You’re standing on the pier in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The air smells like salt, old bait, and diesel fumes from the fleet of party boats lining the docks. If you’re looking for Captain Dave fishing Brooklyn, you’re probably not looking for a luxury yacht with cucumber water. You’re looking for a bent rod, a bloody deck, and a cooler full of porgy or sea bass. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s exactly what New York fishing is supposed to be.
Captain Dave and the Marilyn Jean fleet have become a staple of the South Brooklyn waterfront for a reason. While other boats come and go, or change hands when the fuel prices get too high, this operation stays remarkably consistent. You show up, you pay your fare, and you get put on the fish.
What Actually Happens on a Captain Dave Trip?
Honestly, the "party boat" experience is a bit of a misnomer. It’s not a party in the sense of a club; it’s a communal hunt. When you head out for Captain Dave fishing Brooklyn sessions, you’re sharing a rail with everyone from Wall Street guys in brand-new gear to old-timers who have been fishing these waters since the 1970s.
The boat—usually one of the Marilyn Jean vessels—leaves the dock early. Sometimes really early. We’re talking 7:00 AM or even late-night "midnight" trips depending on the season. You head out past the Marine Parkway Bridge, maybe toward the Ambrose Channel or the rock piles off the Rockaways.
The target changes with the water temp.
In the spring, everyone is obsessed with striped bass and bluefish. By mid-summer, it’s all about the "bottom fishing" grind. We’re talking porgy (scup), fluke, and sea bass. The action is fast. If the Captain marks a school on the sonar, he’ll blow the whistle. That’s your cue. Drop your line. If you don't feel a tug within two minutes, you're probably doing it wrong or the tide is weird.
The Gear and the Grind
Don't worry if you don't own a single rod. They’ve got rentals. They aren't fancy—usually heavy-duty Penn reels that can take a beating—but they work.
The deckhands are the unsung heroes here. They’re running around with rags and pliers, unhooking fish, tangling lines (it happens a lot when 40 people are fishing at once), and "banging" the bait. If you want to have a good time, tip these guys. Seriously. They work for tips and they'll be the ones showing you how to bait your hook so the bait doesn't just fly off the second it hits the water.
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Why Brooklyn Fishing Isn't Like the Tropics
People come to New York and expect a serene A River Runs Through It moment. Forget that. Captain Dave fishing Brooklyn is a contact sport. You’re fishing in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. You might see a massive container ship go by while you're reeling in a black sea bass.
The water isn't turquoise. It’s a deep, churning Atlantic green.
The nuance is in the structure. The bottom of the New York Bight is littered with old wrecks, rock piles, and artificial reefs. Captain Dave knows these coordinates like the back of his hand. It’s about "holding the boat" over the structure. If the current is ripping, the captain has to use the engines to keep the boat stationary so your line goes straight down instead of drifting into your neighbor’s face.
The Seasons: When to Go
If you show up in January, you're going for Ling and Cod. It's cold. It's miserable. It's fantastic if you like meaty white fish.
- Spring (May - June): This is the prime time for Striped Bass. These are the trophy fish of the Atlantic. Catching a "keeper" (which has to fall within a specific size bracket, usually 28" to less than 31" depending on current NYSDEC regulations) is the goal.
- Summer (July - September): Porgy and Sea Bass. This is "meat fishing." You go home with a bag full of fish. It’s great for kids because the action is constant.
- Fall (October - November): Blackfish (Tautog) season. This is the "thinking man's" fish. They are notorious bait-stealers. You have to feel the "scratch" before the "thump."
One thing people get wrong is thinking the fishing is better far out in the ocean. Sometimes the best bite is right in the bay or just off the Coney Island pier. A good captain like Dave doesn't burn fuel just to look busy; he goes where the fish are showing up on the "fish-finder."
The Truth About the "Marilyn Jean"
Most people looking for Captain Dave fishing Brooklyn will end up on the Marilyn Jean IV or one of its sister ships. These are big, stable aluminum boats. They have benches, a small galley (usually serving coffee and rolls), and a cabin where you can hide if the spray gets too heavy.
Is it luxurious? No.
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Is it clean? It’s as clean as a boat covered in fish scales can be.
