North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

The striper fishing on the North Shore is nothing to write home about. A few fish are still being taken on chunks around Eatons Neck and Buoy 15, but John from Terminal Tackle in Kings Park said you have to put in a lot of time for a chance at a fish. The folks at Campsite Sports Shop in Huntington Station said that night tides are the best bet.

Phil at Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport said that there are blues in the 3- to 7-pound range being caught around Buoy 11B in The Triangle on diamond jigs. There have also been cocktails as well as some bigger blues in the back of the harbors, perhaps feeding on snappers. John at Terminal Tackle said that the snappers are still all over the harbors, but they will be gone pretty soon.

The fluke bite is slowing down, and even called “nonexistent” in some areas, according to Robert at Hi Hook Bait & Tackle in Huntington. There are still a few fish in 40 to 50 feet of water though. Live snappers are still working pretty well, but you’ll have to sort through a lot of shorts.

The porgy bite slowed last week because of the high pressure system that moved through, but it rebounded back and is as good as ever. The scup are in all the usual spots, including rock piles and mussel beds, off the beaches and around the docks, and sandworms and clams are the best baits. Sea bass are mixing in with the porgy, and Phil at Cow Harbor said the big fish are starting to move in, especially around the Obstruction Buoy.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Bryce from White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays said that the striper fishing isn’t what he would call “red hot”, but more fish are showing up every day. Anglers off the beach have been using tins, bucktails, and Gulp to land a few fish.

The story is similar with the blues. They have been caught in the surf zone off the beach, and John from Trophy Tackle in West Babylon said they are showing up in Fire Island Inlet as well.

The fluking is holding up on the South Shore with a consistent pick of fish close to 6 lbs coming from Cholera Banks in about 80 feet of water, according to Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside. The fluke have been hitting on many things, including spearing, squid, spot, and bucktails. Bob from Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh said the shop has been weighing in huge fish from 8 to 13 pounds that were caught on live snappers. They are hanging out close to the area bridges, as well as in Jones Inlet.

The porgy are not very abundant on the South Shore, but you can find them on the western reefs. The sea bass fishing has been doing pretty well, as they are mixing in with the fluke at Cholera Banks, and you can also find them at Rockaway Reef. Bryce at White Water also said there have been some reports of albies and Spanish mackerel in front of the inlet on small tins, but some guys are also using soft plastics and flies.

Metro Long Island Fishing Report

The striper fishing has been hit or miss, but Louie at Island Bait and Tackle in the Bronx said there have been fish caught off Orchard Beach, in Pelham Bay, and around the Stepping Stone Lighthouse.

The blues would be the better bet in the Metro area. There have been a lot of cocktails off King’s Point and in Ambrose Channel on diamond jigs, and Stretch from Stella Maris Bait and Tackle in Brooklyn said the fishing has been good from Nortons Point to the Marine Park Bridge. He also said anglers following the birds have been using jigs to land some blues. The snappers are all around City Island and in Pelham Bay.

The fluke bite is tapering off a bit, although John from Jack’s Bait and Tackle in the Bronx said there are fish being landed off the City Island gas dock, Robins Neck, and around the Throgs Neck Bridge. You can also try the Ambrose Channel for some decent flatties.

The porgy bite continues to be excellent and the fish seem to be everywhere. Louie at Island Bait said big fish of almost 20 inches are in the shallows in about 10-25 feet of water in the New Rochelle area, around Huckleberry Island, and the northeast side of Hart Island. Vinny at Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn said the Rockaway Reef is a good spot for porgy and sea bass using clams and worms. Weakfish are also abundant right now off Floyd Bennett Field and around Buoy 46. Stretch from Stella Maris said worms are working, but livelining spot are even better.

East End Long Island Fishing Report

Paulie from Paulie’s Bait and Tackle in Montauk said anglers have been jigging, chunking, and trolling for stripers in all the usual areas. There has been an influx of anchovy in the area, which has made the bass come toward the shore so the surf guys are having a go at them. Captain Lou out of Star Island Marina in Montauk has weighed fish over 30 pounds, and reported the fishing is good from the Extension to the Pollock Rip and the North Rip.

The blues have been blitzing all around the East End, but you can also find them hauled up around Buoy 17 during the incoming tide, according to Bill from Jamesport Bait & Tackle in Mattituck. He also said alligator blues were being taken off Horton’s Point on eels, bunker, and diamond jigs.

Fluke have been inconsistent this week, but fish are still holding up at Frisbees, and Captain Lou from Star Island said there are huge fish up to 12 pounds hanging out in very deep water at The Elbow.

Bill from Jamesport said the porgy bite is still excellent in the Peconic, especially from Nassau Point and the Firing Point to Buoy 30, with weakfish, kingfish, and blowfish mixing in. Sea bass are also off the Firing Point, and Paulie said anglers targeting them have been doing well at Frisbees and off the Radar Tower.

Best Bets for the Weekend

For stripers, the East End is definitely your best bet for a decent sized fish. Everyone is waiting for the water temperature to drop and maybe even a storm to mix things up to get the fall run going. As the weeks go by, striper fishing should only get better.

Whether you like jigging in deep water or chasing birds, the blues are abundant everywhere and the big guys are on the move.

As the water starts to cool off, you can expect to see fewer fluke, porgy, and snappers. The weather is supposed to be awesome this weekend and stripers and blues can wait another few weeks, so go out and get your last fills of the warm water fish before they are gone.