The albies are here! I received reports this week and have seen videos of albies in many locations along the South Shore. Fluke fishing out east in Montauk has been phenomenal with fish as big as 13 pounds hitting the scales this week. There seems decent fishing for most of the island. Here is what your local shops had to say for this week.
Long Island Fishing Report
Hudson Park Bait and Tackle reports, they have seen blues move in and out of the area frequently over this past week. Anglers are catching most of these fish on diamond jigs. The porgy fishing has remained strong and out deeper in the sound the fluke fishing has picked up. One angler using Tidal Tails stinger bucktails caught a 10-, 11-, and 12-pound fluke. All these fish were caught in about 70 feet of water. New for this week have been the weakfish, that have started to be caught with some decent size to them.
Stella Maris Bait and Tackle reports, the tuna bite has been very good in both Hudson and Chicken Canyons. Fluke fishing has been decent in the Rockaway Reef. Closer to shore snapper, cocktail blues, and the arrival of albies have been keeping anglers busy.
Great Kills Bait and Tackle reports, in the surf anglers are catching 3- to 4-pound cocktail blues. The weakfish have started to show up in the local waters this past week. Fluke fishing has been steady, a lot of smaller fish, but there has been a lot of action. Offshore has been good around the mud hole with the mahi. The best news this week has been the report of striped bass being caught out of the harbor on live eels. Hopefully, this is the start to a great fall run.
River Bay Outfitters reports the albies and Spanish mackerel have moved into the inlet. Paul himself was down there earlier in the week and caught both species of fish on the fly rod. He said the fish were pushing the bait right up to the shore. White color flies or teasers seemed to be key. In the freshwater things have slowed this week due to the heat, but should get better after this weekend with what should feel like fall weather.
Captree Bait and Tackle reports albies, Spanish mackerel, and even mahi have moved into Fire Island Inlet. The big surprise this week, was a 50-inch striped bass taken from the beach. Was not able to get what the fish was caught on, but shows a little promise to what might come this fall. Fluke fishing has been strong, there are a lot of shorts around, with some nice keepers mixed in. Off the docks snappers, blowfish, and the crabs have been very good.
Bay Park Fishing Station reports on Monday, Steve, Anthony, and John went fishing in Cholera and caught 6 keeper Fluke from 20 to 24 inches. All fish were caught on chartreuse Otter Tails and Nuclear Chicken Gulp!
The Celtic Quest reports amazing bottom fishing this last week. The porgy fishing has been great, with some nice sized seabass mixed in. They are also catching a variety of sized bluefish. They are sailing out of both Port Jefferson and Mattituck, check their website for their daily trip schedule.
White Water Outfitters reports the albies have arrived in Shinnecock. There has been a decent body of striped bass that moved into the area. This large school of fish mostly seem to be right around keeper size. The fluke bite in deep water has been ok as of late. If you can find the schools of squid, you will find some big fluke under them. Seabass fishing on the wrecks from 80 to 120 feet of water has been off the charts. In the Peconic, anglers are having fun with the light tackle targeting kingfish and weakfish.
Captain Stu. of Northport Charters reports, he has nailing big blues to 10 to 12 pounds. There has been a nice porgy bite to 2 1/2 pounds. Schoolie blues around too! He also mentioned that this is the most peanut bunker he has ever seen all over the bay & Sound.
Rick of Harbor Marina of East Hampton reports, the hot humid weather has cooled off some of the local in-shore fishing opportunities. Cocktail Blues and snapper fishing on Three Mile Harbor is still red hot with tons of bait in the harbor. Schoolie bass have made their presence known in our local back-waters and this should improve once the heat wave breaks. Montauk fluking remains strong and should hold up prior to the up-coming Nor-Easter. Bass fishing at the point is spotty with the better captains putting together some quality outings. Rick was out on Tuesday and the best local fishing we found was in the deep-water north of Plum Island. They enjoyed a strong sea bass bite with a few fluke in the mix. The Race was quiet on Tuesday, but he is sure that will not last for long. It’s time to hit the surf zone with the upcoming Nor Easter, and some quality game-fish should start to re-enter the Eastern Bays as the water temperatures cool down. Let the migration begin.
Montauk Marine Basin reports, the fluke bite has been very good with many double-digit fluke hitting the decks this week. The striped bass action has slowed down, but should pick up soon with the weather changing. Big sea bass are being reported by the windmills off Block Island. Many of the boats have been heading 15 to 20 miles off shore and finding a ton of white marlin and mahi mahi.
Westlake Marina reports, they just had a 5.75-pound seabass hit the scales today. The fish was caught by Will Woodruff on the charter boat Double D. Fluke fishing is good, and they have seen some very impressive catches this week. Nothing hitting the double-digit mark, but many fish from 5 to 8 pounds. Striped bass fishing has been mostly just been at night, but fish have hit the scales as big as 40 pounds. Sharking has been good with some big threshers still around.
Miller Place Bait and Tackle reports, they heard a bunch of reports and had some nice bluefish and striped bass hit the scales this week. Most on the boaters are heading out to the middle grounds to find these fish. Around the area of buoy 7 cocktail blues have showed up. The porgy action is still good like it has been for what seems like this whole year.
Fishing Forecast for Long Island
Though we are finally going to get a break from the heat this weekend. The weather for fishing does not look that promising. With strong east winds and seas growing, many anglers might be forced to stay in this weekend. Your best bet for the weekend would be, to fish the inshore waters close to home. It seems like every inlet and back bays are holding some fish. Once this weather starts to cooperate next week, you have a ton of options. If you are looking for your shot at a trophy fluke, head on out to Montauk. Fluke season is only open for a few more weeks, so get out there while you can. Inshore anglers, it seems the albies have moved into the south shore and it’s time to get after them. Hope everyone has a great weekend and good luck out there on the water!