Road Trip Close To Home: New Rochelle charter boat offers summer fishing trips for beginners and families
Owner Patrick Barrett said the boat welcomes everyone from experienced fishermen to first-time visitors.
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A trip on Long Island Sound is giving anglers a chance to catch fish, enjoy the water and create lasting memories aboard the Shamrock Charterboat in New Rochelle.
Owner Patrick Barrett said the boat welcomes everyone from experienced fishermen to first-time visitors.
“Today is a sunset fishing trip. We’re going out for four hours, and we’re going to fish for fluke,” Barrett said.
The Shamrock offers public trips where passengers can reserve a spot and head out on the water.
“We supply the fishing equipment. We include the bait. We also include the fishing pole,” Barrett said. “All people have to do is basically come down, and we have everything they need.”
Barrett said the crew helps newcomers learn the basics of fishing.
“Our crew is good at instructing and demonstrating how to operate the reel and how to put on the bait,” he said.
The boat targets a variety of fish, including fluke, porgy, sea bass and weakfish.
Barrett said many families bring children along, creating memorable first-time fishing experiences.
“We had someone last week with his daughter. She was maybe 9 or 10 years old, and it was her first time fishing,” Barrett said. “She caught her own fish all by herself, and she had the biggest smile on her face.”
Passengers can keep the legal-sized fish they catch, and crew members will clean and fillet them before returning to shore.
“You can leave here with a bag of fresh fish, all cleaned up, and just take it home and cook it if you want,” Barrett said.
Barrett said the appeal goes beyond fishing.
“I think people enjoy just coming out, spending time on the water and getting a chance to catch a fish,” he said.
