North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

The striper fishing is picking up around the Island every week. For the most part, the fish have moved out of deep water on the North Shore with the exception of eastern Eatons Neck, according to Phil from Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport. From the reports, this is one of the few spots where chunking is still working, but Phil said the inner harbors are heating up with kayakers trolling worms. John from Terminal Tackle in Kings Park said the night bite in the back of the Nissequogue is also getting good with anglers taking fish with worms and small swimming plugs, or you can try the front of Smithtown Bay where there are bunker sitting on the drop offs with bass on them.

A few small pods of bunker have started to show up, and with them some big blues as well. Phil at Cow Harbor said the bait has been a little inconsistent, but when the bunker are there, the blues are with them. Fish in the 10- to 12-pound range are being caught throughout the inner harbors and bays, especially Northport.

Porgy fishing is still going strong with guys doing well using sandworms or clams and clam chum. With the fluke season closed, more anglers have been targeting sea bass with nice results. Fish of 3 pounds have been consistently caught at the Triangle, especially around OB and 11B in deep water. Robert from Hi Hook Bait & Tackle in Huntington also reported weakfish at Eatons Neck on bunker chunks.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Stripers are finally on the move on the east and west ends of the South Shore. Greg from Burnett’s Marina Bait & Tackle in Bay Shore said that there are bass at the 3rd Wantagh Bridge by the boats and Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reported that fish up to 33 inches were being caught at night on the incoming tide in Jamaica Bay on bunker. Further to the east, Bert from White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays said there are sand eels all over the beaches with bass on them at night and early morning. Guys have been catching them on diamond jigs and Gulp sand eels.

Blues are spreading out as well with alligators in the ocean south of Jones Inlet in 50 to 70 feet of water. Greg from Burnett’s said using snagged bunker or trolling have worked in this area. There are also reports of fish from the third Wantagh Bridge to the Inlet and off the beaches toward the east.

There is a mixed bag of porgy, sea bass, blowfish, and kingfish at the 3rd Wantagh Bridge being caught on worms and clams and clam chum. Bay Park reported that KO sea bass rigs are doing a number on the porgy and sea bass loaded on the AB Reef. Anglers have been catching some nice blackfish on the Reef as well, but as the season does not open until Saturday, they were safely released.

The guys at White Water Outfitters wanted to let everyone know they have moved into their larger shop about 200 yards east of their current store in Hampton Bays, and invite everyone down to check it out.

Metro Long Island Fishing Report

Louie from Island Bait and Tackle in the Bronx reported stripers at Deep Reef and around the Stepping Stone Lighthouse being caught on bunker chunks before sun up. The best time has been from the flood tide to the top of the outgoing.

Blues have been mixing in with the bass at these spots, but fish over 20 pounds have also been reported in the back creek of the Pelham Bay Bridge. John from Jack’s Bait and Tackle in the Bronx said you can try the back side of Execution Lighthouse as well. There are still some snappers around, but they are getting pretty big and spearing or small bunker pieces have been working the best.

The porgy fishing is said to be the best of the year so far with big fish coming from the east of Execution, New Rochelle, and the green buoy at Matinecock in 20 to 30 feet of water. Worms and clam with clam chum have been doing the trick, according to Louie from Island. John at Jack’s Bait also said the islands, including Pea and Huckleberry, are doing well. Vinny from Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn reported some albies were caught at the Breezy Point Jetty on small tins.

East End Long Island Fishing Report

The bass bite is starting to get good on the East End with fish over 40 pounds lined up from here to Block Island, according to Mike from Star Island Marina in Montauk. Paulie from Paulie’s Bait and Tackle of Montauk said the boats are “annihilating” the fish from the boats off the light with diamond jigs by day and eels by night. However, the beach has been relatively quiet with only a few small fish caught. On the Sound side, Bill from Jamesport Bait & Tackle in Mattituck reported bass up to 49 inches taken at Horton’s Point on eels and bucktails.

There are way too many blues in the 10- to 15-pound range mixing in with the bass off Montauk and up at Horton’s Point. Bill at Jamesport also said blues are plentiful at Jesups on an incoming tide.

Paulie said the porgy bite off the Point is crazy right now with fish so big they are hitting on 4 inch diamond jigs. There is still a nice mixed bag in Peconic Bay with porgy, kingfish, blowfish, and weakfish being found from Buoys 20 to 30. An ample amount of porgy can also be found west of Jesups and off of Horton’s and the Firing Range in the Sound.

Best Bets for the Weekend

The bass are showing up in large numbers around the Island, but consistent fishing is best on the East End, especially if you are looking for a big one. There is definitely no shortage of blues anywhere if you can’t find the bass.

The porgy bite is as good as ever, and the sea bass are becoming more plentiful, especially on the North Shore and on the reefs of the western South Shore.

The blackfish season opens up on Saturday, October 5th, and all the shops are gearing up with plenty of crabs. While I haven’t heard many reports as of yet, the fish are definitely out there waiting for you.

With the nice weather and no shortage of fish, head out on the water this weekend while everyone else is busy picking pumpkins.