Picture your whole crew — just your people — casting off from Port Jefferson Harbor on a 70- or 80-foot vessel with Long Island Sound stretched out ahead of you. The rods are rigged. The bait is ready. All your group has to do is show up and enjoy the ride. That's what a private deep sea charter with Celtic Quest looks like: your group, your boat, your day on the Sound — April through November, out of one of the most charming harbor towns on the North Shore of Long Island.
On This Page
- What "Private" Actually Means
- Everything That's Included
- The Right Boat for Your Group
- What You Might Catch
- Great Times to Book
- Perfect for Any Occasion
- How to Book Your Private Charter
- Frequently Asked Questions
What "Private" Actually Means on a Celtic Quest Charter
Private means exactly what it sounds like. Your group books the entire boat. No strangers sharing the rail, no waiting your turn behind someone you've never met. From the moment you board to the moment we tie up at the dock, the boat belongs to your group.
That changes everything. You set the pace. You set the mood. A quiet family morning out on Smithtown Bay feels completely different from a bachelor party where the crew is teaching everyone how to bait a hook for the first time — and both are equally wonderful. We've hosted all of it over the past 25 years, and the common thread is always the same: when it's just your people on the water, something special happens.
Private charters are available at all three of our locations. We run out of Port Jefferson (our main home, April through October/November), Jamesport in Peconic Bay (May full-day trips), and Mattituck (mid-September through Thanksgiving for fall wreck and bottom fishing). If you're still weighing your options, our article on comparing a private charter to an open boat trip walks through the differences in detail.
And don't overlook the arrival itself. Port Jefferson is a beautiful harbor town with waterfront restaurants, great shops along the village, and the iconic ferry to Bridgeport right next door. Getting here is part of the fun.
Everything That's Included — Rods, Bait, License, and More
One of the things people love most about booking with Celtic Quest is that you genuinely don't need to bring a single piece of fishing gear. Everything is handled:
- Fishing rods and all tackle — rigged and ready before you board
- Fresh bait — prepared by the crew, no fumbling around
- New York fishing license — included in the fare, no separate purchase needed
- Expert crew guidance — for every skill level, including absolute beginners
- Professional fish filleting and cleaning — the mates clean your catch at the end of the trip
- Bags for your fresh fish — so you actually go home with dinner
- Use of a 70- or 80-foot vessel — with full stability on Long Island Sound
Our crew stays current on all New York fishing regulations so you don't have to think about a thing.
A quick note on what to bring from your end: pack your own food and snacks, and small coolers are welcome. Beer and wine are perfectly fine on board; hard liquor is not permitted. If you're joining us on the Celtic Grace, she has a full cabin with heating, men's and women's restrooms, and a microwave — a lovely touch for shoulder-season trips or groups who appreciate a little extra comfort between fishing drops.
The fish cleaning at the end of the trip always draws a crowd. There's always someone in the group who wasn't sure fishing was for them — and that person ends up going home with a bag of beautiful fillets and becoming the hero of the dinner table. It never gets old.
See all trip types and options →
The Right Boat for Your Group
We run two vessels for private charters, and both are genuinely well-suited for groups of all kinds.
Celtic Quest IV is 70 feet and carries up to 120 passengers. She's an open boat design with plenty of deck space and rod storage — great for larger groups who want room to spread out and fish.
Celtic Grace is our 80-foot fishing yacht. She carries up to 129 passengers and features a full enclosed cabin with heating, men's and women's restrooms, and a microwave. For corporate groups, fall trips, or any occasion where guests appreciate being able to step inside between fishing drops, the Grace is a wonderful choice.
We mix and match vessels based on availability and your group's needs — and honestly, both boats are fantastic. At 70 to 80 feet, both provide real stability on the water. Long Island Sound typically runs much calmer than ocean conditions, which makes for a comfortable trip even for guests who've never set foot on a boat before. Learn more about the Celtic Quest fleet →
What You Might Catch on a Private Charter Out of Port Jefferson
Depending on the time of year you book, your group might find a wonderful mix of species out on the Sound.
In spring and early summer (May through June), porgies are particularly active and fluke fishing can be excellent. Striped bass also make an appearance during this stretch — one of the more exciting catches of the season.
Through mid-summer (July and August), the focus shifts to bottom fishing — porgies, black sea bass, and a mix of whatever's biting. The fishing is reliable and the warm weather makes for a beautiful day on the water.
Come fall (September through November), fishing picks up beautifully as the water cools. Porgies, sea bass, and bluefish are all in the mix. Fall charters out of our Mattituck location add the chance for blackfish (tautog) once that season opens in mid-October — a real treat for anyone who hasn't caught one before.
The Sound runs up to about 100 feet deep in the fall, and we typically reach the fishing grounds within 30 to 60 minutes of leaving Port Jefferson Harbor.
Great Times to Book a Private Deep Sea Charter
Every season on Long Island Sound has its own character, and we love them all. That said, a few windows tend to work especially well for private group charters.
