North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Consistently higher temperatures this week improved the fishing a bit this week. Carmine at Campsite Sport Shop in Huntington Station reported that spinners, PowerBait, and flies are working on the stocked trout at the local spots, with Twin Ponds and White’s Pool producing nice catches. John from Terminal Tackle in Kings Park added that the largemouth have been more active in Blydenburgh Lake lately.

Mark at Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport reported some flounder up to 1.75 pounds caught in the back marshes and harbors on sandworms, clams and mussels. He said that the sunny days we have had lately heated up the harbors, making for better fishing. John from Terminal Tackle said there have been a few flounder caught in Huntington, Northport, and Lloyd Harbors, around Duck Island, and in the Nissequogue. He put an emphasis on “a few” since the action isn’t red hot yet.

While the stripers have been concentrated further to the western Sound, Mark at Cow Harbor said a few schoolies have begun popping up in the back harbors, and anglers have had some luck using clams, bunker, swimming plugs, and jig heads tipped with plastic tails. It will still be a few days before the striper bite gets more consistent.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

On the freshwater front, Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle in Oakdale reported that the shop’s trout competition is heating up, with fish up to 1.88 pounds brought in recently.

Dan from Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh said the flounder fishing has been sporadic in the inland creeks where guys have been trying. If you want to head a little further away, Bay Park Fishing Station reported that anglers have been catching their limits of flounder up to 2.4 pounds in Raritan Bay.

Dan at Causeway said that stripers have begun moving in on the South Shore at the West Bar and in Jones Inlet and have been caught on mostly clam chunks. Bryce from White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays reported that the bass action in the tidal creeks continues to get better every day, and they are starting to head into the open bays. Soft rubber baits and small plugs have been working for anglers in these areas.

Bryce also wanted to remind everyone about their grand opening celebration happening next weekend on May 3rd at the new shop. There will be food and drinks, giveaways, live music, fishing demos, reps and vendors, and specials throughout the day.

Metro Long Island Fishing Report

John at Jack’s Bait and Tackle in the Bronx said that the back of the harbors are the best spots to try for flounder as they are the warmest areas right now. He reported that anglers have been catching their limits in the back of Eastchester Bay using worms and clam chum. Stretch from Stella Maris Bait and Tackle in Brooklyn said there are flounder around the 69th Street Pier, North Channel Bridge, and in Jamaica Bay. The Pelham Bay and Throgs Neck Bridges are also productive spots, according to Louie from Island Bait and Tackle in the Bronx.

Frank from Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn said a few more keeper bass have moved in around Staten Island, with plenty of shorts mixed in. Anglers using clams and bunker have been doing well at Great Kills, and a few short fish have been caught by flounder fisherman in the back of Jamaica Bay. Louie from Island Bait also reported guys getting fresh bunker from the shop have caught a few stripers at Orchard Beach Lagoon and around the bridges.

East End Long Island Fishing Report

We spoke to Paulie at Paulie’s Bait and Tackle in Montauk, and he reported that things are pretty quiet on the East End. The cod bite is slow and not very many people have been out fishing for them. No one is even really trying for flounder either as the water temperatures are still a bit low at 42-43 degrees. A few more warm weeks, and things should start picking up.

New York & Long Island Fishing Forecast

This weekend is looking beautiful, and there are a number of fishing options to choose from. The freshwater bite is heating up, and stocked trout are out there for the taking. Bass are waking up as well, and the kids have sunnies to play around with.

Flounder fishing is doing pretty well, especially after a few consistently sunny days to warm up the mud. Clam and mussel chum have yielded much better catches than bait alone.

For larger bass, head to western Long Island. More keepers have been added to the mix this past week, and the trend will continue as the temperatures keep climbing. They are slowly migrating east, but have not quite made it to all of the harbors just yet. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try your local spots. There is always someone who catches the first fish of the season in your area, and there’s no reason why it can’t be you.