Nightjack Sportfishing invites you for a day full of adventure chasing fish in the abundant waters off the coast of Branford, Connecticut. Head into the Long Island Sound to peruse some rich and historical fishing waters. The charter is owned and operated by Captain John Alves who has fished since he was a child and loves spending every minute on the water. He enjoys taking new and returning guests out and showing them all the thrills these waters offer.

Capt. John will take you aboard the “Nightjack,” a 32’ Levy downeast, powered by a 330 HP Cummins engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 20 knots. She’s a huge Canadian-built boat known as a “Novi.” Known for their size and beams, Novis are incredibly sound and feature a half-enclosed cabin that will protect you come rain or shine, and comes fitted with a toilet. She can carry up to 6 anglers on inshore and offshore trips.

Set sail from the Branford Landing Marina and can head you along the inshore waters of the Long Island Sound and Thimble Islands. Here, you’ll target Tautog, Striped Bass, Fluke, Weakfish, and more. Or, take a trip offshore to find big game fish like Bluefin Tuna. You can also target the frightening Mako and Thresher Sharks, and, during the summer months, go after delicious Mahi Mahi.

Nightjack Sportfishing takes its fishing seriously. There is a fighting chair for you to battle the big fish, a livewell for bait, and all the USCG-approved safety equipment for when the waters get choppy. The whole family is welcome to see what real fishing is about, and Capt. John can’t wait to welcome you aboard again and again. Whichever trip you choose, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    3 Hour Trip – Evening Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Oct 10 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $550
    A chance to get out on the water for some evening time fishing. Depending on the time of the year, you might experience a sunset on the water. Certain fish species become more active during evening hours. Oftentimes, the winds lay down for a nice calm sea.
  • Private trip
    Evening Fishing Trips - 4 hours
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 20 - Oct 15 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $700
    A chance to get out on the water for some evening time fishing. Depending the time of the year, you might experience a sunset on the water. Certain fish species become more active during evening hours. Often times, the winds lay down for a nice calm seas.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    US $800
    Fish the Long Island sound and the Thimble Islands for Tautog, Striped Bass, Fluke, Weakfish, and more. You'll travel around going after the pmost productive spots to catch the ish, getting you acquainted with these rich waters. Departure times may vary based on tides and customer needs.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    US $800
    Explore the skinny waters of the Long Island Sound and around the Thimble Islands. Head wherever you need to go after the fish. Target Tautog, Fluke, Striped Bass, and Weakfish, or an exciting afternoon on the water and a delicious reward at the end of the day. Departure times may vary depending on weather and tidal conditions.
  • Private trip
    Evening Fishing Trips - 5 Hours
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 4:30 PM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Aug 30 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $800
    A chance to get out on the water for some evening time fishing. Depending the time of the year, you might experience a sunset on the water. Certain fish species become more active during evening hours. Often times, the winds lay down for a nice calm seas.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Inshore
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    US $1,250
    Spend a full day on the water for a maximum fishing experience. Troll, bottom fish, or drift fish to target Striped Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish, Fluke, Black Seabass, and many more. You're in for an exciting day's fishing and a delicious treat to take home.
  • Private trip
    Offshore - Shark - 5 person max
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 25 - Sep 8
    US $1,850
    Offshore Shark Fishing Trip sailing from Stonington, CT. We will be targeting Thresher, Mako and Blue Sharks. These fast and powerful fish are extremely fun to catch and will sometimes jump! We stop and fish for bluefish to be used as bait on the way out to the shark fishing grounds. If Tuna are in the area they can be targeted!
    Types of fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Heavy Tackle
    Trolling
    Targeted fish
    Tuna (Bluefin)
    Bluefin Tuna
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
    Shark (Hammerhead)
    Hammerhead Shark
    Shark (Blue)
    Blue Shark
    Shark (Mako)
    Mako Shark
    Shark (Thresher)
    Thresher Shark
There are 9 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Nightjack Sportfishing

Nightjack Sportfishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $550 per group - 3 Hour Trip – Evening Fishing (3 hours)
  • US $700 per group - Evening Fishing Trips - 4 hours (4 hours)
  • US $800 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $800 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $800 per group - Evening Fishing Trips - 5 Hours (5 hours)
  • US $1,250 per group - 8 Hour Trip – Inshore (8 hours)
  • US $1,850 per group - Offshore - Shark - 5 person max (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Nightjack Sportfishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Fully enclosed bathroom
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box Ice Provided
  • Radar

Trips booked with Nightjack Sportfishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

Nightjack Sportfishing offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing

Nightjack Sportfishing offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Nightjack Sportfishing include:
  • Bass (Striped)
  • Bluefish
  • Flounder
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Shark (Mako)
  • Shark (Thresher)
  • Tuna (Bluefin)
  • Weakfish

Meet the Captain

John Alves
Branford, Connecticut, United States
ID & license verified
62 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since April 2017
Captain John Alves has been fishing since he was a kid. He's always been passionate about the sport and simply can't stop getting on the water. He promises to try to make his guests happy by fishing using whatever technique suits them best. With all the necessary equipment on board, and more, Capt. John can do whatever you wanr and will do his best to please his guests.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Striped) Striped Bass
Bluefish Bluefish
Flounder Flounder
Seabass (Black) Black Seabass

Boat specs

Levy (Downeast) originally built in 2001. Powered by a 330HP Cummins engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 20 knots.

Length
32 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Fully enclosed bathroom
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box
Ice Provided

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 30 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 30 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3.5% charge will apply.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 62 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (35)
Half Day Afternoon with Captain John
Half Day Afternoon with Captain John
Fishing with John
+32
Angler rating
56
5
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
91%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 62 reviews
Craig S.
Ann Arbor, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best Fishing Trip with Captain John

VERIFIED   Evening Fishing Trips - 5 Hours on June 20, 2023
My family and I took a fishing trip with Captain John and it was the best fishing trip we have taken.  We have chartered many...
Craig S. recommends Nightjack Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Alves Captain replied

Jeffrey H.
SPFLD (LONG), MA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Afternoon with Captain John

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) on September 2, 2023
One of best days ever for both of us. This trip not only met our expectations but surpassed them. Our beautifully filet take...
Jeffrey H. recommends Nightjack Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
  John Alves Captain replied

Daniel R.
Fishkill, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great captain, great boat

VERIFIED   Trip for Daniel on June 1, 2023
Not only did we have great weather we also had a great day of fishing. Captain John gets you to the fishings ground quickly,...
Daniel R. recommends Nightjack Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
  John Alves Captain replied

Tia B.
West Haven, Connecticut
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great experience

VERIFIED   Evening Fishing Trips - 4 hours on August 1, 2023
We were visiting the area and wanted to try a new experience for our family. The crew was wonderful. They answered our questions...
Tia B. recommends Nightjack Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
  John Alves Captain replied

Mike Z.
Cheshire, CT
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

A superb 50th wedding anniversary

VERIFIED   Evening Fishing Trips - 5 Hours on May 5, 2023
Captain John and mate Ryan were superb.  Knowledgeable, engaging, and committed to ensuring we had fun and fish.  We even...
Mike Z. recommends Nightjack Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
  John Alves Captain replied