New York Fishing Report 11-15-2012

Headboat Tog Fishing stays Hot

The cleanup and rebuilding process from Sandy continues in large sections of the state this week, and some New Yorkers are still without power while others have been displaced from their homes permanently. Admittedly it’s a tough time for everyone, especially those around the city and on Long Island to be thinking about fishing, but sometimes a few hours spent on the water is the best way to get your mind off things. The blackfish bite remains strong just about everywhere, although the bite’s shifted to deeper water. The bass migration continues along the south shore, and good numbers of keeper-size fish are being caught from Montauk all the way to Brooklyn. We’re definitely in the twilight hours of the season, but there’s still some good fishing days to come. Here’s the breakdown.

East End

Montauk is back up and running at full capacity, and the fishing remains productive on several fronts. “There’s been fish on the northside just about every day,” reports Sue at Paulie’s Tackle of Montauk, “and just about everyone going down there is getting them.” White bucktails are doing the trick on these bass which are mostly in the small keeper range. Sue also wanted to remind anglers considering a final trip to The End this season that fuel shortages are no longer an issue in the area. At Star Island Yacht Club, Captain Lou reports all the boats made it though without major damage, although it was a little touch-and-go for a while. But the charter fleet has been getting out this week, and Captain Lou commented the blackfishing is as good as it gets in the deeper water. The bite has moved off the Fishers Island area and is now concentrated on the deeper drops in the 70 to 90 foot range. There’s also still plenty of bass in the rips, although they’ve been hard to access with the persistent swell.

Shinnecock and Peconic Bays

Jeff at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays reports that the shop made it though the storm without any major damage and is open for business. Good fishing has also returned and an increasing amount of anglers are beginning to venture out. “Blackfishing is hot,” Jeff said, adding that “anytime these fish get out on the reefs we do pretty good.” Fishing has been best on the pieces in 60 to as deep as 80 feet of water. There’s also a good amount of bass still in the area. The key right now is finding some good water according to Jeff, as large pockets of stirred up water are still abundant. Live bait is always a good option when the water clarity is less than ideal. Steve at East End Bait & Tackle also reports the shop weathered the storm successfully and is open for business. Fishing reports have been scarce, but there are still some bass around and the blackfish bite on the reefs is good if you’re able to get to them.

South Shore

The western south shore of Long Island took close to a direct hit from Sandy, and the damage to the area is extensive — especially on Fire Island. Ed from Jones Beach Fishing Station lost power for 11 days, and the shop and fishing piers suffered extensive damage. Ed remains optimistic, however, and hopeful that the damage to the shop and piers will be repaired in time for the beginning of the 2013 season. Captain Ed also worked tirelessly in the days and weeks after the storm providing essential supplies and resources for the local community.

North Shore

Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle is up and running in Northport, and made it though the storm relatively unscathed. Fishing reports have been few and far between, however, as those unaffected have been lending a hand to friends and family that were less fortunate. There are some fish out there through, and Mark reports the local blackfishing remains red hot in the neighborhood of 40 feet of water. The striper fishing has been slow, although Mark did comment that the storm shuffled the local sandbars significantly. If you are planning a late season trip be extra cautious out on the water. The storm debris remains thick at times, and some navigational buoys have been shifted both purposefully and non-purposefully.

Metro New York

Captain Chris from the Island Current Fleet in Island City reports both the fleet and docks made it through the storm relatively unscathed and have returned to fishing. The daily 8am blackfish trips have have been very productive recently and the Island Current’s captains are finding lots of life on the local pieces in 40 to 60 feet of water. There’s even been some bass in the mix. Water temperatures are in the low 50s, and still warm enough to keep a few linesiders in the area. The Marilyn Jean IV out of Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn also weathered the storm without significant damage and is back to fishing daily for blackfish and on Fridays and Saturdays for bass. Blackfish trips have been great recently, with all trips this week seeing steady action on every drop. Bass fishing has also been good with live eels doing the trick. This weekend’s trips should also be productive as we work through the tail end of these new moon tides. Bernie’s Bait & Tackle in Brooklyn also made it though the storm without damage are back to fully operational. Although it’s been slow in the shop, the local crew that’s been getting out is doing well. The blackfish bite remains strong, and all the local headboats have been finding plenty of fish in 40 to 60 feet of water. The bass fishing has also remained good after the storm, and there’s even been some larger fish into the low 30-pound class being taking on eels at night.

Upstate

Up in Kent on Lake Ontario, the quality steelhead fishing continues in the local creeks and there’s even been some nice Coho salmon mixing in recently. The crew at Narby’s station reports quality fishing overall in the area, and the salmonids are taking a variety of flies as well as live bait and egg sacs. Nymphs, stone flies, wooly buggers and egg-sucking leech patterns have all been working well. Orchard Creek has been a favorite of the local sharpies recently because of the better-than-average flow rate. It’s also a good time of year for late-season largemouth fishing on the local farm ponds before they ice over. Finesse presentations like rubber worms and live bait options are both good choices for targeting these increasingly sluggish fish.

Best Bets

If you are fortunate enough to be considering a fishing trip this weekend, there are several quality options on the table. The Captree fleet is retuning to fishing this week, and could definitely use the fares after more than two weeks without fishing. The bass are in the inlet pretty thick, and clam chumming trips should produce plenty of quality fish this weekend. Montauk is still holding good numbers of bass, and the north winds this weekend should keep those fish tight to shore on the north side. Blackfishing remains good just about everywhere around the island, so it’s a good time to go check in on your local headboat and see how they faired through the storm. Wherever you decide to fish this weekend, if you’re heading out on your boat keep a few sets of eyes on the water at all times. There’s a lot of debris and other navigational hazards out there. Be careful and tight lines.