Long Island Fishing Report - May 3, 2018

Things look like they are finally coming together around Long Island and Metro NYC. Striped bass have been reported on the north and south shore this week and things should only get better from here. With so many bass in the Raritan Bay, it is only a matter of days before these fish start to move east and head north on their migration. Fluke season starts tomorrow here in New York and many shops have reported catches of released fluke already. Here is what your local shops had to report for the week.

In New Rochelle at Hudson Park Bait and Tackle, John said, mojos have been the ticket to catching striped bass from the Throg’s Neck to City Island. There have been some really nice size bass being caught in this area so far. Also, from the surf in the back bays, anglers have been catching striped bass on small buck tails and small soft plastics.

In Brooklyn at Stella Maris Bait and Tackle, they report, anglers heading to the Raritan Bay and catching big striped bass on mojos and bunker chunks. They have heard of bass in the Jamaica Bay by the airport being caught with anglers live lining bunker. Anglers closer to home have been catching keeper sized fluke by accident while targeting other species. This is a great sign for things to come with fluke season opening tomorrow.

At River Bay Outfitters, Paul reports, one of his regulars in the shop has been fishing Jones Beach recently and has been catching a ton of schoolie bass on the fly rod. He has also heard of bass up to 40” taken on the fly rod as well. On the freshwater side of things, trout continues to be fishing well but thinks things are still two weeks away from action really busting open.

Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh reports boats anglers have been catching striped bass this week around the bridges while chumming. They made it a point to say that the clam chum is really the key to finding success. Bluefish have also been reported, while it’s not blitzes of these yellow eyed demons that we are used to this time of year. It might be a sign of things to come. Fluke anglers have also been in the shop stocking up and getting ready to go for tomorrow and this weekend.

Bay Park Fishing Station has received reports of striped bass weighing up to 28lbs this week. The anglers were fishing west in the Raritan Bay. First reports of weakfish for the year have come from Bay Park Fishing Station. Capt. Joey Leggio and crew fished Hewlett Bay for weakfish. Melanie Meyer caught the largest weakfish weighing in at 4.30 lbs, the largest to date for 2018.

The party boats in Captree have been on the bass says the guys over at Captree Bait and Tackle. Once again, clam chumming has been the go to for catching these fish. Schoolie bass have been also caught from the local beaches. More reports of fluke being caught by accident have been coming in which is another great start for the season opening tomorrow.

At Smith Point Bait and Tackle, striped bass action is heating up from the surf and back bays. Anglers have been using small soft plastics while targeting these fish. They have also had many anglers coming in excited for fluke season, they are fully stocked with everything you need for fluke season.

In Hampton Bays at White Water Outfitters they said, the striped bass action has been getting better day by day. They have heard of porgies starting to chew and think it will only get better with this warmer weather. Weakfish have also been reported being caught in their area.

At Harbor Marina of East Hampton Rick reports, with air temperatures in the 70’s and local water temperatures now above 50 degrees we should start to see the Peconics come to life this week. Not a moment too soon with Porgy and Fluke both opening.

The first accounts of the Porgy fishing from 5/1 was a little slow and 5/2 was better, anglers are catching some fish in the usual spots in the Peconics. More consistent schoolie bass activity has been reported in our local backwaters and along the South Shore ocean beaches of Eastern Long Island, but no keeper size fish in the mix just yet.

With awesome spring weather forecasted on the front side of the upcoming weekend, it is definitely time to get out and wet a line. Many anglers are ready for some great Spring combo trips for Fluke, Porgy, Striper and Weakfish. With many local charter and head boats sailing this weekend, everyone can get in on the action.

In Montauk at Montauk Marine Basin, things have still been pretty quiet. They did hear of some reports of small bass coming from the surf at Montauk Point. Most of their anglers are starting to get there boats in the water now and target bass, porgies, and fluke this spring.

Talked to Sue over at Miller Place Bait and Tackle she said, she has heard of keeper sized striped bass coming from the smith point area. Closer to home on the back bays of Mount Sinai, there have been reports of schoolie bass from the 18-21” range. They have received some decent reports of porgies from rocky point.

At Terminal Tackle in Kings Park, reports of schoolie bass have also been coming into the shop. Many of the bays and harbors on the north shore have been holding fish and should only get better from here.

Fishing Forecast for Long Island

It does feel like we went from winter straight to summer with these temperatures for yesterday, today, and tomorrow. But things look to cool down a little bit over the weekend and into next week. This is the time of year just to get out on the water. With fluke season opening tomorrow and porgy and striped bass season already open you have so many options when heading out. The striped bass action should only get better over the weekend and would not be surprised to see bigger bass showing up over the weekend and into next week. Fluke season even though early seems like another good bet for this weekend. With so many fluke already being caught by accident, opening weekend should be a good one. Talking to every shop they all said the same thing, it will be any day now that bluefish will also be in the mix and invading our local water. If you are a freshwater angler the reports have been great for that as well and with this beautiful weather should for sure get you out the door. It’s been a lot and what seemed to be an never ending winter. Make sure to get out there now and enjoy the great fishing the sprig has to offer.