Celtic Quest offers fishing day trips perfect for the family, a friends’ outing, work team-building exercises, and corporate charters. We also host other special occasions.
Reservations are required in advance to board the boat. Tickets can be purchased online under book your trip or over the phone with either a Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express. Book early to have the best shot at the day/time you prefer!
For fluke, we highly recommend 15-20 lb fluorocarbon, ½-2 oz bucktails (white is best all around, but pink, chartreuse and bunker also work well sometimes), a light spinning rod or bait caster with 10-20 lb braid is ideal for bucktailing. You can also use a conventional rod and reel, not too heavy, for bait fishing. We usually fish with 2-4 oz of lead. For fluke, you’ll want to use 1/0-3/0 hooks.
For porgies, we will rig you up with a high low rig. You’ll want to fish as light as possible, 4-8 oz of lead is the norm. We will provide you with everything you need as far as hooks and rigs, but if you wish to tie your own rigs, standard high low rig with small porgies hooks is fine.
Yes, all rods, bait and tackle are included with this trip for both types of fishing. Just bring your food, drinks and a small cooler to take your fillets home for dinner.
None!! We have mates that will help you every step of the way! We welcome everyone from novices to experienced anglers. Most people who come onboard have little or no fishing experience, so no worries if it is your first time!
Sure! This trip is recommended for children ages 5 and up. Please be advised that strollers are not allowed on the boat due to safety issues for our other guests. A child rate ticket is for children up to and including the age of 12.
Yes, the fishing trip is suitable for pregnant women. But we leave this to your discretion! Please consult with your doctor before coming.
Usually manual wheelchairs are no problem and can be lifted on board. Electric wheelchairs, on the other hand, may not be able to fit on board. If you need more information, please contact us and let us know details about your particular situation. We will figure it out from there.
Of course. And, if you don’t plan on fishing, give us a call at 631-928-3926 to see if we can help you out with a discount. We do limit the number of people on each trip and we will not be able to honor discounts if the boat trip is close to selling out.
Our first and most important concern is that everyone has a safe and fun time. Should there be any issue with really bad weather and we cancel, then you will receive a full refund or credit for another trip.
Please note that we do sail in the rain as long as the conditions are safe and we think we will be able to run a productive and fun trip for you. Most cancellations only occur due to high winds or severe weather. These decisions are made by our expert Captains on the day of the trip and should you have any questions or concerns, please by all means just give a call and we would be happy to give you the latest updates.
1. Any trip purchased may be cancelled up to 48 hours in advance for a full ticket(s) refund.
There will be no refunds for any processing fees collected by the reservation software provider.
2. Cancellations made due to weather are to be made solely at the discretion of Celtic Quest INC.
Learn what essentials to bring for your fishing trip with Celtic Quest Fishing Charters, including food, drinks, and personal items, to make the most of your day on the water.
Absolutely! Feel free to bring any foods or drinks you may want during the trip. We have vending machines on our largest vessel, but the Celtic Quest does not. So please bring your own snacks and drink to be sure.
Yes, by all means, you’re welcome to bring some beer and wine and enjoy yourself! Hard liquor is not allowed, however.
It depends which boat your trip takes place on, so we recommend bringing your own food and drinks. Our largest vessel has vending machines but our smaller vessel does not.
Yes, small coolers are allowed and recommended. Feel free to bring food and drinks in a cooler, and you can use the same cooler to bring your catch home.
Smoking is permitted, but we ask that you NEVER smoke in front of any of the children onboard nor near those who may be bothered by it. Please ask the crew where the best locations are for you to smoke should you have any questions.
The crew works for tips just as a server or bartender does. Typical gratuity is 20%.
Celtic Quest prides itself on making sure all its guests leave us with a smile on their faces! Sometimes, the fish bite, and sometimes, they are shy. Regardless, when you book a fishing trip with Celtic Quest Fishing, rest assured that you’ll leave with amazing memories and, hopefully, a few fish tales to share with friends and family.
We fish for all types of fish in season. Fluke, Porgies, Sea Bass, Striped Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish and more! Each trip is a little different in its focus, so please feel free to ask if you would like to know what your trip will be targeting exactly.
Limits change each year, the staff will guide but ultimately refer back to https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/saltwater-fishing/recreational-fishing-regulations
The fishing license is included in the price of your ticket.
No, we don’t guarantee that you will catch a fish. Having said that, over the thousands of trips we have run, only a few have come back not catching any fish for the trip. Hopefully you pick one of the “days to remember” that you’ll be talking about for years to come!!
No, you can catch and release if you prefer. We are big on conservation and are more than happy to help you release your catch unharmed. :)
Absolutely!! Our skilled mates will be happy to fillet up your catch for you and send you home with fresh dinner! (Remember the crew does work for tips just as a server or a bartender does, (20% is customary) We will bag the fish up for you and we suggest you bring a small cooler to take your cleaned catch home in.
