Fall Run fishing is (arguably) the best fishing of the year, although I’m not sure who would argue with that. Come the end of September and early October, if it swims, it’s probably biting. Add a big storm into the mix, and fall run fishing is at its peak.
I was back on Long Island very briefly for a wedding last weekend, and unfortunately my striper/weakfish trip on Jamaica Bay got blown out due to gusty conditions. It was discouraging to say the least; I had really been looking forward to fishing during the limited time I had on my home waters, so I scrounged together some gear and decided to hit a bridge near home. I intentionally chose a spot that would put me out of the wind, but would provide me with good current and hard structure. I anticipated some decent fishing for stripers in the wind and cloud cover, but came up empty handed. So, to make the most of my last hour or two, I tied on a kingfish rig with a 1-ounce bank sinker, and trimmed the tails off some already-used Gulp grubs that were sitting in my trunk for this exact occasion.
• Looking for Tim Regan’s Eastern Long Island Fishing Report? Click here to read what’s happening around Suffolk County and the Forks!
This spot was decent for fluke fishing, but I had plans to target some kingfish and puffers. I tipped the hooks of the kingfish rig with the snipped Gulp tails. Although the kings didn’t cooperate, I hauled in a handful of northern puffers in about 30-minutes, which put a smile on my face. Sometimes that’s what fishing is; it isn’t always about catching the biggest, fastest or even most-desirable species, it’s just about putting your mind to catching something that will put a bend in the rod.
Bottom line is: stay open-minded and there is always something to catch this time of year.
In seasons past, I’ve enjoyed taking a charter fishing trip or two around now as well. A couple years back I went out on the Ocean Eagle out of Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn for some of the best porgy fishing I’ve ever experienced. The action was fast and furious, and while most anglers caught on rainbow clams I enjoyed catching with small Fat Cow jigs on account of the influx of rain bait we see during the early fall.
Bluefish are keeping daytime surfcasters entertained when the bass don’t cooperate. It’s still best to target the stripers at night, although bluefish don’t seem to mind crashing that party either. Right now, where there are backwater bass, there are almost always a few big bluefish willing to take the same bait. Bucktails, Mag Darters and other small swimming plugs that imitate small- to medium-size baitfish will get bit around back bay channels, and with the influx of peanut bunker, the action is often fast and furious.
From the Shops
Josh at Jacks Bait and Tackle in City Island, Bronx reports:
“The party boats actually did really well on bluefish in the Western Sound this week, which is strange because they seemed to disappear for a few weeks, but nobody’s complaining. The boats caught their blues while chunking bunker. Once that chum slick gets spreading, the blues were fired up. Also, tautog fishing is starting to pick up. They aren’t legal to keep yet, but they’re moving in and guys are catching them as bycatch with porgies. The porgy bite remains steady in the Western Sound. Now we’re seeing striped bass fishing picking up a bit with the influx and variation of baitfish, and there’s a lot of tinker mackerel around as well.”
Jesus at Stella Maris Bait and Tackle in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn reports:
“Jamaica Bay has some jumbo porgies if you know where to look for them, and the occasional fluke comes up with them as well. Kingfish are being caught off of the Rockaway jetties as well. Further out, big bluefin tuna are in the NY Bight, and plenty of stripers are up in New York harbor, but it requires the right knowledge and gear to find successful fishing. Manhattan Beach has seen a ton of bluefish recently for the surfcasters. And right here behind the shop, snappers and stripers are biting in the marina around low light. You can hear them going off on peanut bunker when it gets dark out, and some guys are catching on small soft plastics. They’re mostly schoolies, but it looks like it should be a good fall run.”
Brandon at Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh reports:
“The back bays around Jones Inlet have been good for striped bass and big bluefish recently. Artificial work, but the bigger fish are coming on live bait. There are also lots of kingfish coming up around the bays and beaches, as well as behind Jones Inlet. Find the hard structure and use some small cut bait, you’ll likely be rewarded with some kings. Slot bass are being caught by one of customers who is using live spot and live kingfish, but there are some good bass coming on clams as well.” Stop into the shop on your way down the Wantagh Parkway.
Lindenhurst Bait and Tackle reports:
“I’m starting to believe that the fluke bite is getting hot. Bobby B. and I drifted inside the Great South Bay yesterday and put together a decent catch.” Fluke fishing in the bay has been god, but that could change after the wind and storms this weekend.
Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reports:
“Andrew Gewirtz ,Tuna Jake Rothstein , Sean, Russel and Mike Ventura boated 15 yellowfin and 3 mahi on the tuna grounds. All fish taken on the chunk with fresh squid hook baits.”
