Long Island and NYC Fishing Report
North Shore
Capt. Skippy in Mount Sinai Harbor reports: “This week out of Mount Sinai Harbor, Captain Skippy Charters saw some great fishing after a drop in water temperatures kicked off fall action! Bottom fishing has heated up with a strong porgy bite, large sea bass, and even a few weakfish. Striped bass fishing remains steady, with bluefish in the mix as well. Bass and cocktail blues are beginning to move back to their inshore haunts around rocks and harbors.
This week we landed bass up to 39 inches and bluefish to 8 pounds on the troll, jigging, and topwater. We’ve also been working with Gray FishTag, tagging over-slot striped bass for research. This gives customers a unique opportunity to catch, tag, name, and release large stripers—all in the name of science! Shoutout to Chris and Jen for celebrating their anniversary with us by tagging and releasing a big bass they named Uncle Henry after the man, the myth, the legend.
Fluke fishing has slowed on the shoals, and your best shot at a keeper now is in deeper water, targeting drop-offs and structure with large baits. Captain Skippy Charters is currently running private 1–4 passenger mixed-bag trips targeting striped bass, bluefish, black sea bass, and porgies. Call 631-252-6536 to get in on the action!”
Andrew Bernat (@tactical_bassin26) reports: “The bite remains consistent after dark, with bass responding well to swimmers and soft plastics. Cooler temperatures have sparked more aggressive feeding behavior, especially around structure and current. Expect fish in the teen-pound range, with the occasional bigger push during moving tides. The water is alive with small bait, especially peanut bunker, spearing, and juvenile mullet. Predator fish are clearly dialed in on the easy meals, and blitz-style action can erupt at any time.
Big gators are still in the mix—reports of bluefish over 10 pounds are not uncommon, especially around deeper water and rips during tidal swings. They’re crushing topwater plugs and large metal spoons. Things are coming alive in the East River! Striped bass in the 20+ pound class are being caught, mostly at night and during early morning tides. Best bets are live eels and eel-style plastics fished deep near structure or shadow lines. False albacore and bonito are also beginning to trickle in. Keep a rod ready with epoxy jigs or Deadly Dicks. No major pushes yet, but the signs are promising for the next week or two as water temps drop further.”
The Angler Fleet (@anglerfleet) out of Port Washington reports: “The porgy fishing has continued to have tons of action, with both spots and shorts. Although getting those quality porgies has been volatile, we’ve been seeing tons of bait moving through, signaling a great kickoff to the fall. With cooling water, some bass are beginning to trickle in, and we’re hopeful for an awesome season ahead for both bass and blackfish. To get in on the action, call or text (718)-659-8181 or visit theangler.com.”
Captain Arthur Cortes (@cortes_outfitters) in NYC reports: “Great fishing last week with weakfish and striped bass blitzing in the mornings. Small blues are all over the bay and inlet. Jamaica Bay is full of peanut bunker and ready for fall. Fly choice: 4-inch White EP flies. Lure: Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore Popper. To get in on the action, call or text 347-326-4750 or visit cortesoutfitters.com.”
Mark at Cow Harbor reports: “Lots of cocktail-size blues, and a lot of spearing have moved into the area. The harbors are loaded with bait. Black sea bass are in the triangle, and keepers are out there. It’s only going to get better from here. As the water cools down, all these fish are going to push into the bay fairly soon—look to the last week of September and beginning of October. Some Spanish mackerel have moved into the area around the triangle. Guys casting metal jigs and epoxies are on them! Visit cowharbortackle.com or call 631-239-1631.”
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South Shore
Nick at Haskell’s Bait & Tackle reports: “The wind has been killer. Everything is standard with the albies—we’ve seen more bonito and Spanish mackerel. It’s a pelagic fisherman’s dream! Come in and stock up on epoxy jigs and Deadly Dicks. Anything brown or pink is the go-to. It’s a great time to stock up on sandeel jigs.”
Anthony (@godeepmtk) reports: “I spent the weekend on the boat chasing albies outside the inlet. We caught 18 albies in two days on the 40g Slob Slammer. We also had 20–30 lb fish at night on topwater using the Bar Breaker and Super Strike Darter. There are plenty of albie blitzes and bait—baby weakfish, shad, peanut bunker, and more. It’s bluefish galore as well. Last week I saw a tuna pop out of the water on the surf line, right on the town beach, 100 yards out. We have two miles of adult shad between 8–12 inches. Adult bunker have been scarce, but in a week or two we should have an epic bucktail bite.”
Nick Cherkas (@surfcasting_the_island) reports: “As expected, the first nor’easter always stirs up cocktail bluefish and resident bass. For me, it’s been quiet back west, with most of my outings resulting in bluefish in the 3–5 lb class. There have been reports of bass being caught, but they are few and far between. Cotton Cordell pencils and mag darters are a staple in my bag this time of year as we begin to see the first big movement of baitfish—peanut bunker, mullet, or both. This is only the beginning and things will materialize quickly.”
