Above: Big bluefish are chomping eels and shredding soft plastics in Long Island Sound. Photo by Northport Charters.
Before the blow the last two days, fishing was hot from New York City out to Montauk. It seems the bass have really made a push out east and are starting to make their move along the South Shore. North Shore action has been hot with just about any fish species around at the moment. The fall run might have started late, but now is the time to get out there and get into the action.
Metro New York
At Hudson Park Bait and Tackle, before the wind, tog fishing was in full swing. Many big blackfish from 7 to 13 pounds have been caught on Tidaltail jigs in 25 to 30 feet of water. John also mentioned that they are still seeing albies and that porgy fishing remains great.
Capitol Fishing Tackle in Manhattan reports that the striped bass have been really making a push into the area. Many striped bass in the 25- to 30-inch range with some bigger fish being caught on eels. Big bluefish have also made their appearance, chomping up those eels and attacking Mojo rigs.
Stretch over at Stella Maris Bait and Tackle told me that the guys targeting blackfish from shore in downtown Brooklyn have been doing great by using green crabs. Boat fishermen are also having great success with the tog around Marine Park Bridge. They have also been catching a good amount of bass and blues on eels and bunker.
South Shore
Albies were all over the South Shore and in almost every inlet, says Paul at River Bay Outfitters. Fly fisherman were having a ball with these speedsters. Paul also mentioned that shad have been all over the place both in the surf and back bays. Weakfish have also been caught in the area, and River Bay regular, Taso, caught a nice tiderunner that he released. On the freshwater side of things, Paul reports all the areas are stocked with trout and action has been great. Lakes such Massapequa Preserve, have nice trout and bass caught there this week on the fly.
Sea Isle Tackle, reports blackfishing both inside in the bays and outside in the ocean have been very good using green crabs. Many fishermen are finding success trolling for bass in 60 to 80 feet of water using Mojos. He said getting down deep to the fish has been key. Thresher sharks have shown up closer to shore, feeding on the massive amount of adult bunker that has been along the south shore.
A 12-pound blackfish was recently brought into Bay Park Fishing. They said blackfishing has been very good and that they have green crabs and also now are carrying white crabs. If you are looking to go off shore Bay Park reports, this past weekend had a good Bluefin tuna bite around the Texas Tower.
In Wantagh, Causeway Bait and Tackle told me that in the surf there have been some bass and bluefish caught on SP Minnows and bucktails. They said the water is still very warm but with cooler weather coming, things should really pick up. They also reported that blackfishing has been very good.
At Captree Bait and Tackle, they told me more of the same that fishing was good before the weather came in and became nasty and dirtied the water. They recently had a nice 30-pound striped bass weighed in at the shop caught on bunker. Captree Bait & Tackle also said that there were thresher sharks making an appearance in the inshore waters.
North Shore
Northport Charters, told me that the porgy bite still remains hot, with fish up to 2½ pounds being caught. Big blues to 10 pounds have been feeding on the peanut bunker that seem to be all over Northport. Schoolie bass and the big blues have slamming the peanuts in the harbor.
Sue, at Miller Place Bait & Tackle, said they had a nice albie brought into the shop yesterday caught on a Deadly Dick. She said there have been a lot of albies in the area being caught on skinny metals. Big bluefish have also shown up in their neck of the woods being caught on a variety of lures and bait. Bottom fishing has been good with a 6-pound blackfish being brought in and that they are also seeing jumbo porgies being caught.
East End
Out at White Water Outfitter, they said people have been picking at the albies in the area on skinny metals and on the fly. Great news for the surf fishermen, White Water, reported that they have heard of blitzing bass out in Montauk. They said it might be happening a little later then years past with the warm water, but it is happening. Around Shinnecock, there has definitely been a push of bass that have showed up. It should improve with the temperature dropping in the next few days.
In Montauk, I talked to Tanya at Westlake Marine. She said that things over this past weekend before the wind came in early this week were very good. Many people out on the water targeting a variety of species. There was great striped bass fishing with guys drifting eels. On Sunday, when the federal waters opened up many guys turned their attention to Seabass and did very well. They had a 5.8- and a 6.5-pounder brought into the marina over the weekend. Offshore, she heard great things also. Tanya said the boat Gotta Fly had a great day over the weekend with two yellowfin.
Long Island Forecast
With the temperatures dropping, the water temps should also. This will push more fish along their migration pattern. There are plenty of species to target right now and things should only get better. For the surf fisherman, during the day try your luck with albies, and at night target the striped bass and bluefish that are making their way along the coast. For the boat fisherman, your options are endless. Switch it up and be ready for anything from porgies to thresher sharks. This is the time of the year you just have to be out there as much as possible. Get out there have a good time and good luck!