Named after the convict-striped relative of the porgy that once thrived in New York’s waters, Sheepshead Bay is not your typical striper fishing hub—it’s not your typical seaside suburb either. The appeal of many striper towns derives from their maritime charm and bustling Main Street shops, but Sheepshead Bay is different. It has a uniquely gritty, yet welcoming urban coastal vibe that reflects the lifestyle of its working-class residents, who love and appreciate striped bass in the same way as Nantucketers and Newporters. Situated just west of Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn, and flanked by Rockaway Inlet to the south, this tight-knit community is a far cry from nearby “hipsterized” neighborhoods like Dumbo and Williamsburg. It doesn’t try to be flashy or trendy. Beneath the guise of high-rise apartment buildings is raw maritime character and a vibrant fishing scene all its own. It’s old New York at its finest.
Tucked behind the Belt Parkway is a small, but crowded marina that houses a fleet of sailboats, center consoles and charter boats that operate for nine months a year. Like Jamaica Bay during the spring striped bass migration, the waterfront hub of Emmons Avenue and Knapp Street is jumping with activity throughout New York’s peak fishing season. Beginning in April, party boats like Gypsea Charters—owned and operated by husband and wife Josh and Jess Rogers—run early spring blackfish trips until the striped bass season gets underway. By mid-May, the Gypsea II and Lil’ Gypsea split their time between private striper charters and open boat fluke trips. One of the most memorable (and downright American) striper outings I have ever experienced took place years ago on the Gypsea II, when my wife and I caught cow stripers in front of the Statue of Liberty on July 3. Other vessels that sail out of Sheepshead Bay, like the Ocean Eagle V—formerly captained by the late, great Greg Nardiello—focus exclusively on bottom fishing. When the Ocean Eagle galley is open on summer porgy trips, the crew will fillet your catch right there and fry up the freshest fish sandwich you will ever eat.
Just down the street from the docks on Emmons Avenue, you’ll find Bernie’s Bait and Tackle, where a staff of friendly and knowledgeable fishermen can help you navigate the rows of floor-to-ceiling striper plugs, tins, jigs, and soft plastics. Every March, during the Saltwater Fishing Expo in Edison, NJ, I visit the Bernie’s booth for their new limited-edition Daiwa Salt Pro Minnow pattern and to catch up with friends like Kevin Ryan, who owns Tog Candy Jigs and helped design the “Weekend at Bernie’s 3” pattern for 2026. Despite living in the most populous city on the Eastern Seaboard, the staff and regular customer base at Bernie’s bring a small-town feel to their corner of the Big Apple.
There is no shortage of high-end eateries in New York, but when in Sheepshead Bay, you’re better off stopping at a casual local joint. Randazzo’s Clam Bar, an old-fashioned Italian-style seafood restaurant, features a raw bar and a waterfront view. Whether you’re in the mood for chicken francese, a lobster roll, or fried galamad—the New York lingo for calamari—they’ve got it. If you’re on-the-go, as striper fishermen often are, swing by Roll-N-Roaster for a quick bite. This retro fast-food joint dishes out boardwalk-style favorites like fried shrimp cups, clam strips, and pickle chips to transient anglers daily.
Despite its inherent nautical nature, Sheepshead Bay is still very much a part of the Five Boroughs. Midtown Manhattan is less than an hour away via the B and Q subway lines, but residents get the best of both worlds. Coney Island is a 15-minute bike ride away, and just across Marine Parkway Bridge is Gateway National Recreation Area, which boasts miles of sand beaches that host excellent surf fishing for striped bass in May and June, and again from September through November.
When bunker pods press west along the South Shore of Long Island in the late fall, Sheepshead Bay is arguably busier than it is during the summer months—all in the name of striped bass. Chunk fishermen line up at Bernie’s to secure the freshest baits they can, the party boat docks harbor a feverish energy, and anglers of all skill levels envelop the neighboring beaches of Far Rockaway and Breezy Point, hoping to cross paths with a 50-pounder. Only a short list of fishermen has accomplished such a feat, but it’s hard to imagine a greater surfcasting pinnacle than releasing the fish of a lifetime beneath the unmistakable New York skyline. It is the prospect of a trophy striper, coupled with Sheepshead Bay’s undeniably fishy atmosphere, that keeps anglers coming back to this sleeper striper town year after year.
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