Striper Fishing Stays Hot
Fishing remains strong across Long Island throughout most of New York State. Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy has many anglers thinking more about storm preparation instead of migratory striped bass. Hopefully the storm will weaken and track further east than anticipated because the fishing is hot right now off the western south shore. Tog fishing also remains strong just about everywhere, and the only change this week is that some of the larger fish are beginning to slide into deeper water. It’s time to break out the foul-weather gear and get fishing because it won’t be long before 2012 is in the books.
East End
Although Montauk is no longer the only “go to” option for linesiders like it was at the beginning of the month, there’s still plenty of nice bass being caught at The End. Scott from Star Island Yacht Club reports that the charter boats which have been trolling wire through the chop off the point have been doing very well. Six-pack trips have still be putting together limits of quality bass, including some pushing well into the 40-pound class. The smaller charter boats have also been doing well stripers off Fisher’s Island. Although the bass have been smaller, averaging in the low 20-pound class, they’re showing up in good numbers. Live bait has been the way to go off Fisher’s, and Scott added that eels, spots and croakers are all producing fish. The tog are also still holding off Fisher’s in good numbers, providing a good two-for-one option for anglers. It’s been a tough week to get offshore, although one boat from Star Island did get out to Atlantis Canyon this week and landed six bigeyes on an overnighter. It’ll be interesting to see what Sandy does to shake up the offshore fisheries, there’s definitely still plenty of life out there. From the surf, Paulie from Paulie’s Tackle of Montauk reports that fishing was a little spotty this week due to the persistent west winds. However, there were some nice fish caught at Ditch Plains this week on bucktails during the day. The crew at Paulie’s is also gearing up for this approaching system. Paulie told me he’d just finished rebuilding two of his Van Staals in preparation for the storm. There’s a good chance the fishing off the Point will light up quickly once the wind goes east.
Shinnecock and Peconic Bay
The bass are still holding pretty thick in the Shinnecock area, although the general movement west continues. The crew at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays reports that the bass are still showing up in the inlet consistently and in decent numbers. Eels and other live bait options like bunker and spot are still the best option for hooking into a few linesiders. However, artificals like topwater plugs and bunker spoons will also draw strikes, especially on tides when the bass are feeding heavy. The biggest issue lately has been getting outside Shinnecock Inlet which has been a little nautical for most of the week. Luckily, there’s still some nice fish inside the bay. Bass to 30-pounds are still being caught around the Ponquogue Bridge. Clams are working on these late October bass, but live bait seems to be the most reliable option.
South Shore
Most of the blitzes have now moved to the central and western south shore, and many anglers are excited to see their locals haunts once again full of life. Captain Ed from Jones Beach Fishing Station at Field 10 reports a very good week for fishing overall. Tog fishing has been excellent, and many of the Jones Beach sharpies are still landing limits of keeper blackfish from shore. Targeting significant structure like piers and bridge pylons is your best bet for getting into some nice tog from shore. Just make sure you use a heavy fluorocarbon leader and keep that drag tight. I love catching big tog from shore because the fight is more like a brief tug of war between angler and fish. The bluefish are still cruising around the inlet testing drags and snapping a few rigs. Most of the blues are in the 5 pound “cocktail” category, although there’s still some big “gators” around. One blue caught on a tin at Field 6 this week tipped the scale at an impressive 19 pounds. Bass are also being caught from the open beaches, and also willing to hit metals in the wash during the day. Bass to 30 pounds showed up at the station this week, and the action should remain strong well into November. One more option worth checking out is the kingfish bite that’s still going strong off the piers. A high-low rig and box of sandworms is about all you need to put some nice filets on the table right now. I checked in with the crew at Trophy Tackle in Babylon who told me reports have been few-and-far between this week. There are a few bass around, although the numbers haven’t been great. Blackfishing has also remained decent, and some nice tog have even been showing up on the rock piles in the bay. This might be a good local option for the weekend once the groundswell from Sandy reaches the island. Blackfish jigs like those made by Tidaltails are a good option for targeting big whitechins in shallow water.
North Shore
Water temperatures are still trending higher in the Long Island Sound than off the south shore, and there’s still plenty of nice fish being caught. Stan from Rocky Point Fishing Stop reports similar conditions as last week. Tog fishing remains strong in shallow water, there’s a lot of 2- to 5-pound bluefish moving along the beaches and the jumbo porgies remain plentiful. Bigger blues are being caught on diamond jigs further out in the sound, and mixing in with a few bass. Mark from Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport also commented on the quality blackfish bite in shallow water, adding that some of his regulars were pulling nice fish from as shallow as nine feet of water. However, some big togs are also sitting on structure in deeper water. One of Mark’s regulars has been doing well fishing structure in 45 feet of water, so don’t be afraid to try some deeper drops.
Metro New York
The big bass are back within city limits, and those putting in the time are being rewarded with some nice fish. On the Marilyn Jean IV out of Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, solid fishing continues on all fronts. Porgy and sea bass fishing continues to be strong, and many anglers are reaching their limit before the day’s out. Up in City Island, the Island Current Fleet has also been enjoying some quality fall fishing. Togging has been solid, and should improve as boat traffic on the local drops decreases. The nighttime bite for bluefish has also been red hot with full boat limits being caught on recent trips.
Upstate
Steelhead and salmon fishing continues to be great for anglers fishing the tributary streams of Lake Ontario, and the crew at Narby’s Station in Kent reports some really big brown trout being caught in local streams. Staying in one spot is key right now, as the fish are on the move. As it has been, fishing with single eggs and egg sacs it the best option for hooking into some nice fish. Down in the Catskills, Matt from Beaverkill Angler in Roscoe reports quality fall angling conditions. Hatches have become sporadic, with only olives popping up occasionally, but streamer and nymph fishing has been good.
Best Bets
Heading down to Captree is a great option for the upcoming weekend, assuming the inlets aren’t all ready too snotty to navigate. The diamond jig bite has been pretty phenomenal, and although there’s a lot of bluefish around, plenty of linesiders are mixing in and willing to hit the vertical jigs. If Sandy does shut down the headboat fleet this weekend, hitting the surf is a good backup option. Just make sure to use your common sense when fishing the churned up surf. The rolling whitewater should plentiful off the south shore this weekend, presenting an irresistible hunting ground for the migrating bass. Just make sure to maintain your situational awareness when surfcasting in the slop. Tight lines.