North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

This was a rough week for Long Island fishing so the report will be probably be pretty light. The weather just has not given us a break making it hard to actually get on the water, let alone hook some fish. John at Terminal Tackle in Kings Park said the trout are still at White’s Pool, but he doesn’t know of anyone who has gone out after them. It’s the same story for the perch and largemouths at Blydenburgh and other North Shore ponds.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Joe at Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh said he thinks the area around Magnolia Pier has iced over so there’s probably no chance at herring there until things thaw out. He said trying Jones Pier or any area with moving water would have better odds at a few fish hanging around. Joe also said that most of the freshwater has locked up too, so pickerel are safe for now as well.

Mike from White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays said anglers are still hitting the wrecks for cod, ling, and pollock, but it hasn’t been easy getting out. Most guys coming into the shop these days are there getting their tackle ready for spring.

Metro Long Island Fishing Report

The herring fishing has been based off the temperatures lately, according to Frank from Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn. Some days they are biting and other days things are quiet, but Stretch from Stella Maris Bait and Tackle in Brooklyn said a few herring have been caught off the Coney Island Pier.

Frank also let us know that, although a bit strange for the area, a few ling were caught off the 69th Street Pier recently. Stretch also said anyone heading out for ling have had some luck out at 17 fathoms.

East End Long Island Fishing Report

Things were no different on the East End with the weather making conditions difficult. Mike at White Water said he hasn’t heard much in the way of reports from out there, and Frank at Bernie’s said he’s gotten word of a bunch of charters cancelling their cod trips due to weather.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Best Bet? Get on a plane to somewhere warm. It’s just too darn cold here and I feel terrible making you all suffer through a report where I tell you the weather stinks and no one can get out on the water. If that’s not a viable option, there is some good news. Fishing can’t get any worse and it’s only up from here so we at least have that going for us.

This weekend will move out of the bitter cold temperatures and hit the low 40’s, but I don’t know if that will be enough to thaw out the ice enough to make certain areas fishable. It will be another weekend of scouting around the piers for herring or the freshwater lakes for trout, perch, bass, and pickerel.

With the warmer temperatures and wind conditions being more favorable than we have seen in a while, cod fishing might be a good idea as there’s a good chance boats will be sailing. The South Shore has seen some better action, but the East End shouldn’t be dismissed quite yet.

Expo season is also upon us, and it’s a little early but I wanted to mention the 2nd Annual Ward Melville HS Fishing Club Saltwater Fishing Seminar and Fundraiser on Saturday, March 1st. It is a free event and raffle tickets benefit the club. There are plenty of prizes, vendors, and seminars by fishing experts, some of which are columnists of On The Water. It was a great event last year and promises more of the same this time around.