North Shore Long Island Fishing Report
Carmine at Campsite Sports Shop in Huntington Station let us know that the blackfish kept biting well until the season ended on Sunday, and green, white, and Asian crabs got it done for those fishing last minute at the Eatons Neck Triangle. The only game in town on the North Shore right now is herring, according to John at Terminal Tackle in Kings Park. Herring rigs and even small flies were catching them in Huntington Harbor, at Centerport Dam, in the Nissequogue, and at various other spots across the Sound off the docks, beaches, and piers.
South Shore Long Island Fishing Report
Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reported a nice closing of the tog season with good numbers and limits taken over the weekend of fish to 11.5 lbs coming from the AB and Rockaway Reefs on white crabs.
Bill from Combs Bait & Tackle in Amityville said that there are no herring as of now on the South Shore, but he did have guys coming into his shop reporting on ones that they caught on the North Shore in Cold Spring Harbor and Northport.
Sea bass fishing is much more promising with John from Trophy Tackle in West Babylon reporting good catches at the Virginia wreck with a few cod mixed in.
Bryce at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays had a similar report for the eastern South Shore wrecks with lots of sea bass that you can get your hands on during the next few weeks and cod to 42 lbs that will stick around through the winter. Anglers were having the best luck fishing at 20-35 fathoms.
The bluefin bite is still happening out at the Hudson Canyon with a handful of small ones taken recently, according to Bryce at White Water. There was a mix of albacore and swordfish as well.
Metro Long Island Fishing Report
Vinny at Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn said that the tog fishing at all the usual spots ended on a strong note over the weekend. The bottom fishing now just consists of guys going offshore to the 50-80 mile wrecks for a good sea bass bite, according to Stretch from Stella Maris Bait & Tackle in Brooklyn.
John at Jack’s Bait & Tackle in the Bronx said that the herring bite is starting to pick up locally with a number of schools off Hudson Park and Orchard Beach. There is even the chance at landing a bass as they were caught on the herring being reeled in. Since the season for stripers is now closed, those fish must be safely released. Stretch at Stella Maris reported good herring action off Coney Island, Magnolia Pier, and Canarsie Pier as well.
East End/North Fork Long Island Fishing Report
Paul at Paulie’s Bait & Tackle in Montauk said the beaches are dead, but a few herring can be picked up at the pier. East End sea bass fishing is still going strong at any hard bottom structure, such as Cartwright, the Southwest Ledge, and the CIA Grounds. There are only a few weeks until their season closes, but with plenty of cod mixing in the fishing season isn’t over just yet.
Steve at Wego Bait & Tackle in Southold said that there isn’t much happening on the North Fork, but they are still open and most of the store is on sale for the holiday season.
Fishing Forecast
It starts to get very tough this time of year to decide what species of fish to target because there are not many seasons open, and the fish simply are not around. Sea bass goes on for another few weeks, and the deep-water fishing continues to be worth the trip. South Shore and East End wrecks offer up the best shot at landing a few of these guys for the dinner table, and you’ll get a decent mixed bag with cod continuing to trickle in.
There are plenty of herring around to the north, east, and west of the Island at many local beaches and piers for those that want to have a bit of fun. Also, if there are any hold-over stripers around, the herring will be the key to finding them.
Since we are officially only a week away from Christmas, I just wanted to remind everyone to continue supporting your local tackle shops, even this time of year. Many will stay open through Christmas and even throughout the winter, and they are often offering up good Christmas sales.