Long Island Fishing Report – October 18, 2018

The fall weather is definitely here, with many of us waking up to temperatures in the low 40s today. With the cold temperatures, the fishing is heating up. Strong winds and rain kept many anglers at the dock this week, but for the ones that were able to make it out fishing was very good. We have solid reports this week of blackfish and striped bass. The porgy and sea bass fishing remains a solid bet even though many anglers have switched to blackfish this past week. Here is what your local marinas and tackle shops had to say for the week.

Fishing Forecast for Long Island

Hudson Park Bait and Tackle reported, the blackfishing has gotten off to a great start. There has been a ton of shorts, but there are some big fished mixed in too. The biggest weighed in this week hit the scales at 12 pounds. John said, he has also seen multiple 10s, 9s, and 8s. Most of these fish are being taken on jigs and green crabs. The sea bass and porgy fishing remains good. Striped bass while not big are around. Many schoolie bass, but there are some fish in the 30 inch range.

Bay Park Fishing Station reports this past Sunday, Nick Savene of No Time Charters fished between the Yankee and Linda wrecks, Jake Gurian and Jake Raff of the “No Time” landed a 220-pound mako! The mako was caught using a live mackerel. Nice catch guys! Also on Sunday, the shop got a report from Frank Foster on the boat Baby 6. Trolling white spoons South of the inlet, the crew landed a 36.4-pound striped bass. The bass was angled in approximately 55 feet of water.

Stella Maris Bait and Tackle reports, the Albie fishing is very good in the area, with anglers catching most of the fish on epoxy jigs. Blackfish season opened this week and has been very good. Many of the fish have been taken in shallow water, on green and Asian crabs. Your normal blackfish rig has been working well, but the jigs seem to be doing better. On the wrecks with the blackfish have been porgies and seabass as well. They have started to see more schoolie striped bass in the area with the cooler temperatures.

Captree Bait and Tackle reports, that they have seen striped bass show up along the beaches. Anglers are catching most of these fish at night on a variety or artificial lures. The blackfishing has gotten off to a decent start this past week. The shop is fully stocked with a variety of fresh baits, for whatever you might be targeting this weekend.

White Water Outfitters reports, the striped bass fishing has been great east of the Shinnecock Inlet. These bass have showed up feeding on the sand eels. These fish have been a variety of sizes, but there have been some large fish weighing into the 30s. Blackfishing has been good both in the inlet and the canal. While there have been a ton of shorts, there have also been a lot of keepers. Albie fishing has slowed down a little bit due to the wind. The only day it was fishable this week however, the action was very good.

River Bay Outfitters reports, before the strong winds the last few days fishing was very good on the boats and the surf. It should pick up again right after this weather cooperates. On the freshwater side of things, the fishing is good. Trout fishing in the Connetquot is doing well, even with the wind. This Saturday is the Fall Fishing Festival at Hempstead State Lake Park. They have stocked around 2000 trout for this weekend and will be a good place to go next week after the festival is over.

Westlake Marina reports, the anglers that we’re able to make it out this week caught fish. Blackfishing has been off to a good start so far out in Montauk. Striped bass fishing remains good, both on the jigs and with bait. The Susie E caught a huge spanish mackerel this week, that looks like it will be the new state record.

Miller Place Bait and Tackle reported, the blackfishing has been good from both boat and shore. Most of the fish have been coming off of the local wrecks in 20-25 feet of water. Green crabs and jigs have been the ticket to catching most of the fish. There have been some striped bass being caught around the Rocky Point area this week.

Fishing Forecast for Long Island

If the wind ever settles down over the next few days, the fishing should turn back on. It seems the fish are there, it is just many people are not able to get after them. If the weather keeps you at the dock, hit the surf or a local jetty. There should be bass this weekend and into next week along the shoreline. Off the rocks, you will be able to target blackish. A simple blackfish rig or a jig should do the trick with either Asian or green crabs. The fall run has really started for most of the island and should only get better in the weeks to come. Good luck everyone this weekend and tight lines!