Cod Fishing Expected to Improve, Freshwater Fishing Steady
Saltwater options are dwindling for New York anglers with the striper and blackfish seasons closed. Fortunately, freshwater fishing has stayed hot, even though the weather’s gone cold, and it seems like the cod are settling in their winter stay off Block Island.
Though ice-fishing isn’t yet an option, it will be before long. With some deep freezes in the forecast for upstate, before long, anglers will be chasing down flags and pulling plump perch and pike through the ice.
The weather kept most boats at the dock this week, putting the cod out of reach. Last week it looked as though the winter cod bite was off to a good start. When the seas calm down, expect the codfishing to pick back up again out of Montauk. Clams have been reliable, but when baitfish such as herring or mackerel are around, jigs will produce the most fish, and often, the largest. It pays to be prepared with both bait rigs and Norweigen-style jigs on hand when you head out for cod.
The most exciting option in the freshwater right now is the steelhead fishing in the Lake Ontario tributaries. These fish will bite right through the depths of winter. Just make sure you are dressed for it. The frigid temperatures lately have created slush in the lower part of the Salmon River making the fishing impossible in the mornings. Up-river, the river is clear of sluch and ice, but the fishing is a bit picky. The steelhead are sluggish in the 34-degree water temperatures, but are still willing to strike an egg or stonefly pattern.
Pickerel are a good option for freshwater anglers. These miniature pike stay active throughout the depths of winter. They will eagerly strike a shiner fished under a float or a flashy spoon, spinnerbait or jerkbait. Best of all, finding pickerel doesn’t require a long haul to Lake Ontario. If there are any small ponds nearby, odds are, they have pickerel living there.
And if they don’t have pickerel, they definitely have panfish. While perch and bluegills aren’t a very popular option in open water, they are great fun on ultra-light or micro-light gear. Tiny jigs under a float will even outproduce worms at this time of year. Crappies are another fun panfishing option. They can be found in numbers in Lake Ronkonkoma on Long Island and at a host of venues upstate.
Another excellent light tackle option is available in the harbors around the island as sea herring move inshore. Sabiki rigs will keep you in herring two-at-a-time when the bite is on. Lighted docks are popular after dark both with fishermen and the fish. Herring can be kept to eat, kept for bait, or just caught for fun and released to provide an oily meal to a striper, bluefish or bluefin tuna next spring.
There is some good news on the horizon for bottom fishermen. Black sea bass season has been extended through February, allowing anglers to once again take part in this winter fishing tradition. The sea bass are holed up on offshore structures for the winter, and it’s not uncommon to catch them three at a time as they fiercely attack clam baits dropped to the bottom in 150 to 250 feet of water. Party boats on the South Shore and western end of the island will be cashing in on this fishery
Best Bets for the Weekend
The seas look like they’ll calm down enough this weekend for headboats to return to the cod grounds around Block Island. After the New Year, black sea bass are back on the menu.
The weather upstate looks a little nasty to warrant the long drive from the coast to Lake Ontario, but as things settle down, the steelhead will be there.
If you just want to wet a line, get some shiners and try for pickerel in a nearby pond.