Long Island and NYC Fishing Report
North Shore
Captain Arthur Cortes of Cortes Outfitters (@cortes.outfitters) in NYC reports: “Fall run is in full swing, thanks to the arrival of sand eels in our area. From Breezy through the Rockaways, schools of fish are blitzing on sand eels and peanuts. In Jamaica Bay, the schoolies and slots are keyed in on peanut bunker. Our fly choice this week is an olive/white sand eel candy, and our lure of choice is a Daiwa SP Minnow in the sand eel pattern. Call 347-326-4750 or visit cortesoutfitters.com to make trip reservations.”
The Angler Fleet (@anglerfleet) out of Port Washington reports: “Despite some rough conditions this past week, we’ve continued to see steady action on the tog grounds. Plenty of shorts are keeping anglers busy, and several quality fish in the 5- to 7-pound range have hit the deck. As the weather settles and water temps drop, we’re expecting the bite to really fire up!”
Captain Skippy Charters out of Mount Sinai Harbor reports: “Keep your eyes out for birds and have your epoxy jigs and Deadly Dicks ready for hardtails and cocktail blues. It’s the best run in years. The topwater striped bass bite remains strong this week with fish ranging from schoolies to over 20 pounds hammering spooks and pencil poppers. We have been working with Grayfish tag giving anglers a unique opportunity to catch, tag, name, and release large striped bass all in the name of science. This week, I want to give a shout out to Rob, who caught a big bass that he tagged, released, and named “Jay”. The best time of the year is upon us with the opening of blackfish season last week! The tog bite started off strong in shallow water with plenty of life and keeper-size fish in the mix when you pick through shorts, sea bass and porgies. The bite will only get better as water temperatures drop. If you’re not togging, the porgy bite remains phenomenal and big sea bass are being caught in the deep. Captain Skippy Charters is currently running private 1-4 passenger mixed-bag trips mainly targeting blackfish and sea bass for the rest of the season.”
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Mark at Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle in Northport reports: “The tog bite is hot; shallow water has produced tons of shorts and solid keepers. There are mixed reviews on size — the fish range from shorts to 8 pounds and 10 to 15 feet of water is solid, however, guys are crushing fish in deep water as well. As the water temperatures cool off, the tog fishing should get better. The sea bass bite is also hot, and guys are crushing them in the Triangle. The bass bite is solid on the North Shore at night on plugs and live eels. The albie bite is slow, but it isn’t over yet, so we’ll see what happens. Visit cowharbortackle.com or call 631-239-1631.”
Sean Conway (@long_island_fishing_guy) reports: “Some larger fish are starting to roll through in the teen to upper-20-pound range. The bite in my spots still hasn’t been as good as previous years as far as quantity goes, but some quality fish have finally shown up, which is nice to see. The small bait remains thick. As you walk into the water you’ll begin to notice yourself being surrounded by spearing. Shine the light in any part of the water and it’s like popcorn. Bucktails that I tie have produced my bigger fish in faster moving water.”
South Shore
Captain Josh Rogers of Gypsea Charters out of Brooklyn reported: “Blackfishing has been providing plenty of action with loads of shorts and plenty of keepers in the mix this past week. Despite the wind, we have been seeing plenty of life in most areas we are fishing, with fish to 7 pounds. Aboard the Lil’ Gypsea, the fall striper bite is in full swing. Droves of fish have moved into the area, gorging on both sand eels and bunker. We have been diamond jigging them for the most part, but fishing live bait as well if available.” Give them a call to reserve your spot on the rail for an upcoming trip.
Scott Monahan (@bonesyfishing) on the South Shore reports: “The beaches have had waves of fish coming through. If you are lucky enough to be out as they pass, you’ll pick a few fish. The guys grinding the night shifts have been rewarded with some nice bass in the 40-inch class. The lack of bunker has more fish passing right by rather then feeding and staging in the area. This new moon has brought a new wave of fish, from slot-size to 36 inches, to my area. The bite is not what most anglers are accustomed to, but this next moon cycle should heat things up with more daytime bites now that sand eels are around. I found a great bite on the beach just one day after the new moon. My fish have been coming on the Joe Baggs Swarters and Long Cast resin jigs. Grind ’em till you find ’em. Catch ’em up!”
The Captree Fleet (@captreefleet) reports: “Porgies, bonito, and false albacore are still coming over the rail on our offshore trips. Fall striper trips are in full swing and we’re using a combination of live eels and jigs. We are keeping plenty of slot-size fish and releasing trophy fish to 40 pounds. As for bottom fishing, blackfish action has been steady with shorts and keepers up to 6 pounds. Please check the website for sailing times. Most of our fleet is limited capacity, so make your reservations online. Everything you need to fish is right on the boat included in the fare at no extra cost. Get your gift certificates, which are available to purchase in our office or online.”
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Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain around Long Island and NYC
Aaron Diener (@aarondiener) on the South Shore reports: “As many anglers have noticed, the sand eel bite has really picked up lately. Those early morning sunrise sessions can be especially rewarding—if you’re able to reach the schools in time. Diamond jigs and Joe Baggs Miracle Minnows have been particularly effective at enticing strikes. More and more fish seem to be arriving each day, and getting the timing right with the tides has become the key to success.”
