Trying to ignore the lightning bolts running through my casting shoulder, here are the latest updates on the fishing conditions. Striper action continues to impress just about everywhere. Huge schools of bunker are holding tight and being harassed around the south shores, and clouds of sand eels are finding their way along the north shore. There’s a lot going on, let’s get right into it.
I got a hold of Richard from Camp-Site in Huntington Station, and as usual he had some interesting updates on the fishery, “It’s mostly stripers on the north shore, and blues on the south shore.” Richard also commented that the predominate bait on the north shore remains sand eels and it’s adult bunker on the south shore, with some obvious overlap and assorted other baitfish showing up. Some of the bluefish charging around the south shore are true “gorillas” and easily reaching into the double digits. Richard has also been hearing some scattered reports of anglers catching blowfish from docks along the south shore, even a few showing up on the north shore. It’s good to see a species showing up again in long abandoned places, and it might not be a bag idea to play catch-and-release with these first few returning fish, just so they have a chance to repopulate the local waters.
Scott from East End Bait & Tackle in Hampton Bays filled me in on the latest changes to the bite in-and-around Shinnecock. “The Inlet is on fire with bass right now,” Scott began, “and a lot of action is on clams, if you can believe it or not.” Scott mentioned most of the bunker schools are to the west, and this likely has a lot to do with the bait preference for the local linesiders. Anglers are hooking into nice bass with clams on fish-finder rigs by boat and shore in the area. Aside from the Inlet, the Ponquogue Bridge continues producing bass for those soaking clams as well. Those tossing artificials in the area are seeing their fair share of action, it just happens to be more of a “blue” variety, as bluefish are “just about everywhere” according to Scott. There are plenty of fluke around, as there are throughout fishery, however, finding the “keeper” variety continues to be the problem. Scott reports a short-to-keeper ratio as high as “fifty-to-one” in most places. Those venturing out to the artificial reef out front are finding some really quality black sea bass fishing, in both size and quantity, and those fishing the north end of the canal might even find one or two mixed in with the porgies that are holding there in good number. There are also some quality scup hanging off Robin’s Island and around Roger’s Rock, so get in on the action if you’re ready for some “porgy time” of your own.
Chase from Montauk Marine filled me on the latest from The End. Things are pretty calm in general, especially for Montauk standards. There are some bass around but not a whole lot to write home about, more or less cookie-cutter size bass in the weighing in the low-teens. Fluking right now, is just about the same as everywhere, “lotta fish,” as Chase put it, “but even the headboats are having some trouble getting keepers.” One place they’re not having trouble with keeper-size fish is at the Porgy Hump, as Chase saw some “real big” stuff from a trip earlier this week. One of the more exciting things happening around town right now is word of some “football” bluefin tuna being caught at CIA, and some others spotted just three miles off the beach. It might be worth taking a ride with the heavy spinning gear and upgraded Deadly Dicks, especially if you’re going to be out that way.
Last but not least, I checked in with Jonathan from the Fisherman’s Depot to get the latest on the bite around the NYC and western sound over the past week. Jonathan reports that, “Earlier in the week, fishing was very good,” but that the bigger 25- to 35-pound fish are, “definitely on the move.” However, there are still plenty of bass around the western sound in the 10- to 15-pound range. Those who are producing most consistently are fishing at night with bunker chunks. As everyone said today, Jonathan reports that fluking is slow due to a lack of keeper-size fish. There also continues to be good numbers of porgies in the area.
Best Bets
Well, there’s no shortage of options again this week, as both the numbers of species to target and the places you can find them, continues to expand. If striped bass are on your mind, and why wouldn’t they be, there’s just about an endless number of quality options for tying into a cow this weekend. If you’ll be out east, consider making your way to the Shinnecock area with a supply of clams and fishfinder rigs – the bass should be there to greet you. Setup on the pier next to the Ponquogue Bridge, or head to the Inlet itself, quality fish are coming from both locations right now. If you’ll be sailing out of Fire Island this week, or further to the west, consider heading out extra early in the pre-dawn grey. Bunker schools will be easier to spot while still high-up in the water column, snag a day’s worth for the livewell then fish them on the bottom on with egg sinkers or a fishfinder rig. Getting the baits to the bottom will help reduce the amount of damage blues will do to your gear and help entice the linesiders below feeding off the scraps. If you’re having trouble keeping your “livies” alive due to marauding bluefish, consider soaking chunks on the bottom, particularly the heads, as they tend to produce bass even when the blues are thick. Good luck out there.