By Tom Schlichter and Lisa Helme Danforth
For a mixed-bag trip of fishing fun and maritime charm, this destination is tough to beat. It doesn’t matter if you’re pulling into Northport Harbor or heading out. Either way, the cruise is beautiful, the village is inviting, and local piscators are battling the catch of the day.
Located about 40 miles east of New York City on Long Island’s beautiful North Shore (half-way between Stamford and Norwalk if cruising across from the Nutmeg State,) Northport Village and its surrounding waters are an exceptionally inviting destination. Here anglers and boaters can enjoy a marvelous mixed bag of good fishing, relaxed touring, cordial shopping and scrumptious dining.
“It’s certainly on the list of places you’ve got to visit,” says Peter Houmere. “Main Street in Northport is one of the most eclectic, 18th century style towns you’ll ever find.”
To be sure, this is a seaside village that will step you back in time to mainstream America. That’s part of the reason why the 1997 American romantic comedy film In and Out was filmed here. That plot originally called for an Indiana setting but Northport Village had the Americana look its producers wanted to portray.
“All that aside,” says Houmere, “this is one town that’s even more interesting if you visit by boat.” Houmere should know. After all, he’s a manager/co-owner at Northport’s Britannia Yachting Center (www.britanniayachtingcenter.com,) one of the larger and best-equipped dockages on the southern side of Long Island Sound.
“This isn’t exactly ‘undiscovered country,’” explains Houmere, “but you would be surprised how many boaters say they are visiting for the first time. It makes you scratch your head because this is such a great destination.”
Indeed, you’ll find just about everything you could want in terms of fishing possibilities here, as well as a village filled with maritime history and a less conspicuous but ever-present cosmopolitan underbelly.
FIRST RATE FISHING
“From a fishing perspective,” notes Mark McGowan of Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle (www.cowharbortackle.com,) these waters are tough to beat. The season starts with bass and blues in early spring, progresses to bottom feeders like fluke and scup, and concludes with a wild fall run that includes just about everything that swims in Northeastern waters. It really is something to experience.”
Just cruise Northport Harbor and you’ll find McGowan’s analysis to be right on the money. Structure, a key for catching bass, is everywhere in the form of near-shore rock piles, boulders and bulkheads. Head out to Northport Bay and you’ll find perfect bottom for tempting summer flatties at Sand City. Move out to the open Sound and dropoffs or slopes produce bass, blues, fluke, scup and blackfish. It really is a cornucopia of piscatorial possibilities.
AMERICANA WITHOUT THE CLICHE
“That might be enough to draw most anglers in for a visit, but you’ll still need to get out of the boat to experience Northport at its finest,” advises Houmere. “This town features a remarkable blend of history with great eating, plenty of culture and tons of shopping. Cruise the shoreline and you’ll see the homes of 18th century captains and ship builders.”
Come ashore for dinner or lunch and you can stop at any of several restaurants or bars for great eats, entertainment and fun times that range from bakeries and delis to an oldstyle diner, family-friendly establishments and fine dining. You could also easily spend an entire day checking out the varied shops. If you are into shipbuilding, be sure to stop by the Northport Historical Society and Museum (631-757-9859).
After exploring town, you’ll maybe want to take a dip. You can do so at Asharoken Beach, due north of the Harbor, or at West Beach in Hobart Park, at the entrance to Northport Bay. Price Bend is another well-protected spot to drop the hook.
“It would take a whole summer to experience all that this town has to offer,” surmises Houmere, “There’s always something new to try. For the evening, stop somewhere to enjoy cocktails or maybe check out the John W. Engeman Theater (631-261-2900.) to catch a musical or enjoy some dinner theater.”
SUPER CENTER FOR MARINERS
Of course, you could get a healthy dose of everything good in Northport simply by pulling into a slip at Britannia Yachting Center. Rarely will you find so many maritime operations wrapped around one central point.
Located on Route 25 just minutes east of Northport Village in the southeast corner of Northport Harbor, Britannia’s list of services clearly goes above and beyond: 310-slips, transient docking, repair and service, marine fueling, pump out, deck, electric, water, cable TV, WIFI and 24-hour security. Marina amenities include a family-friendly private pool with lifeguards, air conditioned/ heated bathrooms, showers and a top-notch team of dock attendants always at your service (VHF channel 9).
And that’s just for starters. Folded into the marina compound are a boat and yacht sales brokerage (The Long Island Marine Group; 631-261-5464,) market and provisions store, super dive center (North Shore Aquatics; www.northshoreaquatics.com) plus fast casual dining (Whales Tale Café; www.whalestalenpt.com,) a full tackle shop (Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle, a marine chandlery- (Tidewater Marine Supply; 631-754-0160,) watersport outfitter (Glacier Bay Outfitters; www.glacierbaysports.com) and even a Freedom Boat Club (www.freedom-boatclub.com; 516-699-8420.)
If you’ve been thinking about getting into boating but haven’t been able to pull the trigger, this last place is worth investigating. Join up and you can use any of the club’s five boats located at Britannia – plus your membership is good at any other Freedom Boat Club franchise in the country – including Port Jefferson, Freeport, Port Washington and Stamford, CT.
Another gem to consider here is Captain Stu’s Fishing Adventures, a hands-on summer fishing day camp for kids ages eight to eighteen. The camp is run by Coastal Angler’s very own Stu Paterson (Stu@coastalanglermagazine.com; 631-707-3266,) who also sails his Northport Charters out of Britannia. There are a couple of other fishing charter ventures, too, so if you – or your kids – want to cut your fishing learning curve, this full-service marina is a great place to start.
TAKE IT DOWN A NOTCH
“It’s not having all these amenities that makes Britannia so popular,” explains Houmere “It’s that the people who own and staff our facilities are actually living the boating and fishing life. “They get it – and they are all experts at their crafts.”
Certainly, the choices here are nearly overwhelming. Among other endeavors you can learn to paddleboard, rent a kayak, take a tour or sign-up for a SCUBA excursion with some of the best instructors on the East Coast.
Whether you decide to tie up at Britannia or not, be sure to find your way into the Whale’s Tale Café before heading home. There are plenty of dining opportunities and fine shops to sample along Main Street in this picturesque village, but a lunch visit or sunset call here is the perfect way to wind things down. On the water yet unpretentious, something as simple as a fish taco and a cold drink can be just what’s needed to ensure a relaxed and smooth cruise home.
What better way to end your day?