Good News For Fluke and Porgy Anglers!

As of May 1, both fluke and porgy seasons are open and both species had reductions in size limits and porgy even saw an increased bag limit. For fluke, season runs May 1 to September 29 with a 19-inch size limit and with a four-fish possession limit. Porgy season runs from May1 to December 31 with a 30-fish limit for both private anglers and those on charter boats. Anglers aboard charter boats from September 1 to October 31 will be allowed 45 fish.

 

 

North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Word at Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle is that the flounder fishing is red hot right now with fish to 20 inches being caught. Outgoing tide, in 2 to 3 feet of water has been holding a good amount of flounder. The striped bass bite has been a little on the slow side, but getting better everyday. Fish to 12 pounds have been caught while plugging or soaking worms with early mornings being the best bet.

John at Terminal Tackle said some shop regulars have been doing well with flounder, mostly keeper sized fish, when fishing the mouths of the harbors. Schoolie bass action has been getting better everyday especially in areas around Smithtown Bay with morning tides working best.

Robert at Hi Hook Bait and Tackle said his customers have been doing really well trolling up bass to 24 pounds just outside Huntington Bay and Cold Spring Harbor on umbrella rigs. There has also been some decent flounder action around Duck Island and Centerport Harbor.

John at Hudson Park Bait and Tackle said that those anglers trolling large lips swimmers, especially those with mackerel patterns, in 30 to 40 feet of water outside Hempstead Harbor have been doing very well with striped bass. From the shore, anglers are catching mostly schoolies, but larger fish are showing up as well.

 

Metro NY Fishing Report

John at Jacks Bait and Tackle reported that the bass bite in the area is very good with fish being weighed in up to 35 pounds. Those anglers heading out on the Island Current have been doing very well with flounder, and catching their share of bass as well.

Louie over at Island Bait and Tackle also confirmed that the striped bass bite is very good right now with fish to 48 inches being weighed in at the shop. Anglers have been fishing baits, such as bunker and worms, in areas around Orchard Beach, especially sections 1 and 13. This same area has also been producing flounder to 3½ pounds for those who are heavily chumming. For those who are tossing plugs in Little Neck Bay and Manhasset Bay, they have been rewarded with schoolie bass.

Ralph at Bernie’s Fishing Tackle said the bass fishing right now is phenomenal. All the regular spots in the bay and ocean have been producing nice fish on bait with clams having the edge over bunker. Gorilla bluefish have also mixed it up with the bass. Anglers that have been bucktailing in the bay for stripers have also been catching some short fluke. Flounder action in the areas of the round house and the Coney Island Flats has also improved.

Stella Maris Bait and Tackle reported that anglers are catching flounder around Plum Beach and the Coney Island Flats. There has also been some good bass action around Floyd Bennett Field and between the Broad Channel Bridge and the railroad trestle.

 

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Trophy Tackle said anglers have been catching bass in the state channel with some fluke mixing in.

Joe at Causeway Bait and Tackle said schoolie bass and bluefish are being caught from the surf. And anglers targeting bass in the bay have also been catching some short fluke.

Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle reported a good start to the bass season. 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. Those heavily chumming in West and Dickerson’s Channels have been doing well with flounder.

A call into White Water Outfitters revealed that the schoolie bite has improved with bluefish now mixing in on the action. Those anglers trying for fluke in the bay have had some luck, but all the fish have been short.

Bay Park Fishing Station reported that there has been some bass action for those trolling west of Debs Inlet and for anglers drifting clams at the Atlantic Beach Bridge.

 

Montauk Fishing Report

Star Island Marina on opening day of fluke reported anglers catching fluke in 80’ of water from the radar tower to the town. More schoolies have been showing on the beach with fish to 12 pounds.

From Paulie’s Tackle of Montauk I heard that anglers have been catching schoolie bass from the surf on bucktails or while soaking worms. The first signs of bluefish made an appearance this week. The opening morning of the fluke season had good action on the south side during the incoming tide.

 

North Fork Fishing Report

Bill at Jamesport Bait and Tackle said the local bays are starting to come to life with bass, blues, weakfish and some short blues. With the water temperature rising everyday, the action will only get better.

 

Best Bets for the Weekend

With good weather in the forecast for the upcoming weekend, anglers should have prime conditions for some really good fishing. Bass fishing continues to heat up everyday, and the fish are quickly moving east. Fluke and porgy seasons are now open and anglers will have more choices this weekend. From some early reports, it sounds like fluke have entered the area and will be waiting for your bucktails and fluke rigs. Even though there are no solid reports of porgies in this week’s report, don’t let that discourage you. Your favorite rock piles/wrecks should be holding some nice sized porgies by now and using chum will keep them around your boat.