Bell 8 Charters

4.9/5 (80 reviews)

Shore Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371, United States–

Bell 8 Charters

Old Lyme, CT, United States

–

21 ft

4.9/5 (80 reviews)

Trips & prices Targeted species Boat info What's biting What's included Contact captain

Trips & prices What's included Targeted species Boat info Reviews Contact captain

Bell 8 Charters invites you to join Captain Jack Fairburn for a relaxing fishing trip out of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Captain Jack has always loved fishing and decided to pursue his lifelong dream when he retired from teaching. These days, Captain Jack guides anglers on the beautiful waters around Old Lyme.

Fishing is good for a variety of species, and depending on what you wish to target and the season, you can visit a number of productive fishing sites. Captain Jack can take you to Hatchett's Reef, Long Sand Shoal, and the tidal rip off Cornfield Point, depending on where the fish are and the season. Targeted species include Striped Bass, Bluefish, Tautog, Black Seabass, Flounder, Dogfish, Porgy, and more.

The boat is a 21' Steiger Craft with a capacity for four guests. Powered by a 150 HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 32 knots, this vessel is fast and reliable in getting you to and from the productive fishing grounds. The vessel features life jackets for safety, a livewell for the bait, and a GPS and fishfinder used to locate the schooling fish.

Bell 8 Charters offers short trips that last 3 hours, which is long enough to put you on the fish. Fishing trips include rods, reels, tackle, artificial bait, fishing licenses, and a fish processing service at the end.

Popular features

Fishing license

You keep catch

Catch cleaning & filleting

Child friendly

Rods, reels & tackle

Popular features

Fishing license

You keep catch

Catch cleaning & filleting

Child friendly

Rods, reels & tackle

Customer reviews

Rating

4.9

80 reviews

4.9

Boat & equipment

4.9

Captain & crew

4.9

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (53)

What anglers say

98%

Great experience

94%

Family friendly

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Good boat

98%

Recommended

83%

Caught fish

All reviews (80)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 80 reviews

Manuel Gonzalez

Repeat angler

Indiana, US

•

Member since 2020

•

3 trips

5.0

Verified

Great experience

3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on August 5, 2025 • 3 adults • 1 child

Captain Jack took us on his boat to the sound in front of Niantic and Old Lyme to fish. We caught mostly small fish and a couple of good porgie. Captain Jack is a ver nice person and a professional sailor. Toward the end of the three hours of the trip, we were a little sea sick and asked him to bring us back to shore. He asked us if we really didn't want to try another fishing spot, but we were done for the day. I recommend his fishing tours.

Patrick Rae

Repeat angler

New York, US

•

Member since 2021

•

3 trips

5.0

Verified

Great trip

3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on July 28, 2025 • 2 adults

My son and I do an annual trip on our way home from his summer camp.  Due to an emergency we spent more time at camp than expected so we had to cancel our regular charter.  This was a blessing because we found captain Jack.  He was able to get us in last minute.  It was a great trip, we caught fish all day and he took the time to explain things to my son.  We may have a new regular boat for our annual trip

Julianne Smith

Repeat angler

Connecticut, US

•

Member since 2024

•

2 trips

5.0

Verified

Looking forward to another trip next year

3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on July 29, 2025 • 1 adult • 1 child

Communication with the captain was great. Knowledgeable and responsive out on the water and great with a chatty and inquisitive 11 year old.  Caught a fun mix of fish and had a great time. Easy parking and location to access the boat in a very pretty area.

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

August 7, 2025

thanks Julianne

Molly Keegan

Massachusetts, US

•

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Just what we hoped for

3 Hour Trip - Weekend & Holidays on September 13, 2025 • 4 adults

Weather was perfect and Capn Jack was a great host. Took us to a few spots for bottom feeders, we all caught fish and had a fantastic time on the sound. Highly recommend especially for a laid back experience!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

September 13, 2025

thank you 

Donald Sonn

Massachusetts, US

•

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Great day on the water

3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on August 7, 2025 • 3 adults • 1 child

Seasoned captain who genuinely likes to see people have a good time.   Great outing

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

September 13, 2025

thank you, your crew is welcome back anytime!

