Second Choice Charters 

4.6/5 (7 reviews)
 352 West Lake Drive, Montauk, NY 11954, United States

Second Choice Charters 

4.6/5 (7 reviews)
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352 West Lake Drive
Montauk, NY, United States

Second Choice Charters is all about getting groups on fish. Lots of big, tasty fish. They’re not a tour company, they don’t do cruises, and they don’t have the fanciest boat out there. It's an old, loud, diesel engine. What they do have is the skills, the experience, and the determination to put you on some real monsters!

Captain Jeff Nichols has been running charters for over a decade and was mating boats for many years before that. He’s passionate about the sport and about getting anglers-to-be into it. He does not use a mate for the inshore trips. He also loves to work with seasoned sportfishers and will pull out all the stops to get you on a trophy if that’s what you’re after.

Capt. Jeff runs his trips aboard a 26’ Shamrock. A reliable cuddy cabin, the boat will take you to the fishing grounds quickly thanks to its 250 HP Yanmar engine. She has a full range of marine electronics to put you on the fish and a livewell full of bait to make sure you catch them.

Second Choice Charters specializes in bringing in limits of Seabass and cow Stripers worthy of the name. Depending on when and where you fish, you could also encounter Flounder, Shark, and even Tuna. Capt. Jeff stocks nothing but top quality tackle to make sure you bring in whatever comes your way. There's also no wire trolling, each customer will get a rod to feel the bite and fight the fish!

Heading out on a night fishing trip is an unforgettable experience. You’ll be hitting the fish off-guard to bring in some incredible catches before returning home with a trunk packed full of delicious fish. If this sounds like fun to you, jump aboard, and let Capt. Jeff put you on Montauk’s world-famous Bass bite.

The photos featured on this listing were taken in 2023.

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.6/5
out of 5 stars from 7 reviews
Boat
4.3/5
Crew
4.7/5
Experience
4.7/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (10)

Unforgettable weekend
Unforgettable weekend
Unforgettable weekend
+7

Angler rating

4
3
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

60%

Appropriate for children

60%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

80%

Recommend this charter

100%

Caught fish

67%

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews
Showing: 5 of 7 reviews
Mike C.
Mike C.
5.0/5

Jul 5, 2024

Striped Bass Fishing

A sailor,and fisherman extraordinaire

VERIFIED

I wanted to take our kids ocean fishing as they had never previously fished in the ocean. Captain Nichols navigates us of Montauk harbor and almost immediately they catch a 45 pound striper. We fished the entire area between Montauk and Block island. Had a great time. The captain is an interesting guy. Literate, former teacher in the South Bronx, he has written and sold screenplay to Hollywood.

I wanted to take our kids ocean fishing as they had never previously fished in the ocean. Captain Nichols navigates us of Montauk...  

Captain replied
 Mike C. recommends Second Choice Charters
 Mike C. recommends Second Choice Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on July 17, 2024
Mikes a Good man. Great effort to get his kids out there. ...we had tough conditions..big waves...Thry were troupers. And yes they landed a monster. We lost a few

Igor B.
Igor B.
5.0/5

Aug 24, 2024

Day trip full day

Unforgettable weekend

VERIFIED

It was a great fishing. Caught a bunch of tuna, snd other fish. Some ran. Captain Jeff knows what he is doing. Good job, man!

It was a great fishing. Caught a bunch of tuna, snd other fish. Some ran. Captain Jeff knows what he is doing. Good job, man!...  

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 Igor B. recommends Second Choice Charters
1 person finds this review helpful
 Igor B. recommends Second Choice Charters
1 person finds this review helpful

Brian F.
Brian F.

North Babylon, NY

5.0/5

Jun 25, 2022

Day trip full day

June fishing trip

VERIFIED

Caught a bunch of fish. Stripers, porgie, sea bass ans a few blue fish. Captain had us on fish almost immediately and we caught them most of the day, even when the tide wasn't ideal. Had fun.

Caught a bunch of fish. Stripers, porgie, sea bass ans a few blue fish. Captain had us on fish almost immediately and we caught...  

