Long Island - New York Fishing Report - November 23, 2016

Mother Nature was not in the Thanksgiving mood this week as strong 15 to 25 mph winds made it tough for anglers to get out on the water for much of the week. Earlier in the week when the weather was calmer and for the brave few who trooped through the worst of it, the fish were still around. Blackfish, seabass, blues and bass all picked up where they left off last week and produced good numbers.

John from Hudson Park Bait & Tackle reports that the onslaught of big bass and blues has continued. Hempstead has been hot on stripers with plenty of fish 32 to 34 inches. Right outside the New Rochelle Harbor, there are a mix of monster blues and bass as John foul hooked a big blue, estimated at about 20 to 22 pounds and released, on a popper under the diving birds. Along with the poppers, diamond jig, live bunker and even trolling has continued to yield impressive results. The blackfishing was tough this week but they are still pulling a mix of keepers and shorts out of the local waters.

At Stella Maris, Stretch has seen solid blackfish action off the Jersey Reef and New Bottom waters. Stripers are still around as well and during the day, snagging a live bunker out of a school and letting it sit seems to be the best way to go. At night, tossing eels off the local Brooklyn jetty has also kept anglers busy and out of trouble.

Ashley from Bay Park Fishing Station has had a great bite on blues and bass out of Debbs Inlet. Trolling Maja Rigs seems to be working well for both as well as the traditional methods of bunker and poppers for example. Blackfish and seabass are also living up to expectaions when anglers are able to get out and reach them. There is still a mix of keepers and shorts but it seems the keepers are becoming more reliable.

Aboard the Jib VI, sailing has given way to the strong winds but when Captain Joe did get out earlier in the week, he ran into a hot bite of bass and blues. There was plenty of fish to keep the anglers and mates busy with enough keepers to send everyone home happy. The Jib VI will not be sailing on thanksgiving but Friday-Sunday will be the last trips of the year so get out there while you still can and stock the freezers for the cold days ahead.

In Northport, at Cow Harbor, Mark reports that the local docks and beaches are producing shad and schoolie bass this week. The shad can be found plucking shrimp off the bulkheads and are about the size of cocktail blues. As for the wind, when you can’t get out on the saltwater, Mark recommends to hit the fresh side for recently stocked trout to keep you busy.

Further east at Miller Place Bait & Tackle, Jim saw a mix of bass and blues off the beaches on Thursday and Friday. Blackfish have slowed down slightly but has been good between Cedar Beach and Rocky Point. There are blues that can be found here also on pencil poppers and vary in size from small to the occasional roaming monster.

In Jamesport at Warrens Tackle Center, Ed says the weather has shut things down for the most part but there were plenty of big blues and bass on the sound side in the early parts of the week.

At West Lake Marine, Chris reports that he best fishing has been on the bottom in about 50-feet of water for a mix of blackfish, seabass and a couple cod. The blackfish and seabass have been getting bigger as the weeks go on and it seems the cod are showing up more often.

Joe from Staten Island Tuna Club has stripers in Raritan Bay going crazy. Anglers using umbrella rigs have been taking 2-3 bass at a time. Near the Verrazano Bridge to the Statue of Liberty, the action has also been hot. Gator blues up to 20 pounds are showing up and hitting on anything you can tie to a line. Blackfish are still going strong off local rock piles and have been favoring the green and white crabs.

Fishing Forecast for Long Island

With less than desired weather predicted for Thursday and Friday, look to spend some time chasing the bass, trout and pickerel on the freshwater side as this allows for easier fishing and a quicker exit if the weather takes a turn for the worse. When things clear up, expect much of the early week fishing to pick up where it left off as often times a little weather can stir things up and pump new life into the local action.