From the Boats
Gypsea Charters in Howard Beach, Queens reports:
“Striped bass fishing continues to be phenomenal with limits on most trips using live bait. It is definitely shaping up to be a great fall run! We will continue striped bass fishing until the blackfish opener on 10/15. Keep an eye on our Instagram @gypseacharters or our Facebook page for announcements for special upcoming trips!” Call/text Captain Josh (516)659-3814 to reserve your spot, as reservations are a must.
Captain Rich of Rockfish Charters in Brooklyn reports:
“Nothing new this week; the striped bass fishing continues to be hit or miss around the NY Bight, but we’re still hooking up with giant bluefin on most trips, and most of the fish weigh between 300 and 500 pounds. We’re currently dialed into this bite, but keep in mind that we have had trips without a bite as well. I’m sure it will all change after this blow. We won’t be fishing for the next several days.” Call/text Captain Rich (347)661-4501 or go to rockfishcharters.com for more information.
Sound Bound Charters in New Rochelle and Mamaroneck reports:
“Captain Danny reported a sunset slam for last night’s (Wednesdays) private charter. After a few slower sunset trips the porgies were out in full force last night chewing hard. Lots of fish landed and we are set to do it again tonight at 5:30 p.m.” They saw great porgy fishing on Sunday as well. Call Sound Bound to book a trip (347)843-5310 or go to soundboundcharters.com for more!
Point Lookout’s Super Hawk reports:
“Despite some wind the weather recently has been great. Anglers on our recent trips have been treated jumbo porgies, sea bass, fluke, bluefish, bonito, false albacore and more. We are sailing daily 6:30 a.m. – 12:30, and 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. for sea bass, porgies and fluke. Full day trips will begin on Tuesday, October 11!” For reservations, call (516) 607-3004 or go to superhawkfishing.com.
Captain Vinnie of Karen Ann Charters in Jamaica Bay reports:
“Jamaica Bay is on fire with striped bass fishing right now. The weakfish bite has slightly died off after all the wind this past week, but they’re still here. We’ve also gotten into some good fluke and bluefish this past week. Bass fishing should hold strong even through the storms this weekend.” Call/text Captain Vinnie (516)728-6952 to book a trip.
Looking to meet some Suffolk friends without making a trek? Captree State Park is a convenient place to link up for like-minded anglers.
Captree’s Laura Lee reports:
“On Tuesday the 7:01 a.m. full day trip caught 331 sea bass, 355 big porgies, 22 bonita, 7 false albacore, 7 fluke, 2 flounder, 7 mackerel, and 12 ling. Then, at 1 p.m. the local bay trip caught 115 fluke up to 5.2lbs, 23 sea bass, 2 porgies 1 triggerfish and 12 sea robins. The 6 p.m. local bay trip caught 5 stripers, 6 weakfish, 3 bluefish and 1 fluke.
On Wednesday the 7 a.m. local trip caught 169 fluke to 5lbs, 30 sea bass, and 20 sea robins. At 7:01 a.m. the Express caught 48 bonito, 44 false albacore, 6 bluefish, 75 sea bass, 70 mackerel, 79 porgies and 15 fluke. The 1 p.m. local trip caught 81 fluke up to 5.48lbs, 18 sea bass, 15 sea robins, 1 triggerfish, 1 weakfish and 1 capeshark. The 6 p.m. local caught 3 stripers, 4 weakfish and 24 fluke.”
-
Looking for Tim Regan’s Eastern Long Island Fishing Report? Click here to read what’s happening around Suffolk County and the Forks!
-
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain around Long Island or NYC!
Western L.I. / NYC Fishing Forecast
There’s no telling what this storm moving up the coast implies for the fishing. While the wind and swells may churn up the bottom and lead to some difficulties for those interested in sea bass, porgies and fluke, bluefish and striped bass fishing could pick up as more fish move down the coast.
Some of the best striped bass fishing I have experienced has been in questionable conditions, casting into heavy wind and pelting rain. I find that they’ll often feed on whatever lands in front of them during these rough conditions. When the surf is turbulent and foaming, swimming plugs, darters, bucktails and soft plastic jigs will all get the job done. The only thing that may not catch in these conditions are tins and diamond jigs. The visibility will be low, so bright colors and noisy plugs that push a lot of water and/or give off an audible rattle will help the stripers locate your offering.
I can’t believe it’s October. The residual effects of Hurricane Ian could put a nail in the coffin of fluke season, which ends on October 9. If you ask me, it’s time to hang up the Gulp bags for the year and pull out any/all striped bass fishing lures you’ve got. It’s setting up to be a productive fall run.
Whatever you do, be safe out there. Fish with a friend, look out for each other, fish hard and be respectful of other anglers (and Mother Nature).
Catch you next Thursday.
Big boat fishing you cant beat Capt. Steve of the Superhawk…small boat?? karen Ann rules the bays