North Shore Long Island Fishing Report
With the thermometer consistently on the rise, it looks like spring is finally here to stay. This is good news for us as that means schools of fish are beginning to trickle into our favorite honey holes. John at Terminal Tackle in Kings Park reported a that few more flounder were caught this week in Northport Bay, Cold Spring Harbor, and various other shallow water areas, but there is no single hot spot. He heard of one boat catching as many as five fish in a trip, but the average is 2 to 3. Muddy bottom areas are the go to as they warm up nicely during the day.
There was a large movement of bunker this week into the North Shore bays, harbors, and along the beaches, according to Mark from Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport. He wants to think that with such a vast amount of bait coming into the area that bigger fish might be behind them forcing the migration. John at Terminal Tackle added that he hopes the bait sticks around, which would stop the bigger fish in their tracks, and fishing would be solid for a while. Otherwise, the bass will just pass on by if the bunker keep moving. As of now on the striper front, schoolies are becoming more active, but we are not seeing any real numbers as of yet.
South Shore Long Island Fishing Report
The warmer weather seemed to help the Jib VI out of Captree land a few more flounder this week for its fares, but overall the action is far from stellar. The bass on the other hand are picking up nicely. Bill from Combs Bait & Tackle in Amityville said boat anglers are landing a handful of keepers to 29 inches on clams in the rips outside of Fire Island on an outgoing tide. Surfcasters on the other hand are catching better numbers of fish off Demo, but shorts are more prevalent. According to Bryce at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays the fishing continues to get better every day, tidal creeks are where the action is if you are wetting a line toward the east. Most anglers are finding schoolies, but the occasional keeper to 22 pounds popped up here and there. Bluefish are also starting to show up, and they are either small 2-pounders or 10- to 12-pound jumbos. Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reported that the best striper action can be seen way to the west in Raritan Bay where anglers are trolling spoons under the bunker schools for a number of bass weighing from the teens into the low twenties.
On the cod front, Joe at Trophy Tackle in West Babylon said the bite is slowing down, and some smaller fish seemed to have moved in. There were reports of fish just over 30 pounds, but the vast majority was either shorts or just keeper size.
Bryce at White Water also wanted to remind everyone to stop by the shop this weekend for their Annual Open House where you will be met with live music, food and drinks, raffles and giveaways, and demos from a bunch of different manufacturer reps. They had great success last year and are hoping for an even better turnout this year.
Metro Long Island Fishing Report
John from Hudson Park Bait & Tackle in New Rochelle reported loads of bunker in East Chester creek accompanied by schoolie bass and a handful of keepers. John at Jack’s Bait & Tackle in the Bronx said decent sized bass were caught this week between the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges. The waters off Great Kills and Mount Loretto on Staten Island are also hot spots for striper action right now, according to Stretch at Stella Maris Bait & Tackle in the Bronx, and bluefish moved into Jamaica Bay and Canarsie Pier this week.
Flounder are not what you would call abundant in western Long Island, but there are plenty of places to try to locate some of these flatties. John at Jack’s Bait said catch reports this week came from East Chester Bay, Orchard Beach Lagoon, and around Glen Island, while Vinny from Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn added that the 69th Street Pier is still showing signs of decent action.
East End/North Fork Long Island Fishing Report
The cod season looks like it will not be getting any better this year as Ben at Star Island in Montauk said a few boats went out this past week, but not many sizable fish came over the rails. Unfortunately, that is still just about the only thing to fish for. However, Paul from Paulie’s Bait & Tackle in Montauk said a few rat schoolies are starting to show up off of Ditch Plains. The water is still a bit chilly for the bigger ones to be around, but for now guys are having a bit of fun catching these on 3/8- to ½-ounce bucktails. Jamesport Bait & Tackle in Mattituck reported tons of bunker in the area out at Orient and into the Peconic with a few bass making a showing in the creeks.
