Striped bass and Flounder still best bets, and signs of spring are upon us!

 

North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle reported that the bass bite has improved with schoolies with an occasional fish to 15 pounds being caught. Worms, bunker, darters, bombers and rubber shad have been taking their share of fish. Flounder fishing is really good right now. Many of the sandy/rocky areas in Lloyd Harbor, East Huntington Bay, Eaton’s Neck Beach and Centerport Harbor have all been producing some quality flounder fishing.

Robert at Hi Hook Bait and Tackle said that flounder fishing has improved with anglers catching their limit and releasing several more keepers in the 13- to 15-inch size range. There is also a good bass bite in Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington Bay and Lloyd Harbor. Most of the fish are in the 20- to 22-inch size, with bigger fish being caught the farther west you travel.

Camp-site Sports Shop Inc. reported a better flounder bite this week as water temperatures are slowly rising. As for striped bass, there has been some schoolie action at the outflow and at Crab Meadow Beach with both worms and lures taking fish.

John at Hudson Park Bait and Tackle said that high winds have put a damper on the fishing, but those who can get out have been doing very well with bass in Turtle Cove, Manhasset Bay and Little Neck Bay. And with the fluke opener still a couple weeks away, one angler caught and released a 3-pound fluke.

Robert at L.I. Outdoorsman said that area back bays are producing schoolie bass on artificials, while the West Bar at Jones Inlet is producing for those who are drifting clams. Flounder action in Jamaica Bay is also very good right now with many anglers catching their limits.

 

Metro New York Fishing Report

Johns at Jack’s Bait and Tackle said the bass action in the western Sound is very good right now with mostly schoolies, but larger fish are showing in greater numbers each day. Shortly before my call, he had just weighed in a couple fish to 25 pounds. Areas such as Eastchester Bay, Little Neck Bay, Manhasset Bay and Sands Point have all been producing nice fish.

Louie at Island Bait and Tackle also agreed that the bass fishing in the western Sound is awesome right now. Small plugs, rubber jigs in the ½- to ¾-ounce sizes, and baits such as clams and worms have been working great. Flounder action has also been very good, with many shop regulars catching limits and releasing additional keepers. Pelham Bay Bridge, Old Train Bridge, and Orchard Beach Lagoon have been the best places to try for some flounder.

Vinnie at Bernie’s Fishing Tackle that striper action has been good in the Rockaways, Radar Pier, Staten Island and Raritan Bay. Anglers have been scoring with bass while soaking bunker chunks as well as tossing plugs and bucktails.

A call into Stella Maris Bait and Tackle reported that local flounder action is still really good and bass action has improved with fish being caught off Floyd Bennett Field.

 

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Frank at Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle said the local docks have been producing some bass to 33 inches for those soaking worms or bunker chunks. He even had a reported of bluefish being caught from the Patchogue Dock on bunker chunks. Frank also had the first reports of weakfish being caught in the bay on jellyworms.

White Water Outfitters reported that anglers are still scoring well with flounder in the back bays were the water is warmer. Many of the tidal creeks are also producing schoolie bass for anglers casting small artificials.

Mark at Bay Park Fishing Station reported that boats that were trolling and jigging in Raritan Bay were catching some bass, and sinker bouncers were also catching flounder in that area as well. Closer to home, anglers were catching some small bass while drifting clams at the Atlantic Beach Bridge.

 

North Fork Long Island Fishing Report

Bill at Jamesport Bait and Tackle said that there has been some schoolie bass being caught from local tidal creeks, otherwise all was quiet.

 

Montauk Fishing Report

To the east in Montauk, Star Island Marina reported the first signs of bass in the area. Several anglers were catching schoolies in the 12-16” from both the beach and by boat.

 

Long Island Fishing Forecast

Anglers to the west are catching more, and larger striped bass than those anglers to the east. This time of year though, that can change in a blink of an eye. New arrivals of baitfish enter the area everyday, with the predators that feed upon them right on their tails. With the first reports of bluefish and weakfish in our area, it is only a matter of days before the whole island is seeing good catches of fish.