Long Island, Metro NY - Long Island Surf Fishing Reports

Bob from Bob’s Bait and Tackle reported plenty of small bluefish working around the Sore Thumb and Democrat Point, with the fish readily taking small poppers, tins and other compact offerings. Fluking has also remained solid in those same areas, along with Cedar Beach, where bucktails tipped with Gulp continue to produce. Along the open beaches, sharks are still providing steady action for anglers soaking chunk baits.

Rich from Dick’s B&T said bluefish and albies have been running through Moriches Inlet, with blues ranging from about 2 to 9 pounds. He also heard of some better fluke coming from the rocks along the west side of the inlet, while triggerfish are still hanging around the jetty. Sharks remain available along the open beach at Smith Point, and Rich mentioned that bonito have also pushed into the inlet at times, giving shore casters another speedy target. Snapper fishing remains good from the local docks in the Narrows, with the occasional fluke also mixing into the dockside catches.

Pablo from J&J Sports in Patchogue reported excellent fluke fishing along the backside of Moriches Inlet, with bucktails tipped with Gulp accounting for plenty of fish. Some larger bluefish have also moved into the inlet and are hitting tins and bucktails, while fluke continue to be caught along the Smith Point stretch on similar bucktail-and-Gulp combinations. The Patchogue docks are holding bigger snappers, with some now measuring better than 12 inches, and blowfish are chewing clam baits fished along the bottom. Pablo also heard of a few fluke being caught around the Sandspit and Blue Point docks.

Mike at Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip said the full lineup of surf pelagics is still hanging around the mouth of Fire Island Inlet. Bonito, false albacore and Spanish mackerel have all been making appearances, giving casters plenty of fast-moving targets when conditions line up. Some larger bluefish are mixed in as well, while fluke continue to be picked from the shoreline inside the inlet at Democrat Point, the Sore Thumb, the OBI dock and the Captree docks.

Phil from Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle reported plenty of cocktail bluefish and snappers throughout the harbor, keeping light-tackle anglers busy. The Eatons Neck area has been producing larger blues to around 8 pounds, while schoolie stripers are showing after dark along the Sound beaches in the Huntington and Northport areas. A few weakfish have also been caught after dark along those same stretches, adding another option for anglers fishing the evening tides.

Up on the western North Shore, Blaise from Duffy’s Bait & Tackle in Glenwood Landing reported that porgy fishing has picked up along the western Sound beaches. Anglers working clam and worm baits have been finding more consistent action, and he has also heard of some striped bass beginning to show after dark from those same beaches. Chunk baits have been accounting for some of the nighttime bass action.

Jim at Miller Place Bait and Tackle on the North Shore said bluefish and striped bass have been active in the back of the harbor, where small poppers have been producing well. Fluke are being caught around the inlet area, while weakfish have been showing near the mouth of the inlet. Porgy fishing has also remained dependable from both the dock and beach at Cedar, with clam and worm baits getting the job done.

From WeGo Bait and Tackle on the North Fork, they reported schoolie striped bass around the Orient Point area, along with bluefish holding around many of the major North Fork points. Porgy fishing remains widespread along the Sound beaches, providing dependable action for anglers fishing bait along the bottom. As of the latest reports, there has not been much in the way of false albacore activity yet, but anglers are keeping watch as more hardtails continue to spread around the Island.

Scott over at East End Bait and Tackle reported a solid number of bluefish holding inside Shinnecock Inlet. False albacore have also been running through on certain tides, with fish showing along both the east and west sides of the inlet. When the bait and current come together, anglers have been getting quick shots at the fast-moving schools.

Ken over at Tight Lines Tackle on the South Fork reported fluke to around 4 pounds coming from the rocks around Shinnecock, along with strong numbers of bonito, Spanish mackerel and some false albacore. Bluefish are also holding in the inlet, and one standout bonito reportedly weighed around 8 pounds after being landed from the rocks. Farther east, the town beaches in Montauk have been producing striped bass from sunset into dark for anglers throwing tins and bucktails. Ken also heard reports of sharks striking plugs along the Southampton stretch, adding another interesting wrinkle to the open-beach action.

Bryce from White Water Outfitters said bluefish have been moving through Shinnecock Inlet on most tides, providing fairly consistent action. False albacore, Spanish mackerel and bonito have also been making good showings inside the inlet, creating a mixed-bag fishery for casters throwing metals and small epoxy-style offerings. Fluke are beginning to stage along the back corners of the inlet, where they are picking off bait being swept through with the current. Bryce has also started hearing reports of striped bass feeding along some of the shorelines inside the bay, an encouraging sign as the fall pattern continues to develop.