It depends on where the fish are! We may go anywhere from 1 to 5 miles offshore depending upon where the bite is best. Usually we fish from 20 minutes to an hour from the dock depending on the trip and where we think we can best produce the trophy fish of your dreams!!
Yes!!! Lots of beautiful sea birds, ospreys, hawks, gulls, and more are seen on a daily basis on Long Island Sound.
Discover the amenities aboard our Celtic Quest vessels, including restrooms, life jackets, and other comforts to ensure a safe and enjoyable fishing experience.
Yes, we have a men’s and a women’s bathroom on board. Our bathrooms are very clean and well maintained throughout the trip.
Yes, we have various sizes of life jackets available on the boat for everyone. We are inspected and certified annually for all our safety equipment and the boats have everything necessary to ensure a safe trip for all onboard,
Though most trips on the Long Island Sound are calm, in the event of rough weather and if you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend speaking with your doctor to take the necessary medication prior to coming out. If you’re unable to speak with a doctor beforehand, we recommend Dramamine. These products are not available on board, so if you are concerned about sea sickness please take care of it beforehand. Please feel free to contact us directly at (631) 928-3926 or Office@CQFleet.com with any questions you may have.
Yes, we have an inside cabin that will protect you from the elements if need be.
Yes, both boats are equipped with full cabin heat to keep you toasty warm!
Celtic Quest Fishing offers fun fishing adventures mainly out of Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY. Our captain and crew are friendly and knowledgeable about all things “fishing in the Long Island Sound.”
From Captain’s Choice outings on the weekends to special Kids Fishing days, we have a trip for everyone. Check out the calendar on our website to learn more about what’s planned! If you want to book the boat for a private party–wedding, bachelor party, corporate function–contact us so we can advise you about options. Call (631) 928-3926.
Great question. While we can tell you various fish are biting in different seasons, we mainly catch Porgies, Fluke, Sea Bass, Bluefish, Striped Bass, Weakfish and others. We cannot promise what any one fishing trip will yield in terms of catch but we always venture out to where we think the fish are biting on any given day. Each trip is a little different in its focus, so please feel free to ask if you would like to know what your trip will be targeting exactly. Hopefully, you’ll catch the big one (or have lots of fun trying!)
The Celtic Quest Fishing boats sail out of Port Jefferson, Long Island, which is about 60 miles East of NYC on the north shore of Long Island. Please allow plenty of travel time because depending on the time of day, 60 miles may take up to two hours.
Explore the options for booking private charters or purchasing gift certificates with Celtic Quest Fishing. Perfect for events, celebrations, or sharing the gift of a fishing adventure.
Yes!! We do tons of private charters and parties. Just contact us directly to set this up at (631) 928-3926 or Office@CQFleet.com.
We do! Please visit our website and underneath the Gift Cards tab at the top of the page, you’ll be able to click to purchase a gift certificate. You can choose to email the Gift Certificate to yourself or you can email it straight to the recipient along with a message from you.
– Food and Drinks: We suggest that you bring lunch with you. We have a microwave on board if you would like to heat something up. Bring plenty to drink especially if it is a hot sunny day
– Sun Block and Hat
– Jacket or Sweatshirt: It is often cooler on the water. Always be prepared to dress warmer and dress comfortably too! Best to leave your good nice white sneakers behind. Better to wear an old pair.
– Small Cooler: To keep your food and drinks in and to take your fresh fish fillets home in! Our crew will fillet your catch and send you home with fresh fish ready to eat for dinner!
– Camera: To photograph your Trophy Fish!
– A Smile On Your Face!
– All tackle is included, but if you would like to bring your own, here are a few suggestions:
Fluke–
– Go light!!!
15- 20 lb fluorocarbon is highly recommended
– 1/2 oz to 2 oz bucktails (white is best all around, pink, chartreuse, bunker also work well sometimes)
– Light spinning rod or bait caster with 10-20lb braid is ideal for bucktailing.
– Conventional rod and reel, not too heavy for bait fishing. We usually fish with 2- 4 ounces of lead.
– 1/0 – 3/0 hooks.
– We will be happy to tie up the best rigs for you onboard.
Sunset Special / Middle Ground Madness Trips–
– For the Bass and blues you want a medium action rod for diamond jigging capable of handling some big blues or bass. But don’t go too heavy. 40lb mono or braid on your reel. 3/0 high speed 4:1(or more) is best.
– For the Porgies and sea bass, we will rig you up with a high low rig. We recommend fishing light as possible. 4-8 ounces of lead is the norm.
Blackfish–
– Minimum #30 mono but braided line, #30 test minimum is strongly encouraged.(power pro, spider wire etc)
– A rod that can handle 6-12 ounce sinkers but don’t go too heavy
– Hooks: size 3 virginia or comparable.