The real value is the electronics. Modern party boats use side-scanning sonar that can literally see a single fish 100 feet to the left of the boat. Dave uses this tech to hover over the "pinnacles"—the high points of the underwater rocks where the big fish hide.
How to Not Look Like a Newbie
If you want to actually catch fish and not just feed the crabs, keep these three things in mind:
- Check the Tide: High tide or low tide doesn't matter as much as the change. When the water is moving, the fish are eating. When the water is still ("slack tide"), the bite usually dies.
- Short Strokes: People try to "set the hook" like they’re on a TV show, yanking the rod over their heads. Most of the time, especially with porgy, you just need a sharp, short lift of the wrist.
- Listen to the Whistle: One blast means "drop lines." Two blasts means "reel 'em up, we're moving." Don't be the person who keeps their line in the water while the boat is moving—you'll just tangle everyone.
The Cost of a Day on the Water
You're usually looking at somewhere between $80 and $120 for a full-day trip. This covers the boat, the fuel, and usually the basic bait (clams or squid).
You’ll pay extra for:
- Rod rental ($5 - $10)
- Pool entry ($5 - $10). The "pool" is a gamble where everyone puts in a few bucks, and the person with the heaviest fish takes the pot. It’s a Brooklyn tradition. Don't skip it.
- Fish cleaning. The mates will fillet your catch for a small fee at the end of the trip. It’s worth every penny unless you want to spend three hours scaling fish in your kitchen sink.
Is Captain Dave Right for You?
Look, if you want a private charter where a guide baits your hook and whispers encouragement in your ear, book a 6-pack charter. Those cost $800+.
But if you want the authentic NYC experience—raw, loud, and effective—then Captain Dave fishing Brooklyn is the move. You’re going to hear some thick Brooklyn accents. You’re going to get some scales on your shoes. You’re probably going to get out-fished by a 70-year-old woman using a reel that looks like it belongs in a museum.
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That’s the beauty of it.
The Atlantic doesn't care who you are. The fish don't care about your job title. You're just a person with a piece of clam on a hook trying to outsmart a creature with a brain the size of a pea.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your day out of Sheepshead Bay, follow this specific checklist:
- Book via the Website: While they take walk-ons, the Marilyn Jean often sells out on weekends. Check their official site or Facebook page the night before; they post "reports" showing what they caught that day.
- Arrive 45 Minutes Early: Parking in Sheepshead Bay is a nightmare. Give yourself time to find a spot on Emmons Ave or a side street, then get to the boat to claim your spot on the rail. The stern (back) and the bow (front) are the most popular spots.
- Dress in Layers: Even if it's 80 degrees on land, it’s 65 degrees and windy five miles out at sea. Bring a windbreaker.
- Bring Cash: For the pool, the tips, and the galley. Most boats are still very much cash-operated once you get off the dock.
- Ziploc Bags: Bring your own heavy-duty bags. The mates will give you your fillets in a bag, but a second layer prevents fish juice from leaking in your car on the drive home.
Fishing in Brooklyn is a rite of passage. It’s one of the few places where the old New York still exists, tucked away behind the condos and the traffic. Get on the boat, drop your line, and keep your eyes on the tip of the rod.
Essential Gear List for Your First Trip
- Sunscreen: The reflection off the water will fry you faster than the sun alone.
- Hand Towel: You’re going to be touching bait and fish; you’ll want a rag to wipe your hands.
- Cooler with Ice: Leave this in your car. You don't need it on the boat (they have boxes), but you need it to keep the catch fresh for the ride home.
- Dramamine: If you get motion sickness, take it an hour before you get on the boat. Taking it once you feel sick is useless.
Ultimately, a trip with Captain Dave is about the story you tell afterward. Whether you come home with a limit of Sea Bass or just a sunburn and a "the one that got away" tale, it’s a day spent off the concrete and on the water.
Next Steps:
- Check the Current Regulations: Visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website to see what fish are currently in season.
- Monitor the Marine Forecast: Use an app like "Windy" or "FishWeather" to check the wave height. If it's over 3-4 feet, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
- Prepare Your Kitchen: Buy some lemons, butter, and garlic. Fresh-caught Brooklyn porgy is best when pan-fried within hours of hitting the dock.