Long Island, Metro NY - Long Island Surf Fishing Reports

Bob from Bob’s Bait and Tackle let me know nothing on the open beach yet but the back areas are loaded with schoolie stripers everywhere including the pier at Tanner Park, any of the docks in Amityville and all of the local creeks. Worms have been the number one choice for the bait fishermen while small popping plugs from Yo-Zuri and soft plastics in the 4-inch range have been the best bets for those looking to use artificials.

Brenden from Captree Bait and Tackle checked in saying the shop is not open yet but he did hear of some striper action from the docks by his shop on sandworms and smaller soft plastics.

Pablo from J&J Sports in Patchogue reported another week of his customers picking away at small stripers from the local docks in Patchogue and Blue Point. One of his regulars came in and said “top of the tide and soft plastics” hooked him into a handful of smaller bass last week. Pablo also knew of some blackfish caught from the shore over at Mt. Sinai on clams and green crabs.

Mike at Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip let me know aside from the ongoing bit on the west end of the island, he did know of some smaller striper on the north side of the bay, near the shop. The docks in Islip and Lindenhurst were a good choice for connecting with a few fish in the morning or evening. Soaking sandworms on the bottom was a good choice but casting and retrieving NLBN soft plastics or anything similar proved to have good success as well.

Carmine from Campsite Sport Shop told me the back of Oyster Bay and Huntington Harbor had fish to about 34 inches this past week. He knew SP Minnows were working well for the guys working from the shoreline and the top of the tide was the preference.

Phil from Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle reported Centerport having a nice populations of schoolie stripers showing up at the top of the tide. Northport also had fish to about 33 inches. Five-inch paddletails rigged on jigheads got the nod for the fish in the back of the harbor. Yo-Zuri Mag Darters pulled in their share of stripers as well.

Up on the western North Shore, Blaise from Duffy’s Bait & Tackle in Glenwood Landing reported that the stripers inside Hempstead Harbor cooperated again last week. Bombers, SP Minnows and Yo-Zuri plugs were the top choices for surf fishermen while bunker and sandworms were the choices for the bait guys. He knew of a slightly better tog bite developing near the jetty by the shop. Sandworms and green crabs both netted some fish.

Jim at Miller Place Bait and Tackle on the North Shore told me some smaller stripers kept the shore anglers busy in the back of Mt. Sinai Harbor on smaller popper from Yo-Zuri while the jetty in front of the harbor was hosting a decent pick of blackfish on clams, sandworms and green crabs.

Scott over at East End Bait and Tackle reported that he’s hearing of some smaller striper sin the back of Shinnecock Bay chasing down smaller swimming plugs and soft plastics.

Mike at Bernie's Bait and Tackle reported good shorebound tog fishing near the Verrazano Bridge and the local piers near the shop. Green crabs have been the prime bait for them but sandworms and clams will pick away at fish as well. For the stripers they reported good shots of them near Floyd Bennet and back by the airport. Great Kills in Staten Island has some good shore fishing after dark. The stripers are in thick and “just about anything is working for them” says the crew from the shop.