Due to high winds, rough seas, and rain it was tough to get a fishing report this week with the lack of participation. The good news is for the anglers that did make it out, they were rewarded with fish. Here is what your local tackle shops and marinas had to report for the week.
Rick from Harbor Marina of East Hampton said, the striped bass bite remains a bit spotty on Eastern Long Island with some days being off the hook and others relatively quiet. He said they should see another month or so of solid striped bass fishing along the Fishers Island chain, as well as, out at Montauk with the main body of fish still located to our North. Local sharpies are picking away at short bass with an occasional keeper in the Peconic and Gardiners Bay Estuary. The Big news of the week is the arrival of the false albacore. They arrived en masse last week to multiple locations ranging from, the North Fork to Montauk Point to Shinnecock Inlet. Time to break out the Deadly Dicks! The recent North Easterly winds are starting to send fish down the south shore ocean beaches, so it is time to break out the surf rods. Fluking is all but finished on Eastern Long Island due to the weather, rough seas and the seasons eventual end on Sept. 30th. Sea Bass and porgies are in full swing with steady catches being reporting. A few incidental catches of blackfish are getting bottom fishing enthusiasts excited for the season opener on October 15th. The fall migration is underway and local bottom fishing is in full swing, it’s a great time to be an “On the Water” enthusiast on Eastern Long Island.
Bay Park Fishing Station reports, Ray, Carlos, and Herman fished on the boat The Reel Limshady last Saturday and got 9 keeper seabass in 2 and a half hours. All the fish were caught on salted clams. Lloyd Malsin on the boat Nansea II fished Wednesday and chummed up about 50 schoolie bass which were all released. They also hadn’t bunch of seabass and bluefish, that were also released. All on the tide and done within 90 minutes. Tide was the criteria!
Hudson Park Bait and Tackle reports, there are plenty of cocktail blues in the area to go around. There are some bigger ones mixed in as well. The porgy bite remains good while fluke fishing has really slowed down. The shop is gearing up for blackfish season to start in a couple of weeks. Make sure to stop buy and pick up a couple of Tidal Tail jigs.
White Water Outfitters reports, the albies have showed up in the local waters. Some days have been better than others, but when they have shown up the action has been great. There has still been a decent bluefin tuna bite in the inshore waters for the boats that have been able to get out. Most of the tuna have been in the 70- to 80-pound range. Striped bass has picked up in the Shinnecock canal, but the best bite has been out in Montauk with guys diamond jigging for bass.
Captree Bait and Tackle reports, anglers have been picking away at the cocktail blues lately. There have been some shad that have moved into the area and are mixing in with the blues. The shop is running the first Dylan T. Steigerwald Striped Bass Tournament will be held on Saturday, November 3rd, 18. The entry fee is $100 per boat, sign up before 10/31 at Captree Fuel, Bait & Tackle. Tournament check in is 6 a.m. at Captree Fuel, Bait & Tackle. The weigh-ins will start at 11am and conclude at 3 p.m.
Westlake Marina reports, the false albacore have shown up in Montauk and the fisherman are having a ball with them. The ocean was rough this week, but for the boats able to get out they did very well with the striped bass both close to home and towards Block Island. Shark fishing for the bigger boats trying for them has been consistent.
Miller Place Bait and Tackle reports the albies have shown up in the Mt. Sinai area. They had a 23lb striped bass hit the scale this week. The fish was caught on a swimmer that was purchased in the shop earlier in the day. Fluke fishing has been slow, but the porgy bite is still good.
Terminal Tackle reports, big porgies seem to be just about everywhere. Even with the bad weather keeping boats at the dock, anglers have still been able to get into the porgy action in the harbors. Also, in the harbors have been some schoolie striped bass. Though a lot of them are on the smaller side, there are some bigger fish in the mix as well.
River Bay Outfitters reports, Montauk seems the place to be. He said captain Bill O’Rourke took a couple of guys out this past week and got into bass and bluefish without having to leave the inlet. They also too the fly rods to the beach and caught some bass also. Locally a lot of anglers stayed home because of the weather. The anglers that have been fishing the freshwater scene have been doing well with the Connetquot being your best option. The local ponds are fishing well with the fly rods and some of the weeds that take over the ponds in the summer have started to go away making fishing a lot more enjoyable.
The Celtic Quest reports, even with the high winds over this past weekend the porgy bite was still phenomenal. The weather seemed to turn on the bite even more. This weekend weather looks good so book your tickets and get out there while the fishing is good.
Gone Fishing Marina reports, many boats did not sail this week due to weather. However, this past Sunday the boat Jah Reel weighed in a monster 395-pound Mako!
Fishing Forecast for Long Island
Though tomorrow weather does not look like it will be the best, Saturday and Sunday look like you will be able to finally get out on the water. It is your last chance for fluke for the season with it ending on Sunday. It is not something to overlook, especially if you are out targeting seabass and porgies already. Albies seem to be starting to make a real push around the island. Surf anglers it is a great time to hit a local inlet with some skinny metals and target these fish. Your best bet it seems like for striped bass is still out in Montauk. These fish should be on the move shortly and we should see more all around the island. I hope everyone has a great weekend out on the water and tight lines!