Long Island Fishing Report - July 30, 2015

North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Captain Mark of the Celtic Quest out of Port Jefferson said they have had a tough go at the bottom fishing recently in the local areas, but are still managing to hit some porgy and sea bass for their customers. They saw much better numbers on their long run sea bass trip last week where the boat fishes grounds that are relatively untouched, but it is an outing that is done only once a week as the spot is very far. Captain Mark is looking forward to the usual perk up that happens after the July full moon which will be occurring over the weekend. John from Terminal Tackle in Kings Park reported that the heat has made the scup move a bit deeper to 30 to 40 feet this week, but anglers are finding plenty in the late afternoons off the beaches. No one is finding an abundance of take home fluke on the other hand. Shorts are dominating the catches at Eatons Neck, according to Carmine at Campsite Sports Shop in Huntington Station, and it is a similar story elsewhere on the North Shore. Sea bass continue to mix in on many of the common hard bottom fishing spots.

Bluefish might be part of the reason for the lack of larger fluke around as they inundated the Sound this week. Cocktails are cruising the shore while larger 8 to 9 pound fish are chasing the remaining bunker schools around various dropoffs. Bass are just about void in shallow areas as the heat has pushed them out to 70 to 90 feet of water where anglers are having to put in a lot of time with bunker chunks at the opportunity for a fish. 3 to 4 inch snappers are just about large enough to catch and are beginning to make a good appearance around the piers and docks.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Bill from Combs Bait & Tackle in Amityville said the fluke fishing this week was superior in the Great South Bay by the bridges for fish to 5 pounds as opposed to the areas fished in the ocean. Reynold’s Channel gave up fish to 6.5 pounds by Buoy 7, according to Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside, and the waters south of the AB Reef were good for a nice mix of keeper fluke and sea bass on squid and spearing. Jeff at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays reported that the steady action in Shinnecock Bay mainly consists of short fish, and the ocean fishing is sporadic, but anglers are coming across quality fish when putting enough time in.

The South Shore is relatively quiet on the bass front; however, Jeff at White Water said there was a resurgence of the night bite on live eels this past week. The inshore bluefin are hard to find as of late, but there are still a few around. Offshore shark and yellowfin continue to be lively.

Metro Long Island Fishing Report

All of the local hotspots, including Mamaroneck, Rye, Pea Island, and Huckleberry Island, are producing bucketfuls of porgy, according to John at Jack’s Bait & Tackle in the Bronx. Sea bass are showing up in many of these same areas, but anglers are just going a bit deeper to find them. Allen from Bernie’s Fishing Tackle in Brooklyn reported a great mixed bag of scup, fluke, and sea bass coming from the Rockaway Reef, and Stretch at Stella Maris Bait & Tackle in Brooklyn added that the Ambrose Channel and further out to the Fisherman’s Buoy saw good summer flounder action this week also.

John from Jack’s Bait said the bass and blues are still around behind the Execution Lighthouse and in Hempstead Harbor hitting chunks. The south side bass fishing is not very lively, but every few days the sundown bite kicks up off Sandy Hook on bunker and spoons for those that want to take the chance and make the trip. Snappers are all over western Long Island making for fun and exciting fishing for the kids.

East End/North Fork Long Island Fishing Report

It was a good week on the East End for quality fluke as seen by the huge 10.12 pound, 2 to 9.88 pound, and 9.74 pound fluke that placed in the 1st Annual Doormat Derby presented by Montauk Marine Basin in Montauk. Bill at Jamesport Bait & Tackle in Mattituck also said summer flounder and sea bass were found around Gardiner’s Island as well as scattered throughout the Sound. The Peconic porgy action is picking up again with 14 to 17 inch fish caught at Buoys 20, 22, and 30 as well as other common areas of structure, and plenty of fish hit the decks from the waters north of Plum and east of Gardiners. The north and south sides of Montauk are also crawling with scup giving anglers ample opportunity to bring home fillets. Summer weakfish are beginning to make a good appearance in the Peconic in the waters between Roses Grove and Robins Island.

Steve at Wego Bait & Tackle in Southold said the bass bite has slowed a bit, but he is expecting a pick up with the upcoming full moon. Horton’s Point in the Sound, however, did see decent action on live eels during the outgoing tide. Glen from Paulie’s Bait & Tackle in Montauk reported that blues are cruising both the north and south sides of Montauk, and surfcasters are having some luck with the bass at night off the beach on eels and darters. Maureen at Gone Fishing Marina in Montauk also received interesting reports of bluefin hitting bunker right off the Lighthouse recently.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Summer is definitely proving to be alive and well with the temperature and humidity rising as we make our way into August. Despite hitting some of the hottest days we have yet to see this year, there are plenty of fishing options for anglers looking to have some fun. Porgy are not difficult to find on any shore, and sea bass are relatively plentiful in similar areas which could definitely make for a good day on the water. Finding keeper fluke is undoubtedly getting tougher, but you may have some luck with a late season doormat if you head way to the west or way to the east and play the tides right. Weakfish will continue to get better as we go through the next month, but many anglers are already getting hooked up with them. Drift sandworms or bounce jigs in relatively shallow back bay areas to find one of these guys.

With the full moon coming this weekend, many of the charter captains and shop owners anticipate a good bite making for what could be the best mid-summer time to get out there for big bass. Things had already began shutting down with catches consisting of smaller fish than we saw in past weeks so you better get out to the East End this weekend for your shot at a cow before the doldrums kick in and you have to wait for the fall run. Live eels are the way to go, but darters from the beach and trolling on the boats will catch their fare share of bass as well. Finally, if you only have a few hours to spare, start scouting out good snapper areas to take the kids before they have to head back to school.