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 Brian F. recommends Second Choice Charters
 Brian F. recommends Second Choice Charters

Donald F.
Donald F.

Great River, NY

4.7/5

Aug 10, 2022

Striped Bass Fishing

August fishing trip

VERIFIED

 

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Review media 1
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 Donald F. recommends Second Choice Charters
1 person finds this review helpful
 Donald F. recommends Second Choice Charters
1 person finds this review helpful

Fred S.
Fred S.

Nesconset, NY

4.3/5

Jun 11, 2022

Day trip full day

Full day trip

VERIFIED

 

 Fred S. recommends Second Choice Charters
 Fred S. recommends Second Choice Charters

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
September 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
Striped Bass Fishing
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 4:00 PM
Seasonal trip May 1 - Nov 30
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US $600 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Night Bass Fishing - Block Island
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
7 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 PM
Seasonal trip May 1 - Nov 30
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US $650 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Day trip full day
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
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US $800 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.6/5
out of 5 stars from 7 reviews
Boat
4.3/5
Crew
4.7/5
Experience
4.7/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (10)

Unforgettable weekend
Unforgettable weekend
Unforgettable weekend
+7

Angler rating

4
3
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

60%

Appropriate for children

60%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

80%

Recommend this charter

100%

Caught fish

67%

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews
Showing: 5 of 7 reviews
Mike C.
Mike C.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

A sailor,and fisherman extraordinaire

VERIFIED

Striped Bass Fishing on July 5, 2024

I wanted to take our kids ocean fishing as they had never previously fished in the ocean. Captain Nichols navigates us of Montauk harbor and almost immediately they catch a 45 pound striper. We fished the entire area between Montauk and Block island. Had a great time. The captain is an interesting guy. Literate, former teacher in the South Bronx, he has written and sold screenplay to Hollywood.

I wanted to take our kids ocean fishing as they had never previously fished in the ocean. Captain Nichols navigates us of Montauk harbor and almost immediately they catch a 45 pound striper. We fished the entire area between Montauk and Block island. Had a great time. The captain is an interesting guy. Literate, former teacher in the South Bronx, he has written and sold screenplay to Hollywood.  

 Mike C. recommends Second Choice Charters
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on July 17, 2024
Mikes a Good man. Great effort to get his kids out there. ...we had tough conditions..big waves...Thry were troupers. And yes they landed a monster. We lost a few

Igor B.
Igor B.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Unforgettable weekend

VERIFIED

Day trip full day on August 24, 2024

It was a great fishing. Caught a bunch of tuna, snd other fish. Some ran. Captain Jeff knows what he is doing. Good job, man!

It was a great fishing. Caught a bunch of tuna, snd other fish. Some ran. Captain Jeff knows what he is doing. Good job, man!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
 Igor B. recommends Second Choice Charters
1 person finds this review helpful

Brian F.
Brian F.

North Babylon, NY

5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

June fishing trip

VERIFIED

Day trip full day on June 25, 2022

Caught a bunch of fish. Stripers, porgie, sea bass ans a few blue fish. Captain had us on fish almost immediately and we caught them most of the day, even when the tide wasn't ideal. Had fun.

Caught a bunch of fish. Stripers, porgie, sea bass ans a few blue fish. Captain had us on fish almost immediately and we caught them most of the day, even when the tide wasn't ideal. Had fun.  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
 Brian F. recommends Second Choice Charters

Donald F.
Donald F.

Great River, NY

4.7/5

Experience:

4.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

August fishing trip

VERIFIED

Striped Bass Fishing on August 10, 2022

 

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
 Donald F. recommends Second Choice Charters
1 person finds this review helpful

Fred S.
Fred S.

Nesconset, NY

4.3/5

Experience:

4.0/5

Boat

4.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Full day trip

VERIFIED

Day trip full day on June 11, 2022

 

 Fred S. recommends Second Choice Charters

FAQs about Second Choice Charters

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Cabin cruisers
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
26 ft
Year built
1993
Restored in
2024
Boat manufacturer
Shamrock
Boat type
Cuddy cabin

Engine model
Yanmar NEw!
Powered by
1 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
18 knots
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