North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

The bass and big blues seem to be hard to come by on the North Shore. Between the warm weather pushing the bass to deeper water and no large bait to be found, quality fish just don’t seem to be around. However, John from Terminal Tackle in Kings Park reported that large bass can be found in about 50 feet of water off Cranes Neck and in Smithtown Bay. Anglers that have been chunking are pulling some quality fish from these areas if they are willing to put in the time.

Bottom fishing seems to be the way to go on the North Shore and they will bite on just about anything you send down. Sand eels and alewives are in the area giving these fish a lot to feed on. There are plenty of fluke around, you just have to head to deeper water to find the larger fish. Smaller fish are still hanging around in the shallows but the keepers have headed out to about 40 feet of water. Peanut bunker have proved very effective for landing big fish. John from Terminal Tackle mentioned that there are still a good number of fluke in the Nissequogue River, but doesn’t think they will stay there much longer after this heat wave.

Porgy action has been solid as well with fish in close to shore and in deep water. Phil from Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle said scup up to 3lbs can be caught off the beach using clams and sandworms. Best bet is to try early in the morning or late afternoon as they have been stacking up in 40-50 feet during the day when it starts to heat up.

The Sea Bass season has started off slow around the entire Island, but a few have mixed in with the fluke and porgy on the North Shore. John from Terminal Tackle reported that they are seeing a lot of shorts but keepers of 2.5-3 lbs have mixed in. They are most active when the tide is changing and the porgy bite has slowed down.

Snappers are in the area and in some spots are just large enough to catch, but many are still a little too small.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

South shore action seems to be pretty slow all around, but it looks a little better the further east you go. Bass are pretty nonexistent due to the rising water temperatures apart from a few teen size fish that are cruising the beaches. Bryce from White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays also said bass are being taken in Shinnecock Inlet and in the ocean on live bait.

The fluke bite doesn’t seem a whole lot better. John from Trophy Tackle in West Babylon reported there are still some fluke in the bays, but few keepers are hanging around, and Mike from Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh reported that the ocean fluke bite has turned on so anglers will have to head to deeper water to find a keeper.

Bryce from White Water reported that snappers are large enough to catch and a few sea bass can be found on local rock piles and wrecks.

Metro NY Fishing Report

There are some bass being caught around western Long Island, and depending where you go you could pull up a 50 pounder like the one weighed in this week at Jack’s Bait and Tackle in the Bronx. Stella Maris Bait and Tackle in Brooklyn reported that there are few keepers in the area but plenty of schoolies in the 18-24” range to keep anglers busy. Best spot for a little fun is around Breezy Point using small 1oz Deadly Dicks.

According to John from Jack’s Bait and Tackle, porgy are stacked up in shallow water around David’s Island and John from Hudson Park Bait and Tackle in New Rochelle said scup can be found all over in shallow and deeper water.

Stella Maris Bait and Tackle reported that fluke have been holding outside of Marine Park Bridge and there are plenty of keepers in the area. John from Hudson Park Bait and Tackle said fluke up to 7 lbs can be found in shallow and deep water, and the sea robins seem to be leaving anglers alone a bit lately.

No reports of sea bass yet in western Long Island.

East End Long Island Fishing Report

The east end of Long Island seems like a good place to be right now. On the North Fork, Bill from Jamesport Bait & Tackle in Mattituck reported that bass are being caught off of Hortons and at the Race on yellow and white bucktails in the afternoon just before dark and on live eels. Paulie’s Tackle in Montauk said that the big bass have moved to deep water but some teen sized bass are being caught east of the town beaches to the point using clams.

Fluke are everywhere in Montauk according to Paulie, and Bill said the fluke bite is pretty good in the Sound off the motel.

Porgy action is decent in the Sound and in the Peconic, and scup and triggerfish are hot off of Montauk.

Snappers are showing up on the North Fork and are just about big enough to be caught. There are also some cocktail blues being landed using diamond jigs according to Bill from Jamesport Bait & Tackle.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Most of the bigger fish from bass to fluke have headed out to deeper water, so if you want to put in the time for a keeper, some North Shore and East End spots should produce quality fish.

Bottom fishing should keep you happy with big porgy stacked up all over your favorite rock piles and plenty of short fluke to sort through; however, you’ll be hard pressed to find a sizable sea bass. The consensus from all the shops has been that the sea bass fishing was better before the season actually opened.

Big blues are nowhere to be found either, but snappers and cocktails are all over so it’s a good time to take the kids out and get their rods bent.