Frequently asked questions.

Half-day mixed bag (May 1 – Oct 10): $600 / boat. Around four hours on the water, 1–4 anglers, all gear included.

Fall blackfish (Oct 11 – Dec 1): $700 / boat. Six hours, 1–4 anglers, blackfish-specific gear and bait.

A 20% minimum gratuity is customary and goes directly to the captain.

A $150 non-refundable deposit holds your date. The deposit is refunded only if the captain cancels the trip. Customer cancellations forfeit the deposit (this is industry standard).

Deposits: Venmo @captainskippycharters, PayPal, Cash App, Zelle, or check. The balance plus gratuity is paid at the dock on trip day in cash or any of the same methods.

The boat is set up for 1–4 anglers. A 5th can sometimes be added for +$150 on a case-by-case basis — ask when you inquire.

Yes, we take any size group from 1 to 4. The rate is for the boat, so two of you pay the same as four. Couples and parent-kid trips are some of our favorites.

Sail times shift with the tide, weather, and target species. Most summer half-day trips leave between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM. We confirm your exact dock time the day before.

Bring: sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, snacks, water, and a small soft-side cooler if you want drinks aboard.

Required: closed-toed shoes (no flip-flops).

Not allowed: glass bottles, hard liquor, oversized hard coolers — space is at a premium on a 26-footer.

No. Your trip is covered under our New York State charter license while you're aboard.

Everything. Rods, reels, lures, jigs, live bait, crab bait (fall), terminal tackle, blackfish rigs, hooks, and weights. You're welcome to bring your own rod if you prefer — many regulars do.

Perfect — you'll learn from someone with 20+ years of experience teaching first-timers. Captain handles the technique side, you just listen and reel.

Yes. We've taken hundreds of kids on their first trips. We carry kid-sized life jackets — just let us know ages when you book.

Absolutely. Group of up to 4 (sometimes 5). Just remember: no glass bottles, no hard liquor on board. Beer and wine in cans or plastic are fine.

We love dogs, but the boat isn't currently set up for them. Please leave the pup at home.

Yes — captain cleans, fillets and bags your keepers free of charge at the end of the trip. You leave the dock with dinner ready to cook.

Catch-and-release trips are welcome and we follow best handling practices for stripers and blackfish. Just tell us your preference at the start of the trip.

NY State recreational regulations apply and change each season. Captain knows the current limits and slot sizes for stripers, fluke, sea bass, porgies and blackfish — we'll only keep what's legal.

Captain monitors the forecast and sea conditions and has full authority to cancel for safety. If we cancel, your deposit is fully refunded or applied to a rescheduled date — your choice.

Mount Sinai Marina parking lot at 199 Harbor Beach Road. Free with a Town of Brookhaven sticker; $2/hr weekdays, $3/hr weekends metered for out-of-towners. Head to the far east side of the lot and meet the boat at the first dock.

Three main differences. (1) We're private only — you never share the boat. (2) We depart from Mount Sinai Harbor, which is quieter, less crowded and gets you on the fish faster than Port Jeff's ferry traffic. (3) Captain Skippy himself runs every trip — no rotating crew.