What To Bring On Your Long Island Sound Fishing Trip

All rods, reels, and terminal tackle is provided, but for those of you who want to bring your own, you will want to check out the the following recommendations. Conditions, the availability of certain sizes of fish, and bait concentrations change all the time. A last minute call or email will ensure that you bring the right gear!

Gear Checklist

  • Polarized Sunglasses
  • Head Protection
  • Sunscreen
  • Rain Gear
  • Boat Shoes, Boots, or Sneakers (No Black Soles)
  • Cooler to bring your catch home
  • Ziploc bags
  • Food & Beverages – No Hard Alcohol Please
  • Cameras (cell phone cameras are just fine!)*

*If you bring your own camera equipment, please be sure it is properly protected from shock and water spray

Recommended Tackle

Striped BassChunking & Live Lining6-7ft medium/heavy conventional
boat rod and comparable reel capable of handling 30lb mono. Lighter line is not recommended.  Shallow locations will have a lot of structure. Deeper locations may require up to 8oz of lead.  Braided line is not ecommended.
Plugging and Peanuts6.6-7ft medium fast-extra fast
spinning or bait casting outfit loaded with 12-15lb mono or 12-30lb braided line. A selection of 5-7inch topwater and swimming plugs in silver, silver/black, silver/blue, etc.
Worm Trolling6-7ft medium fast-extra-fast conventional or bait casting outfit loaded with 12-15lb mono.
Fly9-10wt rod with comparable reel
BluefishChunking & Live Lining6-7ft medium/heavy conventional boat rod and comparable reel capable of handling 30lb mono. Lighter line is not recommended.  Shallow locations will have a lot of structure. Deeper locations may require up to 8oz of lead.  Braided line is not recommended.
Wire Line Trolling5.5-7ft extra heavy conventional boat rod and comparable reel loaded with 40lb-60lb monel wire.
Plugging6.6-7ft medium fast-extra fast spinning or bait casting outfit loaded with 12-15lb mono or 12-30lb braided line. A selection of 7-8inch topwater plugs in silver, silver/black, silver/blue, etc.
Fly9-10wt rod with comparable reel
FlukeBucktailing6.6-7ft medium/heavy fast/extra-fast spinning or bait casting outfit loaded with 12-20lb mono or 12-30lb braided line.  A selection of white, chartreuse, green, and pink bucktails from 1/2oz to 2oz.
BlackfishBottom6.6-7ft extra heavy conventional boat rod and comparable reel loaded with 20-40lb braided line. An assortment of bank sinkers ranging from 2oz to 8oz.
WeakfishPlugging6.6-7ft medium fast-extra fast spinning or bait casting outfit loaded with 12-15lb mono or 12-30lb braided line. A selection of white, green, and pink SPRO bucktails from 1/2oz to 1oz.
Worm Trolling6-7ft medium fast-extra-fast conventional or bait casting outfit loaded with 12-15lb mono.
PorgiesBottom6.6-7ft medium/heavy fast/extra-fast spinning or bait casting outfit loaded with 12-20lb mono or 12-30lb braided line.

More Fishing Tackle Recommendations from Northeast Angling