North Shore Long Island Fishing Report
John of Terminal Tackle in Kings Park said there is about a mile of ice from the boat slips outward so clearly no fishing has been happening on the saltwater side of the North Shore. However, on the freshwater front, White’s Pool has a nice flow so it does not freeze, and the trout are biting there. For any piece of water anglers can find that is still open, light tackle and nightcrawlers will catch trout and perch this time of year. Other than that, John said most of his business these days is coming from guys doing winter projects, such as rod building and prepping their current tackle for the upcoming season.
Carmine at Campsite Sports Shop in Huntington Station had not heard of any reports making it into the shop, but he has seen plenty of guys coming in buying ice fishing gear. He did not know definitely where they were going, but guessed Lake Ronkonkoma as the fishing tends to be decent in the winter.
South Shore Long Island Fishing Report
Bill from Combs Bait & Tackle in Amityville said the cod fishing has been tough on the South Shore as a lot of charters have had to cancel trips due to conditions. The moon last week did not help things at all, but Bill speculates that things should pick up as we are off the moon this week. However, the King Cod had a good day on the water over the weekend with anglers going home with 4-6 fish each weighing between 10-12 lbs. There were a handful of ling and pollock to go around as well.
Bryce at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays did not receive any reports at the shop this week, but he wanted to remind everyone that you can visit their booth at the NY Sportfishing Federation Forum & Auction running this Friday through Sunday.
Metro Long Island Fishing Report
Vinny at Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn said there are a few herring lingering around the piers, namely Coney Island, Canarsie, and Magnolia, but there is not much else happening locally. Charter boats that headed out to the New York Bight for cod last week did not find the fish they were looking for. A few drops produced a fish here or there, but it was a slow-go for the most part with very little action.
If you were interested in doing a bit of ice fishing, anglers travelling up the Hudson a little ways have found that the fishing is picking up quite nicely with a number of white and yellow perch, crappie, and bass caught.
East End/North Fork Long Island Fishing Report
Paul at Paulie’s Bait & Tackle in Montauk said the East End was pretty dead this week as he had not even heard of any cod boats that went out. He also mentioned that no one has come into the shop with freshwater reports, but Fort Pond is usually very good with yellow and white perch this time of year.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Saturday looks like a much better day to get out fishing this weekend as the temperatures drop and winds and seas pick up on Sunday. Freshwater fishing is possible, either on the ice or open water if you can find it. The Hudson is the only place I have heard multiple reports from, but I know locally, guys are hitting the ice and having some luck.
Cod is another option for the weekend if the charters do not have to cancel trips. The eastern South Shore and East End boats are the ones you would want to shoot for as they have been the most consistent in catching at least a little something. Things should turn on a little more since we do not have the strong moon currents to contend with, but the weather needs to give us a little break as well.
If you feel like staying inside this weekend instead, the NY Sportfishing Federation Forum & Auction is going on from Friday through Sunday, where you can visit the On the Water Magazine booth as well as some of your favorite tackle shops.