Long Island and NYC Fishing Report
Captain Kenny Schmitt of the Angler Fleet (@anglerfleet) in Port Washington reports: “Our water temperatures are slowly creeping to the prime zone, but the blackfish bite hasn’t happened quite yet. With the bunker coming into the bay, the striper fishing is heating up.”
Mark at Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle in Northport reports: “It seems like the western sound is heating up and the fishing is getting good. The tog bite is still slow, but guys are buying crabs and the fishing should be hot soon with this warm weather. It’s slow locally, but the bass fishing is good to the west.”
Wulber Alberto Ruiz (@the_striper_hunt) reports: “Dark-colored plugs like purple, or chrome with purple, and a flag have been the ticket for me on a very slow retrieve. I’ve also had some good luck with Gravity Tackle’s 9.5-inch soft plastic eels. With the new moon coming, it’s shaping up to be one of the best spring runs yet.”
Colin McElroy (@colintmcelroy) reports: “Bass are showing in their usual spring haunts. Live bunker has been the ticket when marking them from boats. Some shore casters are getting fish on swim shads and various plugs, and there’s even a fly bite once in a while. Higher temps are just improving everything day by day.”
Justin Braun at Port Tackle (@porttacklecompany) in Port Jefferson reports: “We are a week and change out from our Grand Opening, but the shop is currently open for business! We have all the tackle you need from inshore to offshore gear. The bite locally will be heating up with this warm weather. As a reminder, our grand opening party starts at 12 PM and ends at 6 PM on Saturday the 25th.”
Andrew Bernat (@tactical_bassin26) reports: “Just like the flip of a light switch, the striped bass bite along the North Shore of Long Island has roared back to life. A dramatic overnight warmup with air temperatures holding above 60°F after dark has stabilized water temperatures back into that critical 50- to 55-degree range, effectively jump starting the early spring pattern that had briefly stalled during the previous cold snap. With that return to favorable conditions, bait has followed suit. Adult bunker schools have begun filtering back into the back bays, harbors, and tidal creeks, and with them, the bass have repositioned aggressively.
The turnaround from last week has been nothing short of a complete reversal. Areas that felt lifeless just days ago are now holding active bait and feeding fish. The key shift has been the presence of larger forage. Where small spearing and killies once dictated a finesse approach, the influx of bunker has opened the door for a much bigger profile bite. Accordingly, larger presentations have been producing consistently. Glide baits like the Stride and Sol have been especially effective when worked methodically through staging areas, while slow-rolling the largest size floating SP Minnow just inches below the surface has proven to be a reliable search bait, drawing explosive strikes in low-light conditions. Surface-oriented swimmers are also coming into play. Center-weighted metal lips such as a Slim Danny, along with the floating Magic Swimmer, are moving water well and getting noticed in the sweep, particularly when fished across current seams.
Location is everything. Anglers dialing in this bite are focusing on moving water—specifically, areas with defined sweep. Outflows, channel edges, and bends where current accelerates are concentrating both bait and bass. If you find the bunker, the stripers are not far behind.
With the caliber of bait now present, the size class of fish has noticeably improved. While schoolies are still in the mix, a steady push of fish in the 20- to 30-pound class has entered the system, with a solid average in the 8- to 9-pound range. This uptick in size makes upgrading terminal tackle a necessity rather than an option. Fluorocarbon leaders in the 40- to 50-pound class are now the standard, offering the abrasion resistance needed when casting to larger fish around structure.
If conditions hold, this bite should only continue to build. The foundation is now in place: stable temperatures, committed bait, and active fish. And for anglers willing to put in the time around moving water, the North Shore is shaping up for a strong and very consistent spring run.”
Scott Monahan (@bonesyfishing) reports: “The spring run has begun! After a cold March with very few fish feeding, it has turned on in April. Warmer water and consistent bites. You must put your time in during the spring to recognize the patterns. Once you find that sweet spot pattern, you’re able to put a nice catch together. The day bites are slowing in the LI Sound; nighttime seems to be more productive this moon cycle. South Shore beaches are showing great signs of big bait. I’m expecting some big front line fish to stage around inlets and beaches. The bait is here for them. JoeBaggs Swarters have been automatic for me, working them with pops, twitches, and pauses. Other anglers are catching on soft plastics & other swimming plugs as well. Fish will be showing up on the beaches more each day with this moon cycle. Put in the work, enjoy every moment, and catch ’em up!”
