Long Island and NYC Fishing Report- September 12, 2024

Jeff at Whitewater Outfitters in Hampton Bays reported: “We’ve got a few albies starting to show here and there. The stripers seem to have resurged over the last couple of days. Guys drifting live bait are doing well, and the guys on the jetty are starting to make it happen too. No migratory fish, but the fishing has certainly gotten better. The bluefish showed in force as well—tons of 2 to 5 pounders are cruising around. Fluke fishing is hot; there are pockets of fish, however, they’re fairly concentrated which makes finding them difficult. We’re also experiencing a good triggerfish bite in the Bay, but thats likely to end soon.”

Wyatt at Haskell’s Bait and Tackle in East Quogue reported: “The weakfish are coming back strong, you can’t go wrong with live peanuts. These unicorns seem to love deep holes and channels during an incoming tide. Generally, over the next week or two, East Hampton and Montauk should light up with the first real taste of fall. The mullet will start moving out and fishing will be hot. Expect fish in the teen to 30-pound class for the first part of the fall run.”

Captain Stu from Northport Charters reported: “The Sound is still full of spearing and bay anchovies. Bait is all over the place and most mornings, the birds will let you know where the bait and gamefish are. We are diamond jigging blues from 3 to 8 pounds, and snapper blues are all over the place too! The water temperature in the Sound is holding at 70 degrees, we just need some more north wind to cool everything down. The porgy bite is still very strong with 2 pounders coming over the rail, and the sea bass are getting more plentiful and larger each week! It is setting up for a great fall run with all this life in our fishery.”

Phil at Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle in Northport reported: “Smaller bluefish and bass around chewing on 3- to 5-inch peanuts—light tackle and flies are crushing. The albies showed up out east in Saint James and Smithtown. We’ve been getting east wind which could push them in here any day.”

Bill at Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale reports: “Summer is winding down, but the fishing is getting better and better! There’s solid fluke action in the bay almost every day; 4- to 6-pound min-doormats are common these days. This is one of the best fluke seasons we have had in a while. Sea bass fishing is red hot, too. The wrecks are loaded with good fish. Weakfish are starting to show up in the bays. Fish light, and fish bright! Bluefish are ripping around the entire bay, smashing up anything you toss at ’em. They’re destroying bucktails and jigged soft plastics. Tins are always the go-to if you don’t want your gear torn up. Pelagics are running strong. Bonito and Spanish mackerel are running the inlets and beaches hard! Albies are showing up north, and starting to arrive down here as well. Docks are loaded with snappers and cocktail blues. Blue claw crab, blowfish, and kingfish can also be caught around the docks and are tons of fun for the whole family.”

Captain Chris at the Montauk Anglers Club reports: “It was an extraordinary week of fishing in Montauk. Both The inshore and offshore fishing was astounding. The first batch of false albacore have made their way around the north side, I ran into three different patches of fish outside of the inlet past the buoy working the tide line. Striped bass fishing continues to be better from the surf than from the boat. My guided trips are averaging about 25 fish per trip, with three or four slots in the mix. In the surf, for those who are searching for that one bite from a bigger fish, the Super Strike Little Neck Swimmer in bone has been the key. The snappers have moved into the harbor, and if you’re looking for a gigantic fluke, live-lining these is key! Porgy fishing from the shore and from the boat is as good as it gets. The squid have returned in big numbers, and they bite during the day. Now onto the highlight of the week, fluke fishing! Double-digit fish have hit the deck with many people catching their fluke of a lifetime. All of the boats are hammering them. The Lazybones is making two trips a day and catching multiple limits and double-digit fluke are in the mix. Now is the time to go. I have built a lot of spoons that are custom-made for fishing in Montauk, and they have caught multiple dooormats. Offshore, there has been a bluefin/yellowfin mix with fish in the 90-pound range and lots of overs being caught. Giant bluefin roam the shore, and there is a fleet of giant fishermen crushing them commercially, even though they are not worth anything right now…in other news, snap jigging season is back. I have multiple jigging setups ready to go. The best ones are baitcaster set ups, so come into the shop and check them out. I am available Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM. Feel free to call for any inquiries about guided trips.”

 

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Frank from Westlake Marina and Tackle Shop in Montauk reported: “Tuna fishing is red hot. There are alot of fish coming in from 100 to 160 pounds. Guys are getting tuna on the troll, jig, and chunk. Inshore, striper fishing is terrible, but it’s been better in the surf. Fluking is picking up a little bit, but it’s tough. The albies are offshore with the tuna but haven’t moved in close yet.”

Steve at Wego Fishing Bait and Tackle in Southold reported: “We’ve had a crazy week selling flats of butterfish and RonZ lures. The tuna bite is insane! Bass fishing is on the slow side, it’s a real real pick. Bluefish is pretty good but not as good as last month. They are still in The Race and The Gut. Weakfishing is pretty good by Bug Light on hi-lo rigs with squid and spearing. Sea bass in Pigeon Rip, at the end of the tide, seem to be keeping anglers busy as well. Porgies are in the bay and weakfish are in the deeper holes. There are a ton of blowfish available as well. No signs of albies around here yet; they’re off of Montauk mixed in with the tuna. In a week to 10 days they should push inshore. We need some wind to get things started!”

This past week I took a much needed break. With plenty of albies and bones caught in Nantucket, it was nice to sit down and get some rest before I begin to plot my fall on the east end. That said, I can never sit still for long, so I tied some new albie flies! In my arsenal are surf candies and micro Decievers. My most conducive candy has always been yellow Steve Farrar blend tied over white Farrar blend with a large eye. Typically, I tie these flies on 2/0 Owner Aki hooks. They are the sharpest hook I’ve ever tied with. If an albie sniffs the fly they’ll likely be hooked! As for my Decievers, I typically tie a pink over white Deciever with Cordiero hackle off the back. These flies come in at 4 inches long, and I usually add large, pronounced tab eyes which, I believe, entice the fish to chew. We’re still waiting for a big push of albies, but it’s best to show up prepared. Looking ahead, I’m hoping to get back out on the tuna grounds. The bite is too hot and I have a real fear of missing out. It’s only a matter of time until fall is in full swing, and that means heavy surf and big fish!

Oh man, its just about mid-September, and if you’re a hardtail junky it’s time to make your rounds across the east end. The bait is still stacked in Shinnecock Inlet. With some persistence, you’ll have a shot at an albie soon. That said, September 17th marks the full moon. This can really kick off some awesome fishing, with cooler nighttime temps, the resident fish should be ready to chew. If you’re looking for a cow, break out the big presentations. I’d recommend carrying larger plugs such as 3- to 5-ounce metal lips, Sebile Magic Swimmers, and even an Atom 40. While you’re less likely to catch a high volume of fish, you’ll set yourself up for success with the big ones. Keep in mind that the first 3 days before the moon and after the moon will create exacerbated tides. If there’s ever a time to lose sleep, its within that 6-day time span. We all know that a few days can really make or break the season. It’s time to get out there and sacrifice some sleep for some killer action. Get out and fish! The final push of the season is right around the corner.