Bell 8 Charters 

4.9/5 (80 reviews)
 Shore Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371, United States

Bell 8 Charters 

4.9/5 (80 reviews)
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Shore Road
Old Lyme, CT, United States

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.

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 80 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (53)

Fishing with Jack
Great trip
Great trip
+50

Angler rating

74
4
1
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

94%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

83%

Showing 1 - 5 of 80 reviews
Showing: 5 of 80 reviews
Manuel Gonzalez
Manuel Gonzalez
5.0
Verified
Great experience
3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on August 5, 20253 adults1 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.
0
Patrick Rae
Patrick Rae
5.0
Verified
Great trip
3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on July 28, 20252 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
Review media 0
Review media 0
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0
Julianne Smith
Julianne Smith
5.0
Verified
Looking forward to another trip next year
3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on July 29, 20251 adult1 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:
Black Seabass
Scup (Porgy)
Flounder
Response from Captain
August 7, 2025
thanks Julianne
0
Molly Keegan
Molly Keegan
5.0
Verified
Just what we hoped for
3 Hour Trip - Weekend & Holidays on September 13, 20254 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:
Black Seabass
Scup (Porgy)
Response from Captain
September 13, 2025
thank you
0
Donald Sonn
Donald Sonn
5.0
Verified
Great day on the water
3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on August 7, 20253 adults1 child
Seasoned captain who genuinely likes to see people have a good time. Great outing
Reported catch:
Flounder
Scup (Porgy)
Response from Captain
September 13, 2025
thank you, your crew is welcome back anytime!
0

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
December 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
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)
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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)
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US $500 
Entire boat: up to 4 people

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 80 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (53)

Fishing with Jack
Great trip
Great trip
+50

Angler rating

74
4
1
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

94%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

83%

Showing 1 - 5 of 80 reviews
Showing: 5 of 80 reviews
Manuel Gonzalez
Manuel Gonzalez
5.0
Verified
Great experience
3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on August 5, 20253 adults1 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.
0
Patrick Rae
Patrick Rae
5.0
Verified
Great trip
3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on July 28, 20252 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
Review media 0
Review media 0
Review media 0
0
Julianne Smith
Julianne Smith
5.0
Verified
Looking forward to another trip next year
3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on July 29, 20251 adult1 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:
Black Seabass
Scup (Porgy)
Flounder
Response from Captain
August 7, 2025
thanks Julianne
0
Molly Keegan
Molly Keegan
5.0
Verified
Just what we hoped for
3 Hour Trip - Weekend & Holidays on September 13, 20254 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:
Black Seabass
Scup (Porgy)
Response from Captain
September 13, 2025
thank you
0
Donald Sonn
Donald Sonn
5.0
Verified
Great day on the water
3 Hour Trip - Weekdays (AM) on August 7, 20253 adults1 child
Seasoned captain who genuinely likes to see people have a good time. Great outing
Reported catch:
Flounder
Scup (Porgy)
Response from Captain
September 13, 2025
thank you, your crew is welcome back anytime!
0

FAQs about Bell 8 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
21 ft
Year built
2005
Boat manufacturer
Steiger Craft
Boat type
Cuddy cabin

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 150HP
Max cruising speed
32 knots
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What’s biting in Old Lyme right now

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