Captain
Tom LaCognata

Member since November 2018 New York City, United States
Background
Capt. Tom has been fishing for more than 45 years, so it's safe to say that he's got plenty of angling experience and knowledge under his belt! He's a local New Yorker, but has fished all over the States, as well as exploring the plentiful fisheries of Costa Rica, Mexico, and Aruba. He decided to turn his passion for angling into a career over 10 years ago, and has been running successful charters ever since. His favorite part of the job is seeing his customers have fun, and helping newbies and little ones learn the tricks of the trade. He loves helping kids reel in their first fish! Your captain also participates in tournaments, and won the prestigious Brooklyn Shark Tournament in 2016. As well as this, he has experience of battling seriously big game fish – he once hooked a whopping 500 lb Black Marlin, which took him 45 minutes to reel in!
Techniques
Bottom, trolling, drifting.

Hey, I'm Captain Tom LaCognata

New York City, United States
Background
Capt. Tom has been fishing for more than 45 years, so it's safe to say that he's got plenty of angling experience and knowledge under his belt! He's a local New Yorker, but has fished all over the States, as well as exploring the plentiful fisheries of Costa Rica, Mexico, and Aruba. He decided to turn his passion for angling into a career over 10 years ago, and has been running successful charters ever since. His favorite part of the job is seeing his customers have fun, and helping newbies and little ones learn the tricks of the trade. He loves helping kids reel in their first fish! Your captain also participates in tournaments, and won the prestigious Brooklyn Shark Tournament in 2016. As well as this, he has experience of battling seriously big game fish – he once hooked a whopping 500 lb Black Marlin, which took him 45 minutes to reel in!
Techniques
Bottom, trolling, drifting.
Anglers Choice
Verified
Our Team
Thomas L.
Captain
Thomas L.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(273 reviews)
Angler's choice
New York City
 Last booking: 2 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $500

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 273 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (1654)
great striped seabass fishing day
great striped seabass fishing day
great striped seabass fishing day
+1651
Angler rating
270
3
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
96%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 273 reviews
Mary F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Perfect Family Day

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Porgy/Seabass (AM) on July 12, 2025
Captain Tom & his 1st mate went above and beyond to make a Saturday morning fishing trip one for the books. He didnโ€™t give...
Mary F. recommends Rockaway Fishing Charters
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Anthony M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Definitely recommend even if itโ€™s your first time

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Captain's Choice (AM) on June 22, 2025
The crew was great, they were super helpful and really attentive. Definitely recommend even if you donโ€™t know how to fish....
Anthony M. recommends Rockaway Fishing Charters
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Hal A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

CAUGHT THE BIG ONE

VERIFIED   Juneteenth Full day on June 19, 2025
My 17-year-old grandson and I have been taking annual fishing tris in hopes of hook a large fighting fish.ย  That desire was...
Hal A. recommends Rockaway Fishing Charters
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Gabe M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fish frenzy

VERIFIED   7 Hour Trip โ€“ Bass and Blues on December 1, 2024
Captain Tom took four of us on his absolutely gorgeous boat, that was extremely clean and filled with up to date gear. He chased...
Gabe M. recommends Rockaway Fishing Charters
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3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful
  Tom LaCognata Captain replied

Susan B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Unparalleled Fishing Charter Experience โ€“ A Day to Remember!

VERIFIED   4 Hour โ€“ Captain's Choice Evening on November 30, 2024
If youโ€™re looking for an incredible fishing adventure, look no further than this fishing charter! From the moment we stepped...
Susan B. recommends Rockaway Fishing Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Tom LaCognata Captain replied