Striped bass have been running through Long Island Sound for thousands of years. And every spring, when the water warms and the fish push in off the beaches, the phone at Celtic Quest starts ringing with the same question: "Can we book a private striped bass charter?" The answer is yes — with one thing worth knowing upfront. A private striped bass charter on the Sound is genuinely exciting, but it lives and dies by the tides, the bait, and the conditions on any given morning. That's not a caveat — that's the magic of it. Our captains have spent 25 years learning these waters, and when the fish are moving, there's nothing quite like it.
Quick Facts — Private Striped Bass Charters at Celtic Quest
- 🎣 25 years running charters on Long Island Sound
- 🚢 Private bookings: your group has the whole boat
- 📅 Best windows: late May–June and September–October
- ✅ All gear, bait, fishing license, and fish cleaning included
- 📍 Departing from Port Jefferson, NY — about 2 hours from NYC
On This Page:
- What's Included on Your Private Charter
- Who This Trip Is For
- When Striped Bass Are Running on the Sound
- How a Private Striped Bass Charter Works
- Pricing & How to Book
- Ready to Chase the Stripers?
What's Included on Your Private Charter
When you book a private charter with us, everything is taken care of. Fishing rods, all tackle, fresh bait, your New York fishing license, expert crew guidance throughout the trip, fish cleaning and filleting by our mates at the end, and bags to bring your catch home — it's all covered in the charter rate. No surprises, no extras to worry about.
The big difference between a private charter and our open boat trips comes down to one thing: exclusivity. Your group has the whole vessel to yourselves. No strangers alongside you, no open-boat crowd — just your people, your trip, your day on the water.
That privacy changes everything about how the crew can serve you. On a private charter, our mates give your group their full attention. They'll help the first-timers get comfortable, keep the action going, and make sure everyone on the boat is having a genuinely wonderful time from the moment you leave the dock.
We run two vessels — the Celtic Quest IV (70 feet, up to 120 passengers) and the Celtic Grace (80 feet, up to 129 passengers, with full cabin and restroom facilities). Which boat you're on depends on your group size and availability at booking — our office will match you with the right vessel when you call. Take a look at our full list of trip types to see everything that's available across the season.
Who This Trip Is For
The groups that come out for private striped bass charters are wonderfully varied. Some are tight circles of friends who've been fishing together for years and want a dedicated day targeting bass. Others are families passing a tradition down a generation — grandparents, parents, and kids all on the same boat, all in it together. Corporate teams book private charters when they want something more engaged and memorable than a dinner out. Milestone birthday groups love the combination of adventure and celebration.
No fishing experience is needed whatsoever. Our crew handles the gear, the bait, and all the technique — they genuinely love teaching people who've never held a rod before. On a private charter, first-timers and experienced anglers fish side by side comfortably, because the crew reads the group and calibrates to everyone on the boat.
Private charters work for groups of almost any size, up to the capacity of the vessel. Smaller groups get an intimate, focused experience where the crew is right there with you all day. Larger groups get the energy and excitement of a full boat that belongs entirely to you.
When Striped Bass Are Running on Long Island Sound
Striped bass move through Long Island Sound in two natural windows, and both are worth knowing about.
The spring run typically begins as water temperatures rise in May. By mid-May, in most years, the fishing can be genuinely exciting — and this window has the added bonus of excellent porgy and fluke action happening at the same time. A private striped bass charter in late May or June often delivers a real mixed bag, which means everyone on the boat stays busy and happy even on days when the bass are being selective.
The fall run is something special. As waters cool through September and October, striped bass and bluefish return strong. That said, those trips are tied closely to tides and conditions, so we don't typically lock them into a charter date months in advance — to fish them right, you have to fish them at the right moment.
Here's something I always tell groups who call about booking: we push most private charters toward mixed-bag bottom fishing, because it's simply more reliable for groups. Striped bass trips are real and available — they just reward a little flexibility. Trust your captain to read the conditions, and you'll fish the right thing on the right day. That's 25 years of experience working in your favor.
Every season is a little different. Our crew tracks current conditions so your group fishes the right window. Check our fishing reports for the latest from the water.