Wulber Ruiz (@the_striper_hunt) reports: “I’ve been getting some nice fish on 8-inch pencils these past few days with only fish over 20 pounds hitting very aggressively during the hours around first light. There have been many blitzes going on as well on the south shore now that sand eels have moved in.”
Nick Cherkas (@surfcasting_the_island) reports: “The new moon of October proved to be a fruitful stretch of days that I planned months in advance. On some outings, I have questioned the grind while others were a reminder of why I kept showing up in the first place. As difficult as this fall has been, following patterns from prior seasons paid off and the saying “right place, right time” was truly an understatement. Stripers from high teens up to 30-pounds-plus have been common since the presence of bunker, weakfish and other large baits have appeared. In respect to the bite I honed in on, the nighttime ebb relative to deep drop offs proved to be the most productive areas where these fish were staging. As far as the day bite goes, sand eels have invaded, and the action has been great around first light while sporadic blitzes have been reported mid-day along various stretches of beach. As expected, needlefish and darters have ruled the night shift while diamond jigs, bucktails and poppers have taken fish during the daylight hours. As we progress to the first moon of November, I expect to see a strong batch of fish invade the south shore beaches in the “cookie cutter” to slot-size range. Until then, let’s enjoy the quality of fish and hope that it’s not short-lived.”
Nick at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays reports: “A bunch of bass moved in on the beach, from slot-size to 40 pounds. It’s been pretty damn good on boats and in the surf. Albies were here but it slowed down a bit, so hopefully they come back. The blackfish bite locally hasn’t been too good. Most of the deeper reefs get started later in the season. The north shore, however, has been solid for tog.”
Captain Peter Douma (@doum_flies) of Windward Outfitters in Montauk reports: “Unfortunately, after last week’s blow things slowed down here in Montauk. Pockets of bass have pushed in, but it can be tough. The boats trolling have been getting them, and I’ve had some success dropping sinking fly lines with sand eel patterns down deep. Still, even compared to last year this has been a very slow fall for bass here. With water temps still hovering around the mid 60’s, and enough bait to feed them for weeks, I’m optimistic that it will turn on. Plenty of fish are still in the back bays too. The albies haven’t totally left us either. Very small, short blitzes have been popping up. It’s a tough bite, but if you’re patient and get close on a drift they’re very catchable. We are still even seeing some nice bonito feeds, albeit brief ones, around slack water. Last year, November was our only albie bite, and it was incredible, so I would not be surprised if history repeated itself again with a strong November albie run.”
Captain Scott Worth of North Fork Light Tackle Charters reports: “It’s been difficult to find weather windows during and after the nor’easter, but we managed to land some tricky albies that we chased around the east end. The albies have definitely been hard to find after the blow. Bass have been blowing up large bait on the surface and we’ve taken advantage! Hoping for a big weekend ahead with dropping water temps and calmer winds.”
The Author’s Experience
Last night I hit the South Shore in search of some big fish. With a nice sweep and beautiful shore-breaking waves, I dipped my feet in the water and worked my needlefish slowly. While I didn’t get a touch, my buddy Andrew hooked up on his third cast on a Super Strike darter. While the fish brought us hope, within minutes, mats of seaweed and surface gunk developed in the area. It made working plugs difficult and ineffective.
Shortly thereafter, Andrew and I blasted back to the North Shore to fish some dock lights. We went to a familiar spot that we’ve been fishing for years and as we pulled up, we could see fish in the lights. Andrew threw a Clouser while I chucked a small glider. Although the fish weren’t large, we cleaned up. I had fish to 32 inches and Andrew had fish to 30 inches with tons of “rats” mixed in. A fish is a fish, and I’m happy with any size.
With the fall run really ramping up, I think I’m going to be moving my boat to New Jersey for bass and ghost tuna to extend the season. It’s time to kick it into high gear.
Long Island & NYC Fishing Forecast
Based on reports from multiple sources, an hour before dark into sunrise is the best time to capitalize on the sand eel blitzes that are taking place on the South Shore of the island. A couple lures that should always be in your bag during the day include, diamond jigs, Joe Baggs Swarters, Tsunami Sand Eels, and epoxy jigs. After dark, you can’t go wrong with a Super Strike darter, Scabelly glider, or needlefish.
In the Sound, there are less albies rolling around but they’re being replaced by bass. The North Shore beaches have plenty of bait, including peanut bunker, sand eels, spearing, and bay anchovies. A strong north wind should activate a wicked bass bite on the North Fork. Migratory bass seem to love the waters around Orient and Plum Gut, so check it out the next time it’s blowing heavy.
As for tog, it seems like it’s a season for the books. Guys are getting them in shallow water ranging from 3 to 17 feet on jigs. That said, as the water gets cooler, you’ll have to adapt to deep-water techniques. Soon, the fish should be sliding into 20 to 35 feet and deeper. This is a good time to switch out the jig rod for your heavier conventional outfits, but if you like fishing a jig, boost the weight to account for depth and current speed.