Whitewater Outfitters reports: “The bass fishing is significantly better—the inlet, bridge, and open beaches are solid. Slots and overslots are plentiful. Tons of bait are present: anchovies, spearing, baby snapper, peanut bunker, and adult bunker. A good push of albies have made their way into the jetties. Boat guys are also crushing in and around the inlet. Bluefish are around, mostly small ones. There are still a few fluke in the bay and on the reef, and some anglers in the Peconics are picking at weakfish.”
Rockfish Charters reports: “This week was tough. The Yellowfin bite had been incredible, but we had to cancel most trips due to weather. The big boats that managed to get out crushed them on chunks and jigs. We managed one tuna trip but had to stay closer to land, releasing bluefin, but still came home with plenty of mahi and bonito. Tomorrow afternoon into Fri/Sat looks good and we’ll be fishing hard! We still have a couple tuna dates left and Oct/Nov bass trips are filling up fast.”
Derek (@Derek_Sucks_at_fishing) in eastern Long Island reports: “Albies have exploded from Shinnecock to Moriches! Bass are chomping mullet in the back bays. The inlets have a pick of bass and small blues. Tinker mackerel are on the beaches—BASS CANDY! I have a good feeling about this fall.”
Max Fineman (@finemanfishes) reports: “Fluke, snappers, triggers, albies, and bones have remained steady this week. We’ve seen a slight uptick in striped bass action around the inlets, mixed in with cocktail blues. Sea bass have been almost non-existent. We caught close to 30 albies on Sunday last time I was out!”
Bill Falco (@fishlongisland) at Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale reports: “Fluke reports are coming in hot this week! Lots of big fish are roaming the bays, with fish well into the 20-inch range being reported. Size up your presentation for your best shot at a doormat. Weakfish are starting to pop up alongside the fluke, hanging out in the same areas. For them, we use very light rod and reel setups with bright-colored soft plastics.
Pelagic fish rushed in and made themselves known the last few days. Tons of Spanish mackerel and a solid run of big albies are ripping the inlets and beaches. The classic Deadly Dick has been putting in overtime and producing the most catches. The inlets are red hot with pelagic fish and as many cocktail bluefish as you can handle. They’re eating everything in sight. A few striper reports have come in from the night shift crew—numbers are low and it’s a lot of casting, but darters and bucktails are starting to connect with some hungry bass. The fall run is happening any day now—we can feel it.”
Captain Doug Touback of Corazon Charters in Freeport reports: “Fluke fishing—go big or go home, fishing large baits and deep structure. The fish are definitely making a push out. Numbers will be down but size will be up. We are targeting big fish when weather allows, with success. The fall pelagics have also made an appearance, so there is fun to be had around that!”
Tim Rourke (@mtkpointflyfishing) in Montauk reports: “What started as a trickle of false albacore has turned into a tidal wave of albies. Montauk is experiencing some of the best albie fishing in years, with green bonito and large Spanish mackerel mixed in. Bigger striped bass are starting to appear as the water continues to cool.”
The Captree Fleet (@captreefleet) reports: “Ocean Fluke Bonito, albacore Sea Bass is still hot with boats limited out. By catch with Mackerel, Star gazer and trigger. conditions were perfect for ocean trips, and it looks like this week’s conditions are a go for our ocean reef and wreck trips. Bay Fishing for Fluke, Stripers and Blues have been hot with a nice 8.26lbs Fluke winning the boat pool. Our Fleet is currently running the Fall Schedule please check our members’ website for new sailing times.Everything you need to fish is right on the boat included in the fare at no extra cost. Gift certificates are available in-office or online and can be used on any member boat. The Fleet charter boats are already booking into 2026. Call 631-669-6464 or visit captreefleet.com.
Capt Scott Worth (@scott_worth) reports: “This week the albie fishing really picked up on the East End and we had some great trips. The fish really chewed well on spin and fly. My go to spin lure, the albie Snax, was difficult with the presence of shearwaters, but we got bit consistently on epoxy jigs and mostly evaded the birds.”
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Long Island & NYC Fishing Forecast
The fishing is hot—albie fishing has returned to eastern Long Island. What started as a trickle has turned into a mob of albies, and the best part is that the shore anglers are crushing it! Albies have moved onto the beaches of Montauk and Shinnecock. With a large amount of spearing around, these fish are hugging the jetties and going nuts on the right tide! Epoxy jigs and Albie Snax are producing. If you plan to walk the jetties, get there early to secure a good spot.
As for bass, there are plenty of fish moving around. In the deep western Sound, the bridges are giving up good fish on live bait, eels, and large plastics. In the middle of the Sound, there are plenty of bluefish and bass mobbing around deep-water channel currents and boulder fields. Finally, Montauk and Shinnecock are on fire. Most harbors and bays are loaded with bait ranging from spearing to adult bunker.
If you’re targeting bass, your nighttime bag should include rigged eels, yellow darters, metal lips, and gliders. Don’t be afraid to go big! Looking ahead, it’s almost time to mob the open beaches for the sandeel bite. Once those sandeels move in, we should see sustained daytime blitzes and epic nighttime bites!