Our crew stays current on all New York fishing regulations — for the official rules on striped bass, the NY DEC Marine Fisheries page is the authority and worth a look before your trip.
How a Private Striped Bass Charter Works
The process is simple, and we're happy to walk you through every step when you call.
Reach out to the office. Call us at (631) 928-3926 or email Office@CQFleet.com. Tell us your group size, your preferred dates, and what kind of experience you're hoping for. We'll talk through the options with you.
We find your window. Based on the season and typical conditions, we'll help you pick a date that gives your group the best shot at a great day on the water. We'll be honest with you about what's likely to be running when.
Book and confirm. We'll sort out the vessel, confirm your date, and send you everything you need to know — where to park, what to bring, what time to arrive.
Show up and enjoy. Arrive at 118 West Broadway, Port Jefferson about 45 minutes before departure. Our crew takes it from there. You focus on your group and having a wonderful time.
Take your fish home. At the end of the trip, our mates clean and fillet your catch. You head home with fresh fish and a day you won't forget.
Pricing & How to Book
Private charter rates vary based on your group size, the day of the week, and the time of season — so the best thing to do is give us a call or visit our booking page and we'll put together the right package for your group.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Beer and wine are welcome aboard. Hard liquor is not permitted.
- Bring your own food — small coolers are fine.
- Cancellations made 48 or more hours before departure receive a full refund. Weather cancellations are at the captain's discretion, and we'll always offer a full refund or credit.
- Gratuity for the crew is always appreciated — our mates work hard for your group and the standard is around 20%.
Our FAQ page covers the most common questions we hear before you call.
Ready to Chase the Stripers?
We'd love to help you plan a day on the Sound. Our crew is ready to make it a great one.
Call us: (631) 928-3926
Email: Office@CQFleet.com
Book online: celticquestfishing.com/book-your-fishing-trip/
We're here Monday through Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The water's waiting — we'd love to get you out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need fishing experience to book a private striped bass charter?
Not at all. Our crew takes care of everything — the rods, the bait, the setup, and all the guidance you need. They genuinely enjoy working with first-timers and will have anyone in your group fishing comfortably within minutes of leaving the dock. Experienced anglers are equally welcome, and our mates are happy to work at whatever level fits your group.
Can you guarantee we'll catch striped bass?
We can't guarantee any specific catch — no honest charter captain can. What we can promise is that our crew knows these waters as well as anyone on Long Island Sound, and they'll put your group in the best possible position on the day. When conditions are right and the fish are moving, striped bass fishing on the Sound is genuinely thrilling.
What are the best months for a private striped bass charter?
In most years, late May through June is a wonderful window — the spring run is underway, the weather is beautiful, and the fishing is often excellent. September and October bring the fall run, which can be even more exciting. We'll help you pick the right date when you call, and we'll be honest about what the season is looking like at that point.
How many people can come on a private charter?
Our fleet includes two large vessels — the Celtic Quest IV (70 feet, up to 120 passengers) and the Celtic Grace (80 feet, up to 129 passengers). Private charters work for a wide range of group sizes. When you call, we'll match your group to the right boat based on size and availability.
What should we bring on the trip?
We provide all fishing gear, bait, and your New York fishing license — that's all covered. Bring comfortable clothing and layers (it can be cool on the water even in summer), any food and non-alcoholic drinks you'd like, and beer or wine if you'd like a drink during the trip. Hard liquor is not permitted onboard. Closed-toe shoes with grip are always a good idea on deck.
Where do you depart from, and how far is it from New York City?
We depart from 118 West Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, right in the Port Jefferson Marina on Long Island's North Shore. Port Jefferson is about 60 miles east of New York City — roughly a two-hour drive, or accessible by the LIRR Port Jefferson Branch. Full directions and parking information are on our directions page.
How far in advance should I book a private charter?
We recommend reaching out as early as possible, especially if you have specific dates in mind. June is our busiest month of the year, and popular dates fill up quickly. We always do our best to accommodate groups on shorter notice when we can — so feel free to call even if your trip is coming up soon.