Long Island, Metro NY - Long Island Surf Fishing Reports

Bob from Bob’s Bait and Tackle reported that the fall striped bass run is in full swing, with fish weighing up to 40 pounds being caught along the South Shore. Democrat Point, Cedar Beach and Robert Moses have all been producing consistent action, while additional reports of solid fishing have come from the western beaches and Jones Inlet. The nighttime bite has been especially productive for larger fish, although plenty of bass are being caught during daylight hours as well. Diamond jigs paired with teasers, bucktails and swimming plugs have all been effective, giving surfcasters several options depending on conditions and the bait present.

Rich from Dick’s Bait and Tackle reported that striped bass are spread throughout the Smith Point shoreline, from the inlet westward and continuing along the beaches of Fire Island National Seashore. Many of the fish being encountered are above the legal slot limit, providing excellent catch-and-release action for surfcasters. Frank Pero landed a 22-pound striper in front of FINS on a diamond jig, while Bruce Roman connected with a similar-sized fish in the same general area, also using a diamond jig. Bucktails, SP Minnows, Mag Darters and Hydro Minnows have all been producing, with the bass feeding on a variety of baitfish. Rich also heard that bottle plugs have been especially productive after dark, when some of the larger fish have been moving into the wash. Anglers willing to cover some beach and locate concentrations of bait have been finding the most consistent action.

Pablo from J&J Sports in Patchogue reported excellent fall striped bass fishing throughout the Shinnecock and Moriches areas. The ocean beaches east of both inlets have been producing quality fish on swimming plugs and jigs, while the inlets themselves have been seeing periodic shots of bass during both daytime and nighttime tides. Soft plastics and jigs have been particularly effective when fish are feeding in the moving water. One shop customer, Joe, landed a striper approaching 40 pounds while fishing alongside Pablo one evening. Pablo has also been getting into plenty of action himself, catching numerous stripers ranging from 12 to 25 pounds. With bait moving through the area and more fish arriving, the fall run is shaping up nicely across the eastern South Shore.

Mike at Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip reported that the fall striped bass surf bite has really taken off, with bunker schools being pushed tight to the beaches and bass feeding heavily on them. Diamond jigs have been producing during the day, with fish reported from Moriches west through Jones Inlet and Long Beach. After dark, larger bass have been responding well to metal-lipped swimmers and darters, with some fish exceeding the 40-pound mark. Mike noted that many of the bass are also feeding on snapper bluefish and weakfish, making larger-profile offerings a good choice. Inside Fire Island Inlet, the nighttime bite has been particularly good, with anglers finding success on SP Minnows, bottle plugs and darters as fish move through with the tide.

Phil from Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle reported good numbers of schoolie striped bass throughout the harbor and along the nearby Long Island Sound beaches. These smaller fish have been providing steady light-tackle opportunities for anglers working the shoreline, particularly around areas holding bait. Looking ahead, Phil expects shore-based blackfishing to be one of the biggest draws now that the season has opened. Rock piles and other hard structure within casting distance of shore should have plenty of early-season potential, especially before cooling water temperatures begin pushing fish into deeper areas. Anglers should focus their efforts around rocky bottom and other structure where blackfish can find a steady supply of crabs and other food.

Up on the western North Shore, Blaise from Duffy’s Bait & Tackle in Glenwood Landing reported that the recent storm scattered much of the bait throughout the area, making the fishing a bit more dependent on locating concentrations of forage. However, anglers who are able to find the bait have a good chance of finding feeding stripers nearby. Porgies are still available from shoreline locations, providing another option for anglers looking to put together a mixed bag. With the blackfish season now open, Blaise expects shore-based togging to become one of the more popular fisheries over the coming days. Rocky shoreline structure, jetties and accessible rock piles should all be worth exploring. He did mention that green crabs have been difficult to obtain, so anglers should check on bait availability before heading out.

Jim at Miller Place Bait and Tackle on the North Shore reported striped bass being caught from the beaches around Mount Sinai, as well as in the back of the harbor. Soft plastics have been effective for anglers targeting these fish, particularly when worked around areas of moving water and concentrations of bait. Porgy fishing also remains productive from the local pier, giving shorebound anglers another solid option as the season progresses. With blackfish season underway, Jim mentioned that the shop has green crabs in stock for anglers looking to target tog around nearby rocky structure. The combination of bass, porgies and the opening of blackfish season should make for a busy stretch along this portion of the North Shore.

The crew at WeGo Bait and Tackle on the North Fork reported that striped bass are being caught along the Sound-facing beaches, with some smaller bluefish in the 2- to 3-pound range mixed into the action. Bonito are still hanging around in certain areas from Orient west toward Cutchogue, although there have been no recent reports of false albacore. Some weakfish have also been caught from beaches along the eastern North Fork, adding another species to the fall mix. With blackfish season now open, the shop is anticipating a strong start to the fishery as anglers begin working the area's rocky shoreline structure and nearshore pieces. Green crabs have been in short supply, but the shop expects to have them back in stock by the middle of the week.

Ken over at Tight Lines Tackle on the South Fork reported another excellent week of surfcasting, with striped bass action stretching from Bridgehampton westward. The beaches around Sagaponack have been especially productive around sunset, when anglers have been finding good concentrations of feeding fish moving within casting range. There have also been some solid shots of bass along the county beach east of Shinnecock Inlet, where anglers have been connecting with both slot-sized fish and larger stripers exceeding the legal retention limit. The combination of migrating bait and increasingly active bass has made this one of the better stretches of fall surf fishing so far, with plenty of opportunity for anglers willing to move around and locate feeding fish.

Bryce from White Water Outfitters reported very good striped bass fishing along the beaches and around Shinnecock Inlet. Anglers working the inlet after dark have been connecting with bass on jigs and live eels, while surfcasters along the ocean beaches have been finding success with a variety of swimming plugs. Fish weighing up to 40 pounds have been encountered along the beachfront, with some quality nighttime opportunities available for those fishing the right conditions. Bryce also mentioned that the Ponquogue area has been seeing a shot of bass inside the bay, where soft plastics have been producing fish. Between the beaches, inlet and back-bay waters, anglers have several productive options to explore as the fall migration continues.