I went out on a boat with my brothers 3 years ago by Deer Island and we were going for flounder. We didn't have much luck then, it was July. August is better for flounder I hear. We were fishing on bottom with clams. The only things we got were sculpin. I did get something with some weight to it but when I got it close I lost it. Don't know what I had. I heard when the tide is coming in, in St. Martins anyway, they fish from shore for mackeral. They use 3 hooks with tin foil on 'em. Believe it or not, the mackeral hit 'em. They go by in schools. The guys just line the shore sometimes. You could be getting nothing but the guy next to you might be hammering 'em. I only tried for a few minutes but we didn't get anything. Haven't tried it since. Keep meaning to but just go for mostly brookies now. If you're fishing tidal waters, you don't need a license. Depending on where you are, you might get a striper too. Good luck and definately take pics when you're there whether you catch anything or not and post 'em.