Ice, wind, snow and rain all unleashed across Long Island this week keeping any hope for casting a line cooped up indoors next to the warm fire. However, believe it or not, the first day of spring is right around the corner and with it comes the breath of new life on the shore lines. Late March is a great time to hit the local lakes and ponds for big pickerel, bass and crappie. Small spinners are a popular choice this time of year as a wide range of species can’t turn down the dancing glow. There were a few reports of yellow perch and largemouth bass hitting well during the late February-early March warm spell. These antics should pick up again quickly when the ice melts and the leaves begin to spring.
As for the saltwater side, keep an eye on early striper migrations to know when the blitz will come. In the meantime, look to start hitting the local tidal creeks for any bass that may have held over for the winter. They may not be the cows we all look for during the prime season but a bass is a bass and they will have to do for now.
With all due respect when the personal change happened on these reports the quality has really gone downhill. I understand its the offseason but this was one of the best reports on the web for long island. I really hope it improves and goes back to the regiona by region report. It is really becoming not worth checking out anymore. Contact some tackleshops, talk to people, put in the work please this is one of the best sites on the internet for fishing.
They always go back to the traditional reports once the striper migration starts.
Anyway, any word on the trout stocking from the DEC? Usually they post something on their website, but I can’t find anything for 2017
I actually prefer sparse reports. I wouldn’t want random anglers blitzing my favorite fishing holes. If you’re looking for stripers check your local weather report and water temperatures and of course hit the water. Keep a personal log and back track to the past year and when the bite began. That’s what I do. I’m sure these guys that write these reports have families and other things going on with their lives. Get out there. Check the your favorite waters. Help out.