Aqualina Charters in Moriches Bay reports: “We’re looking forward to the 2026 fluke season opening up in May. We’ll start fishing the “skinny water” in Moriches Bay using ultra-light gear. As the season moves on, we will be offering ocean fluke/sea bass trips on local wrecks and hard bottom, and will also be making some special east end trips in search of doormats. We are fully equipped with a Minn-Kota trolling motor, custom rods by Lookout Customs for the bay and ocean, and locally-made jigs by Anytime Tackle . Gulp, bait, ice all included. Top of the line electronics, radar, and night vision, too. Some prime dates are still left; we can take 1-6 passengers.”
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Nick Cherkas (@surfcasting_the_island) reports: “It’s been a fruitful past couple days in my neck of the woods. As many of us have been longing for spring after a relentless winter, those who were able get out recently have been greeted with the first signs of the spring “run”. Despite my schedule constraints, nighttime seems to be the right time, and the darker the plug, the better. I’d imagine the day shift angler can score as well given the right conditions. Expect fish to be anywhere from schoolie-size up to about high teens or low 20s. This upcoming moon, I expect to see the current body of fish move out and, potentially, a larger body of fish move in, in terms of both size and quantity.”
Desmond Scanlan (@gracious_depths) reports: “Striper fishing has been hot in the Western Sound. The warm days did the water temps justice and the fish chewed heavy on the top of the slack into the outgoing. While the SP worked well, I crushed bass on an Uncle Moe’s Tackle chartreuse fluke ball head paired with an NLBN. The bite seems to be getting better and better.”
Bill Falco (@fishlongisland) at Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle in Oakdale reports: “The freshwater action is still the talk of the town, but a few striper-hungry mad men have been making the pilgrimage out to the dirty Jerz. Worth it? Definitely. The bite is hot and it’s a good telling for what’s heading this way. The western beaches are starting to see a little trickle of fish. Western North Shore guys have been able to hit a few as well. In my neck of the woods, it’s a lot of schoolies and holdovers that are starting to make waves. Bunker is all over the place and they’re going to get destroyed this season. In the lakes, we have stocked trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, pickerel and all sorts of panfish. Paddletail swimbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits for the bass, walleye, and picks. Trout are crushing Kastmasters and inline spinners, and dough baits and worms are always a good choice, too. Panfish are going to be all over that same setup.”
Sean Conway (@long_island_fishing_guy) reports: “Last night we got into them pretty good at the start of last light. I spent my time fishing the North Shore with Andrew Bernat (@tactical_bassin26). There was tons of bait around between bunker and spearing. All of my fish came on a 3-inch Scabelly glider. Andrew had them on the glider and SP Minnow. When they hit it felt like they were tiny fish, then you’d set the hook and it would end up being a slot. Andrew hooked a demon fish that had him running a marathon trying to get it off pilings and rocks. Luckily, the fish came to hand. It was certainly huge.”
The Author’s Experience
Things are about to bust wide open. There are fish creeping into the South Shore of the island, where the inlets and beaches are getting the first push of migratory fish. Again, minnow style plugs are a safe bet. We should also see a large push of gator blues on the South Shore within the next week or so—they’re already in Jersey. These yellow-eyed demons love a west wind, so head down to the open beach, bomb some pencil poppers out, and cover some water. You should find a few willing participants. If the fish aren’t cooperating on top, tins are also fantastic choices.
I believe the backside of the new moon should be epic. The temps are right and the bait is around, fresh fish are trickling in, and some large holdovers are chewing. I prefer night tides over day tides for big fish. There’s nothing quite like a 2 AM session on the beach or in the back bay!
It’s great to be back. I’m excited to continue hammering fish this new moon.
Long Island & NYC Fishing Forecast
Water temps went up, fish are on the chew, and they are loving minnow-style plugs such as SPs and Mag Darters. I’ve heard rumblings of pencil popper fish deep in the Western Sound. I think we are finally over the spring hump. The warm weather did our water temperatures justice by warming up the back bays and mud flats. I’m also hearing that jumbo spearing and adult bunker are moving in heavy. If you hear bunker slapping the water, it’s a great time to throw on a shallow-swimming metal lip. When working these plugs, slow and steady is best. They can be frustrating to throw as they often tangle in the air, but the key is to make your cast and slowly cup your spool before the plug hits the water, which allows the plug to land straight without tangling. Once the metal lip plops down, allow the plug to sit for 5 or 6 seconds until the ripples from the splash settle. Next, simply retrieve in a smooth steady motion. If you want to make your metal lip run deeper, grab a pair of pliers and bend the eye (the line tie, not the lip itself) upwards. The further the line tie is bent upwards, the deeper it runs.
It’s the new moon which means exacerbated tides, stronger currents, and happy fish. Water temps are up, and the back bays should be on fire. I prefer dark patterns such as blurple, black, and dark olive on the new moon.