Even with inclement weather making it difficult getting out, anglers are still experiencing some great action.

 

North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

According to Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle bass and bluefish are biting very well for anglers fishing from both shore and boat. Fluke fishing has also improved, with anglers doing well in areas around the Nissequogue River, Mount Sinai Harbor and Port Jefferson Harbor.

John at Terminal Tackle said the Triangle is producing striped bass to 20 pounds with anglers trolling umbrella rigs and parachute jigs having an edge over those fishing with bunker chunks. The fluke bite has improved with anglers having some nice catches from Huntington Bay, east to Stony Brook Harbor in 15 to 30 feet of water.

Robert at Hi Hook Bait and Tackle reported that anglers have been catching bass to 25 pounds while fishing just outside of Cold Spring Harbor and Huntington Bay. Fluke fishing has also improved with fish to 5 pounds being caught from Smithtown Bay and Sand City.

 

Metro NY Fishing Report

Hudson Park Bait and Tackle said that there is a good run of bass coming from the Rye area. Anglers fishing with bunker have been scoring with fish to 20 pounds.

John at Jacks Bait and Tackle said the bass and bluefish action is very good right now. Anglers using bunker are scoring with larger fish. On the porgy front, local party boats are seeing great action with many anglers coming home with their limits.

Louie at Island Bait and Tackle said bass action at the Stepping Stones has been really good on the out going tide with fish to 42 inches being caught. Anglers are still catching some flounder, and Louie caught and released a 15 pound blackfish that inhaled his flounder hook and gave him quite the fight. Porgies have really turned on, with many from the shop heading east to Smithtown Bay. Fluke to 6 pounds have also been coming from the area around Sands Point and Smithtown Bay.

Stella Maris Bait and Tackle said even with the cooler temperatures this week, the bass and bluefish bite is very good. Anglers fishing from shore with bunker are catching some quality fish.

 

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Trophy Tackle reported some good fluke action on the out going tide at Jones Inlet, Merrick Bay, Reynolds Channel and Point Lookout with bucktails having the edge on catching some quality fish. Bluefish are just about everywhere, so look for the birds to get in on the action. There have been some weakfish being caught in the State Channel and near the Captree Boat Basin.

Causeway Bait and Tackle said there is a good fluke bite in Reynolds Channel and in Merrick Bay. They also reported hat bluefish are very abundant throughout the bay. Anglers who are drifting clams at the west bar are picking away at some striped bass. For the sinker bouncers, flounder and blowfish are being caught at the Sore Thumb.

Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle reported anglers have been catching bass to 20 pounds along with some bluefish at the West Sayville dock. Weakfish have made a showing in the Quogue Canal with pink plastics, jelly worms and sandworms being the best lures/bait.

White Water Outfitters said the fluke action is very good right now both inside and outside of Shinnecock Inlet. Anglers are doing well with bass from the inlet to the bridge on both artificials and clams. Over in the Peconic Bay, anglers are experiencing a smorgasbord of porgies, fluke weakfish, bluefish and bass.

Bay Park Fishing Station reported that the bass bite on clams is very good right now with many shop regulars catching their limits to 21 pounds from Sandy Hook. Fluke to 6 pounds are being caught from the golf course.

 

Montauk Fishing Report

Paulie’s Tackle of Montauk said it was a tough week with the weather keeping many anglers home. Those who did make it out, had picky action with bass, but did well with fluke on the south side.

 

North Fork Fishing Report

Bill at Jamesport Bait and Tackle reported good action in the bay with some huge porgies coming from the Buoy 17. Good reports of fluke have been coming from the oyster factor, the green lawns and the south race at Robins Island. Anglers using high low rigs drifting for fluke have also been catching some weakfish.

Captain Mike from the Prime Time III said bass action at the Gut and the Race is excellent right now with limits common and fish to 25 pounds being caught. Fluke fishing is building with most pool fish in the 6- to 7-pound range with several fish to 10 lbs. weighed in. Captain Mike said the porgy fishing is absolutely phenomenal right now, with boat limits being caught in an hour and a half with double and triple-headers a common occurrence. He noted that the fish are VERY big right now with a 21”, 4 lb porgy caught earlier this week.

 

Best Bets for the Weekend

With good weather forecasted for the upcoming weekend, anglers stand a good chance to catch some quality fish. While fluke fishing, try adding a high hook to increase your chances of catching a weakfish. Bluefish seem to be just about everywhere in the bays, so keep a rod at the ready to cast if a hungry school of blues should pop up. For those looking to land a big bass, keep an eye out for the bunker schools. The last couple years on the south shore, these schools have yielded many 50-pound bass for those live-lining bunker around these schools.

The only thing I know for sure is, if you are not out there, you can’t catch ‘em!