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:

Days:

Group Size:

Select date to see availability

June 2026

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa

Number of days

Group Size

2 adults • 0 children

Change

Almost there...

3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM)

FREE Cancellation 1 day notice

3 hour trip starts at 10:00 AM

Seasonal trip

May 1 - Nov 1 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)

US $400

Entire boat: up to 4 people

US $400

Entire boat: up to 4 people

3 Hour Trip - Weekend & Holidays

FREE Cancellation 1 day notice

3 hour trip starts at 10:00 AM

Seasonal trip

May 1 - Nov 1 (Fri, Sat, Sun)

US $500

Entire boat: up to 4 people

US $500

Entire boat: up to 4 people

There are 6 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating

4.9

80 reviews

4.9

Boat & equipment

4.9

Captain & crew

4.9

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (53)

What anglers say

98%

Great experience

94%

Family friendly

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Good boat

98%

Recommended

83%

Caught fish

All reviews (80)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 80 reviews

Manuel Gonzalez

Repeat angler

Indiana, US

Member since 2020

3 trips

5.0

Verified

Great experience

3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on August 5, 2025 • 3 adults • 1 child

Captain Jack took us on his boat to the sound in front of Niantic and Old Lyme to fish. We caught mostly small fish and a couple of good porgie. Captain Jack is a ver nice person and a professional sailor. Toward the end of the three hours of the trip, we were a little sea sick and asked him to bring us back to shore. He asked us if we really didn't want to try another fishing spot, but we were done for the day. I recommend his fishing tours.

Patrick Rae

Repeat angler

New York, US

Member since 2021

3 trips

5.0

Verified

Great trip

3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on July 28, 2025 • 2 adults

My son and I do an annual trip on our way home from his summer camp.  Due to an emergency we spent more time at camp than expected so we had to cancel our regular charter.  This was a blessing because we found captain Jack.  He was able to get us in last minute.  It was a great trip, we caught fish all day and he took the time to explain things to my son.  We may have a new regular boat for our annual trip

Julianne Smith

Repeat angler

Connecticut, US

Member since 2024

2 trips

5.0

Verified

Looking forward to another trip next year

3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on July 29, 2025 • 1 adult • 1 child

Communication with the captain was great. Knowledgeable and responsive out on the water and great with a chatty and inquisitive 11 year old.  Caught a fun mix of fish and had a great time. Easy parking and location to access the boat in a very pretty area.

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

August 7, 2025

thanks Julianne

Molly Keegan

Massachusetts, US

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Just what we hoped for

3 Hour Trip - Weekend & Holidays on September 13, 2025 • 4 adults

Weather was perfect and Capn Jack was a great host. Took us to a few spots for bottom feeders, we all caught fish and had a fantastic time on the sound. Highly recommend especially for a laid back experience!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

September 13, 2025

thank you 

Donald Sonn

Massachusetts, US

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Great day on the water

3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on August 7, 2025 • 3 adults • 1 child

Seasoned captain who genuinely likes to see people have a good time.   Great outing

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

September 13, 2025

thank you, your crew is welcome back anytime!

FAQs about Bell 8 Charters

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

Boat category

Cabin cruisers

Capacity

4 persons

Boat length

21 ft

Year built

2005

Boat manufacturer

Steiger Craft

Boat type

Cuddy cabin

Engine model

Yamaha

1 x 150HP

Max cruising speed

32 knots

Bell 8 Charters

Customer reviews

Rating

Anglers' gallery (53)

What anglers say

All reviews (80)

Trip availability and prices

Customer reviews

Rating

Anglers' gallery (53)

What anglers say

All reviews (80)

FAQs about Bell 8 Charters

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

What’s biting in Old Lyme right now

Compare similar fishing charters