Long Island and NYC Fishing Report
Brandon Weitz at Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh reports: “The bluefin bite has really picked up in the last week or so. Pretty close to home as well. Its seems like the fish found some bait and settled in. You can pretty catch them using all types of methods, trolling, jigging, popping, dead sticking UVT chiefs, RonZ, and even live bait fishing. The amount of squid out there is insane, drop a squid jig down and you’re going to hook them. Send it out on a circle hook to the bottom and the bluefin have been going crazy for them. We went 4/4 on bluefin using live squid—one 50-inch, one 44-inch, and 2 smaller fish we released.
The fluke fishing has been picking up pretty good as well, still a ton of really small fish but lots of keepers in the mix. As well as some cocktail bluefish have showed up. There are no shortage of sharks and rays if you’re fishing the local beaches as well. We still have plenty of fishing to go this season, so get out and catch some fish!”
Mark at Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport reports: “Some nice stripers up to 45 inches are being caught on live bait, and small schools of bunker have shown up in the Sound. If you can’t find bunker, live spot and eels have been great choices for bass. As far as beach fishing goes, porgies are plentiful. Guys fishing from shore are outfishing the boat guys. Fluke fishing has also been a great option from shore. While keepers are hard to come by, there are plenty of shorts.”
Captain Jess Rogers of Gypsea Charters out of Brooklyn reports: “Very good fluke fishing continues! We have been fishing the ocean, bay, and harbor depending on what Mother Nature throws at us. All areas have been fishing the same, with the harbor producing some nicer quality but less action. We are still seeing limit catches by some anglers on all trips and the pool fish has been going in the 5- to 7-pound range. This next moon phase should have the big ones hungry!” Give the Gypsea a call to reserve a spot on the rail and catch some big fluke on the west end of the island.
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Aqualina Charters (@aqualinacharters) out of Moriches Bay reports: “The last couple trips have seen quality keepers to 24-plus inches and up to 6 pounds. Fishing in the bay on the right part of the tide with good conditions has been very productive, and when we have nice ocean conditions, we have had some solid fish outside as well on the local grounds. It should only get better in the coming weeks, and we will be going on some longer-range trips as well.”
Bill Falco at Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle (@chasingtailsbait) in Oakdale reports: “More good fluke reports coming in the shop this week. Seems like the consensus is there are tons of fish to catch, just not tons of keepers. Still, limits are possible and happening locally. If you’re on the shorts for a few drifts, head to another spot and give that a go. Our shop rigs tipped with the classic squid and spearing combo or some Gulp Swimming Mullets seems to be a favorite of both fish and fishermen. On the reefs and wrecks, they’re catching sea bass, porgy, and some fluke too. The tuna bite is back on, and poppers and jigs are the go-to lures right now. Side Trackers will always put them in the boat too. At the docks, snappers are showing up, and so are plenty of blue claw crabs! Tons of fun for the whole family, and the shop is stocked with everything you need!”
Captain Adrian Moeller of Rockfish Charters (@rockfishcharters) out of Moriches reports: “Our tuna season is settling in nicely, and we’ve gone the past five days straight landing fish from 40 to 400 pounds. There are a few bites around, and most days we’re doing a mix of jigging and live squid fishing. The highlight of the week was a giant bluefin that ate a 5-inch paddletail and took four hours to land on the lightest rod on the boat with a 14K Stella! Murphy’s Law, haha. While these bluefin are a ton of fun, we’re already looking forward to the yellowfin showing up, and the consensus seems to be that they should start filtering in on this next moon. We still have some prime September and October yellowfin charter dates left. If it’s anything like last season, it’s going to be a banger.”
Captain Scott Worth out of Greenport reports: “We continued to focus on the midshore bluefin tuna bite, with fish still blitzing on sand eels and starting to mix in better with the whales and dolphins. The tuna overall were less picky than weeks prior, as we had some fish hit poppers when they were mixed with dolphins. The 8-inch NLBN Straight Tail has been the ticket for casting into feeding fish or throwing into dolphins and letting it sink a few seconds before the retrieve. We’re anxious to get back out there for the next weather window.”
Captain Mike Larson of Trophy Hunter Charters in Montauk reports: “Customers are jigging up lots of sea bass, big porgies, bluefish, and mackerel on both tides. The sporadic tuna bite has picked up in local midshore areas, so if you’re interested in booking a fun fishing trip, give us a call. All levels welcome, all gear provided.”
Capt. Pete Douma (@doum_flies) of Windward Outfitters out of Montauk reports: “Not the greatest weather this week, but we got out when we could. The bluefish bite seems to be heating up inshore. A mix of sizes, and sometimes picky fish, but as long as you have some current they’re happy to eat. Sometimes birds are the giveaway, but keep your eyes open for big, tailing ones cruising the shallows close to shore. The resident bass bite can be tough, but they are around. Stick to nighttime around structure with bigger flies or lures, and you’ll find them. The incoming has been best. Watch out for the sharks, though, as they have been readily eating caught bass. On the tuna grounds, a jig bite seems to be forming. There is tons of bait and life locally, and some eager fish. Jigs (Chatter Streakers and Daiwa SKs have been the best for me) and dead-sticked Ron-Zs and Super Snax in the mud have been the most productive for me. We just aren’t seeing the surface feeds that have been around to the west. But with the amount of bait and finally good temps, we’ll hopefully see them soon.”
The Author’s Experience
This week I hit the bluefin tuna grounds. If I’m not chasing tuna, I’m pretty much not fishing at this point. That said, the full moon created a tough bite. I found plenty of life, such as tuna chicks, dolphins, and whales; however, the fish seemed scattered. A few marks came through the screen throughout the day, but it wasn’t enough to make for a jig bite. I did end up going 0 for 2 on tuna—one bit the NLBN, and another chased the Clobber Company Surface Freak.
I believe once we get past this moon, the fish should set up in their usual summer haunts. The tuna fishing has been fickle this year. The patterns are certainly different, and adaptation is key to staying on these fish. Last year’s patterns don’t hold, unfortunately.
Long Island & NYC Fishing Forecast
Looking ahead, it’s pretty much August, which means albie season is coming in a month! Yes, one month at most. Doesn’t that sound crazy?! While we have plenty of fluke season left, it’s a great time to think ahead. Prepare your jigs, soft plastics, and light spinning setups with fresh braid!
If you’re looking for a quick and fun local bite, hit your nearest rocky beach with a jighead and some clams or Gulp. There are plenty of porgies around the island, from the North Shore beaches to South Shore jetties. A light spinning rod and 3000- or 4000-size reel paired with a quarter-ounce jighead, 10-pound braid, and 20-pound fluoro leader is a fun and easy way to catch some fish for the table in the summer. Pitch your jig into the boulders and wait for the familiar taps!