Over 200,000 fishermen have found their way down to the Port Jefferson waterfront and stepped aboard one of our boats. That's a lot of first casts, a lot of laughs, and a lot of bags of fresh fillets heading home at the end of the day. If you've been searching for the top fishing charters near me and you're somewhere on Long Island — or coming in from the city — there's a good chance Celtic Quest is closer than you think, and the water is calmer than you'd expect.
Getting to Port Jefferson from Your Corner of Long Island
From the west — Huntington, Hauppauge, Smithtown — you're looking at a straightforward North Shore drive, usually 20 to 30 minutes depending on where you're starting. Coming from NYC or Nassau? Take the LIE eastbound and head north. Figure roughly 90 minutes to two hours, and you'll roll right into one of the prettiest harbor villages on Long Island.
Rather leave the car at home? The LIRR Port Jefferson Branch drops you right in the village, a short walk down to the marina. A lot of our NYC day-trippers do exactly that — it makes for a wonderfully easy morning. Once you're here, you'll spot the Port Jefferson Ferry terminal right in the harbor. We're right there.
When you're ready to map everything out, our Directions & Parking page has all the details. We'll also send you the full logistics when you book — it's an easy spot to find once you know where you're going.
What Fishing Out of Port Jefferson Actually Feels Like
Long Island Sound is a different experience than ocean fishing. The water is calmer, more protected — the kind of ride that puts first-timers at ease and lets families relax and actually enjoy themselves. Our boats help too. Celtic Quest IV is 70 feet and Celtic Grace is 80 feet. These are stable, comfortable vessels with plenty of room to move around, laugh, and really settle in.
Everything is included when you step aboard: rods, bait, tackle, your fishing license, and fish cleaning by our crew at the end of the trip. You bring yourself and whatever snacks you feel like packing. We handle the rest.
The season runs April through November out of Port Jefferson, with the real momentum building through spring and into summer. Porgies, fluke, sea bass, striped bass — whatever's running, the crew knows exactly what to do. I've seen people who swore they'd never catch anything go home with a cooler bag full of fillets and a completely different relationship with Long Island Sound.
Take a look at what kinds of trips we run — there's usually something that fits exactly what you have in mind.
Who Comes Out on These Trips
All kinds of people, honestly. Families with kids — we love first-timers, and our crew is wonderful with younger anglers (ages 5 and up are welcome). Corporate groups who spend long hours at the office and need a day where everyone just exhales and has fun together. Bachelor parties, birthday groups, fire departments, church groups — we run private charters for all of them. And yes, experienced anglers who want to get into some serious fish. Beginners and regulars both leave happy.
Some of my favorite trips have been with people who showed up a little nervous and left already talking about when they're coming back. That never gets old.
After your trip, Port Jefferson Village is right there waiting — great restaurants, shops, and waterfront views within easy walking distance of the dock. The Steam Room has been serving anglers right by the water since 1977. It's a natural way to wrap up a good day.
If you want to know a little more about who we are and how we got started, the About page has the full story.
What to Look For When Searching Top Fishing Charters Near Me
When you're evaluating a charter, a few things matter more than anything else. How long have they been running? Do they know these waters personally? Is everything included, or are there surprises waiting for you at the dock?
Celtic Quest has been running out of Port Jefferson since 2001 — 25 years of these tides, these fish, these seasons. Our crew handles everything: license, bait, tackle, fish cleaning, all wrapped into your fare. No surprises. We're a family-owned operation, and that difference shows up in how we treat people.
We're proud of our 100+ five-star reviews, our BBB Accreditation, and our 2024 Bethpage Award. But honestly, the thing that means the most is that so many of our customers come back year after year. That's the number I care about most.
The North Shore location is worth mentioning too. Long Island Sound typically offers calmer waters than the open ocean — especially meaningful for groups with kids, first-timers, or anyone who isn't quite sure how they feel about being out on the water. That gentler ride lets people relax and actually focus on having fun.
If you've got questions before you book — and most people do — our FAQ page covers just about everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any fishing experience to come aboard?
Not at all. Our crew takes care of everything — setting up your rod, showing you how to cast, helping you land your fish. We love first-timers. You just show up and enjoy the day.
What's included in the price?
Everything you need to fish: rods, tackle, bait, your New York fishing license, and fish cleaning and bagging by our crew at the end of the trip. Bring yourself, bring snacks, bring a cooler if you'd like — we've got the rest covered.
Can I bring kids?
Absolutely. We welcome anglers ages 5 and up, and our crew is experienced with younger fishermen. Child rates are available through age 12. It's one of the best ways to get kids off screens and onto the water.
What fish might we catch out of Port Jefferson?
It depends on the time of year, but throughout the season you might come home with porgies, fluke, sea bass, striped bass, and bluefish, among others. Our crew stays current on what's biting and puts you in the best position to catch fish. For the latest, check our fishing reports page.
What are the rules around alcohol and food?
Beer and wine are welcome aboard. Hard liquor is not permitted. Food is bring-your-own — small coolers are fine. It's a relaxed, comfortable environment.
Do you run private charters?
We do, and they're a lot of fun. Bachelor parties, corporate groups, birthdays, family reunions, fire and police departments — we've hosted all of them. Visit our trips page to see what's available, or give us a call and we'll help you put something together.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
If you know your dates, the booking page is the easiest next step. If you'd rather talk it through first — group size, time of year, private charter or open boat — just give us a call. We love answering questions.
📞 (631) 928-3926 | ✉️ Office@CQFleet.com
Late spring and early fall tend to be sweet spots for great fishing and comfortable weather, but there's something worth doing through most of the season. We'd love to have you aboard.
The New York DEC's fishing regulations page has current season and size information if you're curious — and our crew stays on top of all of it so you don't have to think twice.
Celtic Quest Fishing | 118 West Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 | celticquestfishing.com