Fishing around most of Long Island has been spotty this past week. The two bright spots have been around Staten Island and in Montauk. The good news is, it seems striped bass, bluefish, and albies are starting to move more west both on the south and north shore. Here is what your local shops and marinas had to say for the week.
Long Island Fishing Report
Rick from Harbor Marina of East Hampton reports, striped bass Fishing remains spotty along the Fishers Island Chain, a decent shot of bluefish were in “The Gut” earlier in the week. That same trip produced a few short stripers in “The Gut” and disappointing results further to the East. Surfcasting is picking up along our South Fork ocean beaches with some keeper size striped bass being reported. False albacore are making a strong showing throughout Gardiners Bay and Block Island Sound. Sea Bass fishing has been a little hit or miss with the weather but should turn on again when the weather calms down. The local weather looks good for the Columbus Day Weekend and we are all looking forward to some great time on the water.
Bay Park Fishing Station reports, on Sunday Mike and John on the Reel Inn, picked up a 1/4 bushel of clams from Bay Park and headed out to the bottom fishing grounds off the Rockaway Reef. Fished a few hours on the hook and had many scup releasing some keepers retaining only fish above 10 inches for the table. They had a few small sea bass and grabbed a 17-inch keeper also, but the show stealers were the couple of nice trigger fish they had to around 4 pounds! They ran out of bait and headed in happy!
Michaels Bait and Tackle in Staten Island has been getting good reports of striped bass, weakfish, and some bigger bluefish. The biggest bluefish weighed in this week hit the scales at 10 pounds. The big news for the week is that, the albies have started to show up around the Verrazano Bridge this week. They are being taken on the fly and skinny metals.
Stella Maris Bait and Tackle reports, albies have really moved in strong over this past week. Both anglers from boat and shore have been getting into the action. Porgy fishing has remained very good, with some nice trigger fish mixed in.
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 on all the structure. The shop is gearing up for blackfish season that will start next week. They mentioned using jigs early in the season is usually your best bet. Many for are in shallow water and can be a lot of fun, with a jig and a lighter rod and reel set up.
River Bay Outfitters reports, one of his customers fished Jones Inlet and Monday and caught upwards of 20 shad on the fly rod. These fish can be a lot of fun on the fly for or even a light spinning rod combo. The local ponds and lakes are fishing better now that the weeds and lily pads are starting to die off. Another thing freshwater anglers have to look forward to is the stocking of trout for the fall. This should be happening very soon.
White Water Outfitters reports, the albies are starting to show up more in the Shinnecock inlet. Also around the inlet, anglers have been catching some decent striped bass on fresh bait. They have been hearing reports out further east in Montauk of a good bass bite on the jig. They have also heard that the Albie fishing has been outstanding in Montauk as well.
Captree Bait and Tackle reports, they had a beautiful striped bass hit the scale this week caught by Johnny Bagels. The fish was caught off a local beach using fresh bunker from the shop. Around the local piers and docks, anglers have been catching both blowfish and kingfish.
Westlake Marina said they had a 325-pound mako come into the marina this week. They said there are a lot of boats still out there fishing for sharks. The striped bass fishing has been decent, with some days being better than other. They mentioned fluke season ended on a high note with many big fish coming in on the last weekend of the season. Fishing for porgy and sea bass remains good out in Montauk. The Albie fishing seems to be the best bite right now. They seem to be popping up all over the place and can be caught from boat and shore.
Gone Fishing Marina reported, that things have been quiet this week. The one thing though to report has been the albies. Many anglers have been fishing for them around the inlet and it seems as soon as you drop your line in, you have a fish on.
Miller Place Bait and Tackle said, the Albie have shown up thick in the middle grounds. Also, around the middle grounds, fisherman have been catching bass on live eels. There have been some larger sized snappers and schoolie bass in the local harbors. The porgy fishing has been good this week, while the seabass fishing has slowed some.
Terminal Tackle reports, the porgy seem to be just about everywhere. All the local wrecks and structure continue to hold fish. They have seen some schoolie striped bass in the inner harbors and back bays. Mixed in with the schoolies have been some keepers sized bass as well.
The Celtic Quest reports, still being on a great porgy bite. The fish finder on most days is loaded with color, with both seabass and porgies under the boat. Anglers are bringing ok both triple and double headers on one line. Weakfish have shown up in the mix with the porgies, which is always a welcome site.
Fishing Forecast for Long Island
The weather looks good for this weekend and even for the holiday on Monday. This is the time of year when you have a good amount of options when it comes to fish to target. Surf anglers head to a local inlet and be on the lookout for some albies. There should be some bluefish and shad around too. On the boats you have some more options for the weekend. Most of the island and west should have a good shot at striped bass, porgies, and albies. When out there just be prepared for anything and everything. Next week we should see our first reports of blackfish, which opens in the sound on the 11th. Good luck everyone this weekend out on the water and tight lines!
Shad bite has been absolutely insane on the eastern south shore. Catching them every cast in certain spots ripping Tins for albies.