North Shore Long Island Fishing Report
If you stepped outside over the weekend, you know the winds were not in our favor so many did not make it out. However, John from Terminal Tackle in Kings Park reported that before the weather closed in, blackfishing lit up last week with 5 to 7 pound fish hitting the decks. They were hitting shallow in only 40 to 50 feet of water. The Eatons Neck Triangle still has some potential to finish the season out strong, according to Carmine at Campsite Sports Shop in Huntington Station.
John also told us that herring are stacked pretty good in Huntington Harbor, the Nissequogue, and other areas on the North Shore. There are plenty of schools out in the mid-Sound, so we are hoping they move in a little closer to inflate the number of fish off the docks.
South Shore Long Island Fishing Report
There were few tog reports this week from the South Shore, but one from Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside was promising with anglers heading west past Breezy Point for over 35 keepers, which included two fish that weighed in over 10 pounds. White crabs and KO blackfish rigs did the trick. Bert at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays said the sea bass and cod bite out at the wrecks in over 100 feet of water picked up this week.
It looks like most of the bigger stripers have moved out by now, but a few lingering or resident schoolies were found in Shinnecock Bay and around the Ponquogue Bridge caught on plugs and darters, according to Bert at White Water. He also said tuna fishing at the Canyon was decent this past week with bluefin to 150 pounds caught. The shop is getting set up for winter reel service and repair and is offering a discount for any gear brought in before the end of the year.
Metro Long Island Fishing Report
Blackfishing is holding on in the western Sound with Josh at Jack’s Bait & Tackle in the Bronx reporting a good bite off Rye Playland this week. Frank from Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn said that, although the weather has not been conducive for fishing, guys that could get out did well for tog. Locally, the well-known spots have been hit hard throughout the season, so the key is knowing your stuff and finding a lesser known piece of structure. He added that the boats going offshore for the 18 hour blackfish trips are hitting solid fishing also.
Frank at Bernie’s said the leftover bass are playing hide and seek with more found during snotty conditions over calm ones, but enough are around to keep your line wet as long as you know where to look. John from Jack’s Bait said the Throgs Neck is a good place to try as there has been a bit of action there.
A few herring were reported up by 69th street and the East River, but shops are waiting for the schools to spread more locally. Guys are coming in often to pick up herring rigs, so at least they are out there trying and hopefully reports start trickling in.
East End/North Fork Long Island Fishing Report
Chris from Westlake Marina in Montauk reported good tog fishing in 60 to 100 feet of water at Cartwright and south of Block Island at the Southwest Ledge. Sea bass fishing has been excellent in deeper water of 150 to 180 feet, according to Ben at Star Island Marina in Montauk, with decent numbers of cod mixing in. Any hard bottom is holding fish, but specifically Cartwright, south of Block Island, and the CIA Grounds did well this week.
Stripers are very scarce, but herring can be picked up at the piers for those who want to do something from shore.
Best Bets for the Weekend
The worst of this week’s weather should be over by the weekend, and the water is not looking too shabby with seas of only 2 to 3 feet. It might be a bit windy at times, but it is the fall after all. This weekend will be your last chance at blackfish before the season closes on Sunday, and there are still decent fish to be had. With the weather beginning to settle, the bite will hopefully turn on to finish out the season nicely. The East End has been consistent, but last minute keepers can be found on all shores over the right structure. Try to find a piece that hasn’t taken a beating all season, where a few fish might remain unmolested. Sea bass closes at the end of the month also, so heading out to deep water to snatch up a few of those while you can wouldn’t be a bad idea. With a decent number of cod mixing it, you can really have a good late season trip.
The striper season is also coming to a close this week with Monday being the last day to bring one home. There are very few big bass around anyway, but you might get lucky with a small keeper mixed in with the schoolies in the bays and around the bridges.
Herring are starting to really show up at the docks, so for those that just want a bent pole there are plenty of those guys around to keep you busy.