North Shore Fishing Reports
The Angler Fleet (@anglerfleet) out of Port Washington is seeing steady keeper fluke action and a good number of throwbacks. Porgies are showing up in stronger numbers along local structure, signaling the start of mixed-bag season.
theangler.com | 718-659-8181
Captain Stu of Northport Charters reports, “Gamefish are chewing hard this week on charters and at kids’ fishing camp! We’re still catching lots of short fluke, and Henry landed a 6-pound doormat. Sea bass are starting to come over the rail with bigger keepers showing up daily. Porgies are increasing in size and numbers, with plenty of pork-chop-sized scup going in the pail. Slot-size stripers are still around but getting scarcer in the Sound as water temps rise. We’re also catching the occasional weakfish.”
northportcharters.com | 631-707-3266
Mark at Cow Harbor says the heat and pop-up storms have stirred things up. Anglers are catching fluke and weakfish on party boats. Porgy fishing is slower than usual, but live spot is producing striped bass for patient anglers. Bunker schools are thick in the back bays.
cowharbortackle.com | 631-239-1631
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NYC Fishing Reports
Bernie’s Bait and Tackle in Brooklyn reports hot porgy action, while striped bass and bluefish are still around but picky. Sheepshead are a big target lately, with anglers using MagicTail jigs tipped with worm, crab, or clam around bridge pilings. Offshore tuna action is heating up, and the shop just received a batch of exclusive custom plugs.
@berniesbaittackle
Captain Arthur Cortes (@cortes_outfitters) says ocean fishing has picked up big time. Mixed-size striped bass are hitting flies, and flats fishing is producing in the late morning. Bluefish have slowed, but they should return soon. Recommended lure: white bucktail. Fly of choice: olive-over-white deceiver.
cortesoutfitters.com | 347-326-4750
Rockfish Charters reports excellent bluefin tuna fishing this week. Most were caught on jig and pop, though trolling worked for short trips. Tuna are about an hour from the inlet, and yellowfin are just starting to show up. The bite is expected to keep improving through August.
Captain Josh Rogers of The Gypsea in Brooklyn reports: The fluke fishing continues to be very lively with a large body of fish in quite a few areas. You have to weed through the shorts, but the keepers are around! We have been bouncing around the rough bottom looking for the jumbos on their way out of the bays. We set out on a night black drum trip earlier in the week, and boy did it not disappoint. We landed 10 fish to around 70 lbs, while releasing quite a few and breaking off many more. What an epic experience for these anglers, love it when a plan comes together ! We sail two boats daily by reservation only, and also offer charters for your desired species. fishgypseany.com
South Shore Fishing Reports
Captain Doug Toback of Corazon Charters (@corazonfishing) in Freeport says the tuna bite remains strong with yellowfin now in the mix. Fluke trips start next week, and August will kick off their Trophy Fluke hunts.
corazonfishing.com | 917-566-9345
The Captree Fleet (@captreefleet) reports that fluke fishing in the bay is hot, with boats finding their limits. Sea bass are still firing, and both bay and ocean trips are producing.
captreefleet.com | 631-669-6464
Brandon Weitz (@bweitz) from Causeway Bait and Tackle says fluke fishing in the bay is outperforming the reefs, with multiple 5- to 8-pounders weighed in, plus a 10.3-pounder caught on spearing and squid. Cobia have arrived around bunker schools, along with various shark species. Offshore tuna action is hot from midshore to the canyons, with bluefin, yellowfin, and mahi on the feed.
East End Fishing Reports
Tom Truehart (@northshoretommy) ran solo to the 30-fathom curve and stumbled into a red-hot bluefin bite. Trolling produced a quick triple hookup, and poppers did the rest. After going 19 for 21, he left them biting—something he never thought he’d do.
Tim Rourke (@mtkpointflyfishing) in Montauk reports loads of bluefin tuna within 10 miles of the point, with fish hitting trolled plugs, jigs, and poppers. Most weigh in at 50 to 60 pounds, with some bigger fish in the mix. Offshore, bigeye over 200 pounds are being caught, along with yellowfin, albacore, and even the occasional swordfish at night.
Steve at Wego Fishing in Southold says stripers are still hitting on the outgoing tide in The Gut, although action has slowed a bit. Porgies are in the bay, fluke fishing is spotty, and cocktail blues are hitting jigs at Jessups. Beaches are giving up porgies during the day and stripers after dark. Offshore tuna fishing is excellent.
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Jack’s Fishing Report
This weekend, my buddy Andrew and I were invited on a mutual friend’s boat—John Bentz’s 36-foot downeaster, perfectly built for style, comfort, and TUNA. Armed with jig-and-pop gear, trolling setups, and my fly rod, we blasted out to the tuna grounds in search of feeding fish.
As the sun rose over calm blue water, dolphins, whales, and birds started working the surface. Within 30 minutes, we were tight on a 60-pound tuna that crushed a Joe Baggs Skipper on the surface. After putting the fish on ice, we reset and approached some whales. Within seconds of dropping a UVT jig, I hooked a giant that I fought for over an hour and a half before eventually shattering the rod and breaking off. Never in my life have I been so humbled by a fish—the power and explosiveness of a large tuna is unmatched.
With my dreams of landing a giant crushed, we reset our drift on some whales and dolphins. Andrew and I immediately hooked up on Nomad poppers. The explosions, boils, and drag-screaming runs were vicious. After a quick photo and release, we looked up to find our mammals had vanished.
Next, we threw out the trolling spread and immediately lost three fish in quick succession. One was actually sharked! Due to the clean nature of the cut, I’m convinced it might have been a tiger shark.
After another 30 minutes of trolling, I spotted a giant flock of birds cruising along with tuna ripping below. For the next 45 minutes, Andrew, John, and I went fish for fish. I eventually broke out the fly rod in hopes of landing one on the fly. I got a follow—but no eat.
Fast forward to July 16th. At 5PM I got out of work, ripped it down to my boat in Manhasset Bay, and ran 30 miles east with my buddy Matt. As we pulled up to the spot, we were greeted by stacks of fish willing to crush a flutter spoon and Doc. From 6:30PM to sunset, we had a bunch of overslot fish crushing the plug! I’m shocked the bass are still ripping around in this HOT weather.
Fishing Outlook
The tuna bite is out of this world. There are plenty of open boats to hop on, and the fish are everywhere—inshore, mid-shore, and offshore. Sizes range from medium to large, and they’re not afraid to crush a jig or popper. Get in while the action is HOT. I know Captain Chris Oliver of Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing in Connecticut has plenty of availability!
On the inshore scene, fluke is the main bounty. We’re at a point where any sandy bottom should hold fluke. Pack a bathing suit and hit the open beach with a jig and some Gulp. Be sure to work the bottom effectively by tapping the rod tip consistently. I’ve always done well on a chartreuse Gulp Swimming Mullet in 4”, but don’t be afraid to go big with longer and larger Gulp products!
As for bass fishing, it seems the further east you go, the better your chances. The best shot is likely going to be deep water at sunrise or sunset with walking plugs, bucktails, flutter spoons, and live bunker.