want a full fishing experience without booking the whole boat.
Private charters are exactly that — the boat is yours. Perfect for bachelor parties, corporate outings, birthday celebrations, family reunions, church groups, scout trips, and pretty much any occasion where you want your group together on the water. We've run them for fire departments, police unions, fundraisers, and memorial services. If it matters to you, it matters to us.
Our article on Party Boat or Private Charter — Which Trip Is Right for You? goes deeper on this if you're weighing the options.
What People Are Saying: 100+ Five-Star Reviews
We're proud of our reviews — not because we asked anyone to write them, but because they keep arriving on their own. Five stars on Yelp. Hundreds of happy customers who took a few minutes after their trip to tell other people about it. That kind of track record builds over 25 years of genuinely trying to give everyone a great day on the water.
Celtic Quest is a BBB Accredited Business and a 2024 Bethpage Award recipient. We're not the loudest name in the room. We're the one people keep recommending to their friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Celtic Quest one of the top-rated fishing charters on Long Island?
We'll let the record speak for itself. Celtic Quest has served 200,000+ fishermen since 2001, holds BBB Accreditation, earned the 2024 Bethpage Award, and has accumulated 100+ five-star reviews across multiple platforms. Captain Des O'Sullivan has been fishing Long Island Sound from Port Jefferson for 25 years. We think that's as honest a definition of "top rated" as you'll find.
What's included in a Celtic Quest fishing charter?
Every trip is fully all-inclusive: fishing rods, all tackle, all bait, your New York fishing license, expert crew guidance throughout the trip, and fish filleting and cleaning by our mates at the end. You bring yourself and something to eat and drink — we handle everything else.
Do I need any experience to book a top fishing charter?
None at all. Our crew takes care of everything and genuinely loves working with beginners. They'll get you set up, show you what to do, and cheer you on when you hook your first fish. All skill levels are completely welcome.
How big are the boats at Celtic Quest?
We operate two large vessels: Celtic Quest IV, a 70-foot open-boat fishing charter with capacity for up to 120 passengers, and Celtic Grace, an 80-foot fishing yacht with full cabin accommodations, heating, and men's and women's restrooms, accommodating up to 129 passengers. Both boats offer a stable, comfortable ride on Long Island Sound.
What fish can I catch on a Long Island Sound charter?
Throughout the season, you can expect porgies, sea bass, fluke, bluefish, striped bass, and weakfish — with blackfish (tautog) added to the mix in fall at our Mattituck location. What's biting on any given day depends on the season and conditions. Check our fishing reports for current updates, and the NY DEC website for the latest on regulations and seasons.
Can I book a private charter for a group or event?
Absolutely — private charters are one of our specialties. We've hosted bachelor parties, corporate team outings, birthday celebrations, family reunions, church groups, fire and police departments, fundraisers, and more. Both Celtic Quest IV and Celtic Grace are available for private bookings throughout the season. Reach out to us or call (631) 928-3926 to talk through your group's needs.
How far in advance should I book a top fishing charter?
The sooner the better, especially for private charters and peak-season dates. June fills up faster than almost any other month, and weekends go quickly throughout the summer. For open-boat public trips, you have a bit more flexibility — but we'd still recommend reserving your spot ahead of time rather than counting on walk-up availability.
Ready to See What a Top Fishing Charter Feels Like?
There's really only one way to know — and that's to come out on the water.
We're at 118 West Broadway in Port Jefferson Harbor, about 60 miles east of New York City. Open Monday through Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. You can book your trip online, call us at (631) 928-3926, or send an email to Office@CQFleet.com. For directions and parking details, our directions page has everything you need.
We'd love to have you out. That's not a sales line — it's just true.