Best Bets for the Weekend
The first weekend in May is shaping up to be beautiful. The number of fishing opportunities are really starting to grow. Cod fishing seems to be waning, but there are plenty of other things ready to take its place. Bait fish, especially bunker, are very abundant right now all around the Island so filling your freezer for the season is a nice option. The predator fish are migrating right on their tails and will soon flood all of our local waters. Western Long Island is having the best luck, but it is only a matter of time before the fish spread to the east. Live baits will generate the most strikes; however, bucktails, spoons, Gulp, swimming shads, and small poppers can hold their own. Expect mostly school bass or barely keepers and then the occasional whopper will be a nice surprise.
I have to assume that most bottom fishing anglers out there now will switch from flounder to porgy this weekend with the season opener on May 1st. We are at a transition where neither fishery will be great, but scup fishing will overcome flounder very soon. The East End is the best place to start looking for the bottom dwellers, specifically Peconic Bay. This is also a good time to book your spring and summer charter boat trips. Reservations aboard many boats are required, and you might find a number of prime days are already sold out.
Any suggestions on places that have access for surfcasting long beach west end? New to the area and parking and places that smell fishy are hard to find
Long Beach is the best place to fish. I fish in my backyard on West Broadway. The Pier is also a known hotspot.
I have a map of all fishing piers in long I. They don’t have them anymore at townhall since 2013. How is pier at green island in under wantagh bridge?
Thanks Peter I’m working on W Broadway but the beaches look pretty shallow with not much structure except the rock jetties is it more bait and wait game?
Any advise for a new angler with dreams of striper fishing off any water’s edge, piers, etc. in Manhattan? I’m waking distance to GWB and am willing to brave the garbage and rocks along the Hudson River’s edge if that’s worth the effort as it’s close by. Open to commute to Bronx/Brooklyn if absolutely necessary but am really hopeful there are options in Manhattan that don’t require a boat. Thanks for any and all advise.
Would go for any pier/dock with a light source at night. Cast beyond the shadows and run your lure through the light. Or run it along the perimeter of the shadow. Small orange and green 3-4 inch swimming lure should do it. Small enough so schoolies will hit it – as will bigger bass. Ideally anything on an outgoing tide that will be flushing bait fish past. Remember to catch and release bass are under pressure. Also if you or you buddies hook a 30+ inch striper chunking or surfcasting this summer/fall let it go – its a breeder. We need more of them swimming around. Check of stripersforever.com for conservation news. Good luck
Hello-
I live in western Queens, and occasionally fish the East River from the Long Island City Costco parking lot. No luck for me so far, but on Monday about 11AM another guy pulled out a beautiful 3o” striper using fresh clams, so there’s something. There’s also Socrates Sculpture Park when open, and a little cruddy beach just north of that, but it’s kind of shallow, and I wouldn’t wade in that mess. There are also some accessible spots by the Triboro Bridge and the Coned Plant. I have yet to explore Randall’s Island (beyond the golf range that is) but I hear there’s access there as well. As for Manhattan, I often see guys fishing off the park along the FDR/HR Drive; I’ve never fished that side. I read somewhere that buck tails are popular, but it’s snag city so try to use cheap ones I guess.
How is the surf fishing in Quogue ny
I live in Eastern Nassau county LI. And I’m a surf caster. Very new to the sport caught my first keeper last year. Where do you suggest I go
surfcasting for stripers? And I just got for the first time a state beach access pass this April…Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank You
Very easy, Use a double high low rig. One hook followed by another approx 8 inches in either direction. and a dropper loop for the sinker. When fishing surf use a diamond shape weight so it settles nicely in the sand. Rig with either bunker chunks or clams. I prefer clams but both work great. Cast out just past break. Use rod holder and grab a chair and a beer. Works every time! Tails up!
I’m fishing new Suffolk area nothing yet just one small hit I’m at the bridge at Indian dunes golf course now any suggestions my first time here saw a lot of action here on my way to work in the am help if you can thanks