If you are looking for a day of fishing on the water, Long Island does not disappoint.
Captree State Park is one of the better places on Long Island to turn your attention to when you want to go fishing.
You can hop on a boat, fish from the dock, or try your luck underneath the Fire Island Inlet Bridge for Striped Bass and Bluefish.
In this article, we’ll talk about getting to Captree State Park and provide insight into the fishing fleet, the docks, and the Robert Moses Bridge!
How To Get To Captree State Park?
Captree State Park is at the end of Ocean Parkway in Babylon, New York.
You can access the State Park in two ways: from the North and the West.
Getting to Captree State Park from the North
If you are coming from the North, you need to take either Sunrise Highway or The Southern State Parkway to the Robert Moses Causeway and take the exit that brings you South.
The Robert Moses Causeways brings you over the Great South Bay and lands you on remote islands off Fire Island.
Take the exit for Ocean Parkway East.
Do not miss this exit. You will have to go over another bridge to turn around.
Once you are on Ocean Parkway East, follow it to the end. You will then see some tollbooths. You are now at Captree State Park.
Getting to Captree State Park from the West
If you are coming from the West near Jones Beach, take Ocean Parkway down. It will land you in Captree State Park.
Just beware, there is a small parking fee to park at Captree State Park.
How To Fish at Captree State Park?
Land the Big One on Captree’s Party Boats
Captree is renowned for its fishing fleet of party boats. It’s one of the largest public chartered fishing fleets in the Northeast. It is composed of close to 25 vessels.
Timing of Fishing Trips
Typically, most party boats offer three half-day fishing trips (5-6 hours) per day.
The first trip starts at 7 am.
The next trip begins at 1 PM.
Finally, the night trip starts at 6 pm.
Each of these trips has a targeted species. The time they go after these species varies.
Comfortable Boats, Free Tackle, and Great Staff
The boats are large and comfortable. They can accommodate 60 guests per trip comfortably. They have restrooms, cabins with AC and heat, and promenade deck space for those who give up on fishing early.
All fishing tackle, bait, and setup come with the fare you pay.
You are more than welcome to use your fishing tackle if you choose.
Each boat has several deckhands to come and assist you with all your needs, like handling bait and taking fish off the hook. Be sure to tip them!
Where The Captree Fleet Fishes?
The Captree Fleet operates in the Great South Bay, the Fire Island Inlet, or the nearby wrecks in the Atlantic Ocean. The decision of where to fish depends on fishing reports, the captain’s choice, and the weather conditions.
The Great South Bay offers calm waters, great for families.
The Fire Island Inlet is pleasant for families and experienced fishermen as well.
Fishing in the Atlantic Ocean is not an issue, but people can get seasick because of the waves. The boat hands have Dramamine they can provide for anyone experiencing sea sickness.
Family Fishing Fun on the Captree Docks
Captree State Park also has large amounts of dock space you can fish off of for free.
Fishing at the Captree Docks
There are also days in the summer when NYS allows everyone across the state to fish for free.
There are two sets of docks at Captree. Docks are facing North towards Great South Bay and the South facing Fire Island.
The docks are great for little kids looking to learn how to fish.
In the summertime, baby bluefish (also known as snappers) cruise up and down these docks and are easy and fun to catch.
You can also catch Sea Bass, Porgies, and even keeper-size Fluke!
Crabbing is also very popular off the docks. In August, people line up along the docks to snag a few Blue Claw Crabs for the dinner plate.
Besides the one requirement for the fishing license, the only other requirement would be fishing equipment.
Luckily, if you do not have fishing equipment, you can walk down the pier to the Captree Bait and Tackle, where you can rent fishing tackle.
New York State Fishing License is Necessary
However, since these are New York State Waters, you will need a saltwater fishing license to fish.
You can go to your local fishing or outdoor sports store to acquire one or do it online. These licenses are free.
Surf Casting Underneath the Fire Island Inlet Bridge
This suggestion is for the more experienced fisherman.
The Fire Island Inlet Bridge is an excellent place to surf fish during the early morning and nighttime hours of the fall run of Striped Bass and Bluefish.
You will notice that many Captree Fishing Boats stop for a drift near the Fire Island Inlet Bridge.
The bridge supports are an excellent ambush point for these game species.
If you decide to fish underneath the bridge at night, you will need a night fishing permit.
You will get a fine if you get caught fishing without a nighttime fishing permit.
