North Shore Long Island Fishing Report
I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and got to spend some quality time with family and friends. If you did not make it out on the water last week, you did not miss too much. It’s a dead sea on the North Shore with the only game in town being herring off the docks and piers. I was lucky to catch Phil from Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport at the shop, and he said herring fishing is pretty good at Centerport bridge and in Cold Spring Harbor. Both sides of the tide are producing. John at Terminal Tackle in Kings Park added that the best places on the Sound have been Huntington Harbor and Mt. Sinai, with a few fish also at Centerport dam and in the Nissequogue. Herring rigs work well in all locations.
South Shore Long Island Fishing Report
Herring have not flooded the South Shore yet, but it looks like they are starting to move in toward the east. Jeff at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays said he heard of a few being caught at the Shinnecock Canal and off Oaklands.
Ronnie from Sea Isle Tackle in Freeport said the real action can be found on the boats heading out for cod and sea bass. The 20 to 30 mile wrecks are producing decent catches of cod, according to John at Trophy Tackle in West Babylon, and the further wrecks at 50 to 60 miles saw excellent sea bass fishing this week.
Metro Long Island Fishing Report
Herring are spread all over western Long Island, and business at the shops picked up nicely with guys coming in buying tons of herring rigs. John at Jack’s Bait & Tackle in the Bronx reported good action at Hudson Park, and Coney Island Pier and Canarsie Pier have a good showing of herring as well, according to Joe at Stella Maris Bait & Tackle in Brooklyn. Frank from Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn also said Magnolia Pier and Far Rockaway saw some decent catches from shore. Dawn and dusk seem to be when the best fishing is happening.
The boats heading offshore for the last week of sea bass are doing well, and Joe at Stella Maris said the party boats caught a couple of cod and ling over the weekend.
East End/North Fork Long Island Fishing Report
Paul from Paulie’s Bait & Tackle in Montauk said that there are probably still herring around the pier, but he has not seen anyone out that way trying for them.
Cod is the more popular choice on the East End. Mark at Montauk Marine Basin in Montauk reported that the charter boats did well this week with a total of between 150 to 160 fish per trip. The fishing has not been easy and some days they are scratching and clawing to get a few limits, but fish are definitely hitting the rails. Boats are seeing a good showing of cod in the 8 to 12 pound range, but bigger fish up to 20 pounds are not uncommon. Paul at Paulie’s said he heard Coxes Ledge is producing pretty well.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Winds will be howling for the next few days, which probably won’t make fishing too fun this weekend. Also, by the time this report is posted sea bass season will be closed making your fishing opportunities very limited. If you feel like just getting out and wetting a line, head up to the Sound or western Long Island for good herring action. All you need is a pole and some herring rigs, and access is easy with piers and docks being perfect places to set up. For those looking for more adventure and a longer trip, head out east or to the South Shore and hop on a cod charter. Fishing is starting to pick up and other species will be mixing in soon enough.
As always, have a very safe and Happy New Year. Expo season is right around the corner so keep your eyes open to see what shows are in your area.
The herring fishing this year was amazing in the Western South Shore.