North Shore Long Island Fishing Report
Carmine at Campsite Sports Shop in Huntington Station said the sea bass and porgy were very cooperative this week with lots of keepers hitting the decks, especially when chumming. Captain Stu of Northport Charters out of Northport slammed the scup and sea bass at the Eatons Neck Triangle and were even able to jig up a couple of blues to 10 lbs in the process.
There are schools of bunker still hanging around in the harbors, according to John at Terminal Tackle in Kings Park, but he said they should actually be gone by now. The good news is that a few bass have moved into the shallows to feed on the schools, and Phil from Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport said chunks and livelined bait should catch them. Phil also reported a first light bite of bluefish to 15 lbs in Northport and Centerport Harbors.
There are a few more reports of albies this week as Captain Stu of Northport Charters said they were up quick a few times in the Triangle.
South Shore Long Island Fishing Report
The bottom fishing on the South Shore is action packed, according to Bill at Combs Bait & Tackle in Amityville. The scup and sea bass are biting well in the bays from Jones Inlet to Fire Island Inlet, and there was an influx of kingfish and blowfish into the area. Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside also reported a nonstop porgy and sea bass bite at Rockaway Reef and AB Reef with some blowfish action in the mix. Clam and chum are working well in all areas.
Robert from Sea Isle Tackle in Freeport said the striper fishing is picking up a bit toward the western South Shore as more fish moved into the area this week. Bay Park reported bass to 30 lbs in and around Debs Inlet and on the Rockaway Reef amongst the bunker schools caught while trolling spoons.
Tuna fishing at the Canyons remained solid this week when the boats could get out, according to Robert at Sea Isle.
Metro Long Island Fishing Report
Stretch from Stella Maris Bait & Tackle in Brooklyn said the porgy and sea bass bite was solid again this week with nice catches at the Marine Parkway Bridge, off Beach Channel Drive, and from the Tin Can Grounds to the Breezy Point Jetty. Vinny at Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn also reported a few weakfish in Sheepshead Bay for those anglers targeting them. Although blackfish season does not open until Sunday, Josh at Jack’s Bait & Tackle in the Bronx said a few have been caught recently as bycatch in the shallows around Huckleberry and Pea Islands.
Vinny at Bernie’s said the striper fishing is still on the quiet side, but there is a sporadic night bite at Breezy Point. On the bluefish front, Stretch from Stella Maris said you can bait them at the Mud Buoy or look for the birds off Breezy Point. There are a few albies and bonito under the birds as well if you get lucky.
East End Long Island Fishing Report
Captain Mike of the Prime Time 3 out of Orient said that the bottom fishing for porgy and sea bass is just about at its peak and the fish are super hungry. The boat has filled buckets with plenty of catches to 3 lbs around Fishers Island. They have also been seeing a good number of blackfish around so they are hoping for a solid season opener this weekend where the boat will be sailing a combo scup, sea bass, and blackfish trip. Steve at Wego Bait & Tackle in Southold reported a good bottom bite in the Sound off Hortons and north of Plum Island. Off the Point, Chris at Westlake Marina in Montauk said there are piles of porgy, sea bass, and triggerfish being caught.
Paul at Paulie’s Bait & Tackle in Montauk let us know that they had a good Montauk Surfmasters Fall Tournament over the weekend with the winning fish coming from the wetsuit division weighing in at 50.30 lbs. With the east wind and low pressure system this week, the beaches on the north and south side of the Lighthouse had a decent daytime bite on bucktails and pencil poppers. Courtney at Montauk Marine Basin in Montauk said the boats have been having a good pick of bass off the Point on eels. The North Fork doesn’t seem to have many stripers at the moment, but there are plenty of blues to be had at Plum Gut, the Race, and in the Sound, according to Steve at Wego.
Captain Mike of the Prime Time 3 reported albies are jumping all over around Fishers Island and the Gut. Courtney at Montauk Marine Basin said the tuna bite at the Tails continues to be strong as the shop weighed in Bigeye to 252 lbs, Yellowfin to 80 lbs, and swordfish to 166 lbs. Chris from Westlake agreed saying the shop has seen plenty of action from the Tails with swords, yellowtails, bigeyes, and mahi, and they even weighed in a potential state record Porbeagle at 393 lbs. Chris also reported that the summer codfish have finally begun showing up Coxes Ledge.
Best Bets for the Weekend
The bottom fishing cannot be beat right now and should be even better with the opening of blackfish on Sunday to add to the mix. Shops will be stocked with green crabs for those anglers heading out, and many of the party boats will be running combo trips on opening day. The fishing won’t be this good for very long so get out there before it is too late and things begin to wind down.
Bass fishing is starting to pick up around the Island as we head into Fall. Hit the back bays and shallow beaches for the incoming smaller fish, but the bigger ones seem to be on the bait off the South Shore and East End. Chunks and livelined bait are working fine, but bucktails and poppers are good for those of you that like to throw artificials. Bluefish and false albacore are also blitzing under the birds and you can toss metals to them.
It might be another rough weekend out on the water, but hopefully things lay down enough for boats to get out. The offshore fishing continues to be excellent if you are able to head out to the Canyon or Tails for some tuna. If not, inshore fishing will definitely keep you busy.