Late May through mid-June is our most popular window for a reason. The porgy fishing is excellent, fluke are active, and the weather is usually gorgeous. June is our busiest month of the year — people are eager, summer is just beginning, and groups are still together before vacation season scatters everyone. If you can book in this window, do it.
July is a wonderful time for a social event on the water. The summer energy is high, the Sound is warm and inviting, and a private charter in July makes for a fantastic day out.
September brings a real second wind. As the water cools, fishing picks up noticeably — excellent porgies, sea bass, and bluefish — and the weather usually holds beautifully. It's a great underrated window for charters.
October offers some of the finest fishing of the entire season, though weather can be unpredictable. We're always honest with groups about that — cancellations happen in October more than any other month. But when October is good, it's truly memorable.
Perfect for Any Occasion
We've run private charters for just about everything over the past 25 years, and the variety never stops surprising me. Bachelor and bachelorette parties. Corporate team-building events. Birthday milestones. Family reunions. Church groups. Fire departments and police departments. Memorial services and ash scattering ceremonies. Fundraisers. Scout troops. End-of-season celebrations.
I've watched corporate groups who work long hours and barely see each other outside a conference room completely relax once they're an hour offshore. The phones stay in pockets. People laugh. Someone catches something big and everyone cheers. That's real connection — not because we set out to manufacture it, but because the water has a way of doing that naturally.
For first-timers especially: our crew genuinely loves working with people who've never held a rod before. No experience is needed at all — the mates take care of everything and they're wonderful with beginners. Here's what a first charter experience actually feels like →
How to Book Your Private Deep Sea Charter
Give us a call or send us an email and we'll talk through the details — your group size, the occasion, the time of year, and which of our locations makes the most sense. Pricing varies based on group size, trip length, day of the week, and season, so we always prefer to put together a custom quote rather than throw numbers at you without context.
You can also visit our booking page to start the conversation online.
📞 (631) 928-3926
✉️ Office@CQFleet.com
🗓️ Book Your Trip Online →
We're here Monday through Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. We'd love to hear about your group and help you plan something truly memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a private charter mean we get the whole boat to ourselves?
Yes, absolutely. When you book a private charter with Celtic Quest, your group has the entire vessel to yourselves. No other passengers, no shared space with strangers. It's your group, your boat, and your day on the water from departure to return.
How many people can join a private deep sea charter?
Our vessels accommodate groups of different sizes. Celtic Quest IV holds up to 120 passengers, and Celtic Grace holds up to 129. Give us a call and we'll help figure out the right fit for your group.
What's included in the price of a private charter?
Everything you need to fish is included: rods, tackle, fresh bait, and your New York State fishing license. Our crew provides hands-on guidance throughout the trip, and at the end of the day the mates will professionally clean and fillet your catch. You bring home the fish in bags, ready for the kitchen. Bring your own food, snacks, and beverages — beer and wine are welcome on board.
Do we need fishing experience to enjoy a private charter?
Not at all. Our crew takes care of everything, and they genuinely love working with beginners. First-timers are always welcome, and many of our most enthusiastic private charter groups have never fished a day in their lives. The mates will show everyone exactly what to do and make sure the whole group has a wonderful time.
Can we bring food and drinks on board?
Absolutely. Pack your own food and snacks, and small coolers are welcome. Beer and wine are permitted on board. Hard liquor is not allowed. Celtic Grace also has a microwave on board if you'd like to warm something up.
What fish are available on a private charter out of Port Jefferson?
That depends on the time of year. Porgies (scup) are available throughout the season and are almost always biting. Spring and early summer typically bring fluke and striped bass into the mix. Summer and fall add sea bass and bluefish. Fall charters out of our Mattituck location add the chance for blackfish (tautog) once that season opens in mid-October. Our crew stays current on all New York fishing regulations so every detail is handled.
How far offshore does a private charter go?
We fish Long Island Sound, typically reaching our grounds within 30 to 60 minutes of leaving Port Jefferson Harbor. Fishing depths range from around 30–50 feet in spring and early summer to up to 100 feet in the fall. It's offshore bottom fishing on the Sound — the calmer conditions compared to the open ocean make it very comfortable for all types of groups.
What's the best time of year to book a private deep sea charter on Long Island?
Late May through mid-June is our most popular window — excellent fishing, beautiful weather, and that wonderful early-summer energy. September is a fantastic and often underrated choice: fishing picks up as the water cools and the weather is usually lovely. October offers some of the best fishing of the year, though weather can be unpredictable. Our season runs April through November, so there's plenty of room to find the right fit.
How do I get a price quote for a private charter?
Give us a call at (631) 928-3926 or email us at Office@CQFleet.com and we'll put together a quote based on your group size, occasion, trip length, and time of year. You can also start the process at celticquestfishing.com/book-your-fishing-trip.
What happens if the weather is bad on our charter day?
Safety always comes first, and weather cancellations are entirely at the captain's discretion. If we have to cancel due to conditions, you'll receive a full refund or credit — whichever you prefer. We recommend booking with a little flexibility in your schedule when you can, especially for fall trips when the weather is more variable.
Celtic Quest Fishing — 118 West Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 — (631) 928-3926