North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

While the bass fishing has slowed on the North Shore, John at Terminal Tackle in King’s Park suggests heading to deeper water to find a keeper. Chunking or trolling in 30 to 50 feet of water has produced the best catches, but John suggests you need to put a lot of time in for few fish.  The boys at Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle in Northport Harbor seconded this and said the dreaded “summer doldrums” may have begun. They believe a lack of big bait is the main reason the bass bite has been slow.

There is good news, however, as the fluke action is nothing short of red hot on the North Shore. John mentioned fishing near Sunken Meadow and the Golf Course has been fantastic, but the fishing has been the best in the Nissequogue River. He said the action is hot and shows no signs of stopping. Back at Cow Harbor word of waves of snapper blues are starting to show up. The schools are spotty right now but seem to be getting more concentrated daily.

Porgy fishing has been excellent from boat and shore, especially in the mornings and evenings when the beach goers have left for the day. Boat anglers should focus on 30 feet of water for their best chances at dinner plate sized porgies.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

More of the same slow bass fishing on the south side this week but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Trophy Tackle in West Babylon got word of a large school of bunker South West of the Island. With the winds we have had all week there is a great chance that bait will make it to the South Shore waters soon. Causeway Bait & Tackle in Wantagh recommends chumming and chunking bunker if you do decide to target striped bass.

The fluke fishing is improving and you can count on certain tides to produce more than others. Focus on the end of the ebb and beginning of the flood tide for better chances at keeper fluke. Like last week Jones Inlet and Beach would be the go to spots if you are searching for flat fish. Causeway Bait reported good catches on the West side of the Meadowbrook on those same tides.

East End Long Island Fishing Report

Eastern Long Island seems to have it all going on right now. Scott at Star Island Marina reported great bass fishing, as the marina has weighed in 15 fish over 40 pounds this week alone. Scott suggests live lining spot or eels if you prefer bait, or snapping wire with parachute jigs if you are more of the trolling type.

While the bass fishing seems to be steady by boat, shore anglers are also doing well hauling in schoolies and keepers from Montauk Light South through Camp Hero.

Star Island reports fluke fishing has improved to nothing short of amazing. Flat fish lovers are being treated with average size fish between 2 and 4 pound with a steady dose of 10 pound plus fish landed.  One local charter captain put his sports on 4 fish over 10 pound in a single trip this week.

Offshore

It finally looks like a weather window has opened up for blue water anglers this weekend. While trips south to the canyons have been spotty at best, Whitewater Outfitters in Hampton Bays reports shark fishing as good as it gets. Fish from 100-220 pounds are the norm with a nice mix of mako and thresher sharks. The guys recommend targeting the 20-30 fathom curve for the best chance of success. Reports of sporadic Bluefin have also filtered in but there does not seem to be any method the madness of these fish.

Best Bets for the Weekend

The East end seems to have a smorgasbord of fish for inshore anglers. Whether bass, blues, or fluke, the East end seems to have it all right now. Bottom fishermen will be able to take advantage of the opening of black sea bass season this weekend and can expect decent catches on the south side with the abundance of sand eels in the water. If you are looking to take the family out head to the North shore and chase the growing schools of snapper blue fish or drop some squid down for some hungry porgies.

Good luck to all the offshore anglers that may finally have a chance to reach the edge this weekend. If all else fails, bring some chum and shark rigs for nearly automatic hookups.