Long Island and NYC Fishing Report
The Angler Fleet (@anglerfleet) out of Port Washington reports: “We have plenty of bait in the area, and the stripers are everywhere and starting to act like it’s fall. The blackfish have been moving deeper, but we’re still seeing a very good bite, with plenty of season left to come in the western Sound.”
Mark at Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle (@cowharbortackle) in Northport reports: “This week there’s a lot of squid around, and guys are still doing really well on blackfish. Plenty of bass remain in the harbors, and they’re showing at sunrise and sunset on the Sound beaches. The harbor has been hot, and live-lining squid is a killer method. We still have porgies around, too. We did hear about albies way east of us, so they still seem to be around!”
Captain Doug Toback of Corazon Fishing Charters (@corazonfishing) out of Freeport reports: “Bass fishing is now off-the-charts good! Everything is working: bait, jigs, mojos. We’re getting multiple hookups at once when the bite is going off. It’s still about the big fish, but there’s a hint of slots starting to move in. Quick CPR (Catch/Pic/Release) is in full swing. The giant bluefin are also starting to make an appearance, and we’ll start targeting them this coming week!”
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Captain Adrian Moeller of Rockfish Charters (@rockfishcharters) out of Queens reports: “Finally, our fall fishing is going the way it’s supposed to! All the bass you want to catch with a side of bluefin, and great weather to boot. It doesn’t get any better than that. The only downsides are too many boats and way too many dogfish, but if you cover some ground, you can find a good bite to yourself that’s not sharked out. We have two tuna dates left for 2026. Grab them at rockfishcharters.com or call 347-661-4501.”
Captain Jess Rogers of Gypsea Charters (@gypseacharters) out of Brooklyn reports: “The fall run is in full swing! The striped bass bite has broken wide open, while the blackfishing has been excellent as well. Slots, unders, and overs up to 49 inches have been caught on our boats in the last week, to go along with blackfish limits up to 8 pounds. It’s shaping up to be an excellent fall, and we have limited availability remaining!”
Bill Falco at Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle (@chasingtailsbait) in Oakdale reports: “Blackfish season is going strong in local waters. There are plenty of good fish left in the usual spots, and the sharpies are pulling some solid fish in the 6- to 8-pound range. Lots of quality sea bass are mixed in with them on the wrecks and rock piles, crunching crabs and slurping clams. Striper-wise, it’s been killer for the boat guys this week, with big schools of fish popping up on the pods of bait. Toss a popper, an SP, or an NLBN in there and you’re on! Live bunker is, of course, doing very well, and the fish love a live eel this time of year. It’s been really sporadic in the surf: one night we’re crushing them, and the next there’s nothing around. You need to stick and move to find the bite. The old adage ‘You gotta be there when they’re there’ is holding true this season. Darters, metal lips, big plastics, and bottle plugs have been pulling the good ones when they’re around.”
Scott Monahan (@bonesyfishing) reports: “The bite the South Shore beaches has been anything but great. Week-long storms pushed most of our shore fish to Jersey. The most consistent shore bite has been just before first light on sandbars holding sand eels. The occasional school of bass will come in tight on sand eels, but the arriving schools seem to be holding out of casting range on the bunker pods. I normally keep long-casting plugs in my bag this time of year—pencils, Skippers, & bottles. Always scouting for life and the closest body of fish, hoping they pin the bait along the shore, which normally takes place from sunrise to late morning, with another chance before sunset. Being out there and following the life is your best bet to encounter a shore blitz. Keep grinding and putting in the time—there’s plenty of season left.”
Captain Rob of North Fork Adventures Charters (@northforkadventurescharters) out of Southold reports: “Blackfishing is amazing with this weather. Lighter tides and warm water still have the fish shallow. The short-to-keeper ratio is still high, but you’ll catch your keepers if you put the time in. I was out today with two guys, and we managed six keepers in two drops.”
Captain Pete Douma (@doum_flies) of Windward Outfitters out of Montauk reports: “Aside from the sheer lack of bass here this fall, one of the most frustrating things has been the inconsistency. You fish a couple of days and see a pattern forming, and then it’s just over. That was very much the case this week, but we were able to find some. For the most part, the fish stayed tight to shore, pushing sand eels, anchovies, and peanuts into the rocks, so the surfcasters actually had the advantage. Some days it was better on one tide, the next day it’s the opposite. Some days it was good early; other days it was midday. Beyond the bass, there are still loads of squid and mackerel around (because nothing’s eating them). We’ve also had some tuna within five miles. They’re mostly giants, but if you look around, there are rec fish to be had. The best news of the week, though, is the return of the albies. Big ones chasing halfbeaks and peanuts have come back inshore. No idea how long this will last, but it’s good now.”
Captain Mike Larson of Trophy Hunter Montauk Charters (@trophy_hunter_montauk_charters) reports: “The Trophy Hunter was fishing east and north of Montauk, getting in on the white-chin tautog and jumbo sea bass action. Sad to say the boat has since been hauled out for some mechanical upgrades, but she’ll be back in the spring better than ever. Not one to sit at home, I’ve been surf fishing every day and catching stripers to 37 inches, with some large shad mixed in. The go-to lures have been the JYG 4-inch paddletail in Dirty Dinero (money) color, Run Off Lures sand eel tins in 2 or 3 ounces, the NLBN green paddletail, and 1-ounce white bucktails. For the night bite on dark nights, I’ve been using the Super Strike red-and-black darter, which has been catching the larger fish. Stop by the Montauk Anglers Club tackle shop; they’re fully stocked with Super Strike, NLBN, and more.”
Long Island & NYC Fishing Forecast
This past week I hit the South Shore, and it did not disappoint. The fish were raging on top, crushing bunker for the first hour of daylight. They seemed to love any surface lure you could throw at them, from pencil poppers to metal lips and glides. My go-tos have been the Stack Tackle pencil, the Surface Freak, and the Carroll’s Custom glide.
When the fish aren’t actively chasing down bunker, the old-fashioned way of live-lining a bunker delivers stellar results. Wait for the thump, let the fish run, point the rod at it, flip your bail, and reel hard into the fish to set the circle hook properly. A lot of the fish on the bunker schools eating live-lined baits seem to be larger than the ones raging on the surface.
On the blackfish front, the Sound has plenty of big tog waiting to eat a green crab. With water temps slowly cooling, the tog will soon leave the shallows and make their way into 30 feet or more. While jigs work well, you can’t go wrong dropping a rig as the fish slide deeper. Cut your crab in half, thread it onto the hook through the leg socket, and wait for the right thump before setting the hook. The largest tog will typically pick up the jig or rig and slowly swim away with it. Patience is key.
On the topic of striped bass, these fish seem to love a west wind or a light north. Pay attention to the conditions, and go out there and get ’em.