North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

The stripers are spreading out a bit on the North Shore now. There are still spotty reports of fish deep in The Triangle on bunker chunks, but Phil from Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport said that kayak anglers have been trolling tubes and worms for schoolies in the 10- to 15-pound range in 15 to 30 feet of water at Eatons Neck. John at Terminal Tackle in Kings Park also reported fish in the back of the Nissequogue being caught on plugs or while trolling worms.

We are finally getting some reports of small schools of bunker coming close to shore and in the harbors, and Phil at Cow Harbor said that there are large blues of 9 to 12 pounds chasing them right now. The fish will pop up here and there, but as more bunker move in, the fishing should only improve. John at Terminal Tackle said there are still some snappers in the area, which is unusual for this time of year, but they will most likely disappear soon.

The fluke have checked out, but the porgy bite is still “hot and heavy”, according to Carmine at Camp-Site Sport Shop in Huntington Station. Worms and clams are the best baits, and all the usual rocky areas are producing fish. There are more sea bass mixing in every week, especially at The Triangle, as well as some weakfish caught while fishing for fluke and porgy using clam and squid at Eatons Neck.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

The bass bite is still spotty, but getting better every week. The Shinnecock Inlet has been holding fish of 15 to 20 pound, according to Bryce from White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays. He also said that there are some bunker schools out in the ocean, and there is a chance you might find some bass on them, although it’s more likely there will only be bluefish.

Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reported that there are a ton of blues in about 20 feet of water off The Church in Rockaway. Anglers using diamond jigs and live bunker have taken fish there over 16 pounds. Anglers also fishing around the AB Reef in about 50 feet of water have been chasing the birds and jigging and trolling for monster blues. Reports of huge fish up to 20 pounds have been coming from the area.

Dan from Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh reported fluke over 11 pounds weighed in from the AB Reef. He also said the area between the 2^nd Wantagh Bridge and the Meadowbrook Bridge is producing some keepers as well on squid and spearing. Further to the east, Bryce from White Water said the fluke are deep in the ocean in 45 to 90 feet of water.

The AB Reef is also a good spot for porgy and sea bass with a good amount of fish being caught using clams. Bryce said that on the eastern South Shore the sea bass are sliding offshore and are found in about 100 to 120 feet of water.

Metro Long Island Fishing Report

Stripers are starting to show up in the Metro area, although as of now, there are a lot of shorts with only a handful of keepers in the mix. Mike from Jack’s Bait & Tackle in the Bronx said that they can be found in shallow water around City Island using bunker or trolling worms. You can also jig for them if you find some birds, and Louie from Island Bait and Tackle in the Bronx also said Hewlett’s has some bass up to 34 inches during the early morning.

There really aren’t any specific spots for the bluefish as they are moving all over chasing schools of bunker. Stretch from Stella Maris Bait & Tackle in Brooklyn did say though that Buoy 17 is doing well, and fresh bunker seem to be working the best. If you find the fish, you can expect some of decent size between 10 to 15 pounds. Snapper fishing is still good with fish all over, including the City Island Bridge, Pelham Bay, and Orchard Beach.

Fluke fishing seems to be done in the Metro area, but John from Hudson Park Bait & Tackle in New Rochelle said it is still “porgy galore” out there. Louie from Island Bait said the fishing is phenomenal with 17- to 18-inch scup the norm around Huckleberry and Davis Island, Orchard Beach section 1, and all over New Rochelle. No sea bass reports, but the weakfish and spot are still in the areas around Floyd Bennett Field, according to Stretch from Stella Maris. Mike at Jack’s Bait also said a few blackfish are being caught in shallow water, but since the season doesn’t start until October 5th, all fish were released. The shop is gearing up with plenty of crabs in anticipation of the opener.

East End Long Island Fishing Report

Glen from Paulie’s Bait & Tackle in Montauk reported that the striper fishing is heating up on the south side of the Point. Plus, 10- to 20-pound fish are grouping together at night under the light, and eels and darters are working well. He also said that Turtle Cove and Ditch Plains are holding fish. Mike from Star Island Marina in Montauk said that anglers are catching a good amount of fish in The Rips while trolling or using live bait, but there are a lot of blues to contend with. On the Sound side, Bill at Jamesport Bait & Tackle in Mattituck said that boat anglers are catching stripers off of Horton’s, but the beach has been quiet. The blues are mixing in with the bass in all areas, and fish up to 15 pounds have been reported.

The fluke seem to have spread out and have begun moving west, but a few of the common areas, including the Trailer Park to Hither Hills and out at Frisbees, still have fish, according to Glen from Paulie’s. Mike at Star Island also said there are some fluke still on the south side, but the consensus for the East End is that you really have to work for them now.

The porgy bite in the Bay from Buoys 17 to 30 is still good, with kingfish, weakfish, and blowfish mixing in, according to Bill at Jamesport. He also said that both porgy and sea bass are being caught on the stretch by The Motel and the Firing Range. The fish are also around Block Island for those wanting to travel a bit. The albies and bonito are around and there are reports that the fly guys are having fun with them around Gardiner’s Island.

Best Bets for the Weekend

With the first few days of Fall behind us already, the stripers are starting to move on the East End and if you don’t mind the blues, it is probably the best bet for some action. To get away from the blues, try fishing at night off the Point, or venture out in your own neck of the woods and see if the bass have moved in yet. If they aren’t there now, they will be soon enough.

This will be your last weekend to feast on fluke, which comes at a good time since they are getting scarce, but the western South Shore on the Reefs will probably give you the best shot at a late season doormat.

Porgy are still abundant in all the places you would think to find them, and the sea bass keep getting bigger each week. Albies and bonito are the new game in town though, and if you want to get away from the same old stuff, head out east and try hooking up with them. With Fall weather sometimes not being so favorable, it is important to get out on those nice days when you can.