From the reports this week, school striped bass seem to be just about everywhere around Long Island and around Manhattan. Bigger fish are being taken along the South Shore from the Jones Beach west. Blackfishing has been good for most of the island as well. There have been many shorts, but some real giants that have been taken. Here is what the local shops had to say for the week.
Fishing Report For Long Island
Hudson Park Bait and Tackle reports lots and lots of tog in the area. There is a ton of action with the shorts, but there are keepers and some big fish mixed in. The biggest blackfish weighed in this week was an 11.9-pounder, caught on a Tidal Tails jig. Schoolie stripers seem to be just about everywhere. Anglers are catching fish with bucktails and diamond jigs. Don’t forget your fly rod at home either, John said they are doing very well with the flies as well. The bigger striped bass have been coming on the troll. Both spoons and mojos are doing the trick.
Bay Park Fishing Station reports, Dylan Palmer in the Dashing Wave fished the Hempstead Reef in about 70 feet of water, caught a 13.2-pound blackfish! The tog was caught using a banana-style Blackfish jig/crab combo. On Monday, Junior and Alex of Fishtracker caught a 25.8- and 18.2-pound Bass trolling in 50 feet of water Southwest of Debs using Green/White Spoons. Again on Monday, Joe Alfano caught a beautiful 45.8 pound Bass trolling in 45 feet of water off the Pink Hotel using a Mojo!
Stella Maris Bait and Tackle reports, there have been some nice bass taken on the troll around the Verrazano Bridge. There has been a bunch of schoolie bass action both from the surf and the boats. At night, anglers are drifting eels and are doing decent with the striped bass. Blackfish on most of the structures is fishing very well. There are many shorts, but there are some nice fish mixed in as well.
Captree Bait and Tackle reports, the Captree fleet of party boats are on the striped bass. Many of the boats are catching their boat limit by the first or second drift. These fish are being caught in about 40 to 60 feet of water on diamond jigs. Green, red, and even no tube on the hook all seem to be working. From the surf there are bass too, but mostly schoolies. The bite seems to be best for the first hour of day break.
Capitol Tackle reports, the blackfishing has been good out on the Capitol Princess. Most of the fish are coming on your standard green crab and single hook rig. Striped bass fishing has been decent locally, with many fish in the 25- to 30-inch range. On the freshwater side of things in the city, anglers are still catching largemouth bass on lipless swimmers.
White Water Outfitters reports, there are a lot of schoolie bass in the surf. Anglers are reporting 40 to 50 fish caught in a single trip. These fish are changing the abundance of sand eels that have arrived this fall. While many of the fish are small, you will find a keeper or two. Bass fishing on the boats has been good when the weather allows you to get out. They have heard of some really good blackfishing around Orient Point this week.
Westlake Marina made it simple in the weeks report blackfish, blackfish, and more blackfish. They said the fishing has been outstanding when the guys can get out. While no double-digit fish to report this week, the boats are catching their limits. The sea bass are still fishing well for the anglers that are targeting them.
Miller Place Bait and Tackle reports, the blackfishing has been good when the boats are able to get out. Anglers are still catching blackfish from the surf as well. Many shorts, but there are some keepers to be caught as well. The striped bass fishing has been ok locally, with many of the fish in the 10-pound range.
River Bay Outfitters reports, the freshwater ponds and lakes are still fishing well. The trout have been a little bit harder to catch, but there is still action for the fly-rodders. In the surf, schoolie bass are keeping anglers busy. The boats, Paul reports, are on the bigger fish in deeper water along the south shore.
The Celtic Quest Fishing Fleet reported, a good bite on the blackfish yesterday in less than ideal conditions! The new moon tide was in full force, but the fish bit throughout the day. Constant action with short fish, and a steady pick on the keepers with several flurries of nicer fish! They are fishing both out of Mattituck and Port Jefferson, make sure to go online and book your reservation to get into the action.
Fishing Forecast for Long Island
It seems like every Saturday this fall has brought tough fishing conditions for us here on Long Island. The good news is it should start to improve Sunday and into next week. Striped bass fishing along the South Shore should bounce back quickly with the amount of sand eels that are still around. The blackfishing should also continue to fish very well for most of not all the island. The fall run is in full swing, so make sure to get out there as much as you can. Good luck everyone and have a great weekend.