Long Island, Metro NY - North Shore Fishing Reports

Mike at Fishing East Coast Bait and Tackle in Little Neck reports that although the striped bass fishing remains stellar, fluke have moved into the Bayside area especially from the docks and inside Little Neck Bay with a good population of keepers mixing in with plenty of short life. Bucktails tipped with Gulp or a squid/spearing combo has been producing fish to 6 pounds. Porgy fishing is good to the east with Oyster Bay producing scup to 2 pounds on worm and clam. Please note that from now until Father’s Day, Mike is loaded with tackle specials you don’t want to miss out on. Be sure to stop by the store and take advantage of some dynamite sales.

Capt. Pat Barrett of the Shamrock Charterboat in New Rochelle reports the porgy trips have been seeing an average of 20 to 25 fish a man with sandworms out fishing the clam baits, The Sunset Fluke trips has been sailing with light crowds with 12 to 20 fluke caught on each trip. The boat also had a full day fluke charter during the week with 40 fluke coming aboard with 6 hitting the fillet table and all the rest being safely released. The Sunset Fluke Fishing Trips will sail Tuesday thru Thursday and Sundays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Private fishing charters can be arranged by giving Capt. Pat a call at (914) 552-3050. In addition, the Shamrock will be sailing Sightseeing Cruises to New York Harbor to view the Tall Ships celebrating America’s 250 year birthday. These trips will occur July 3 to July 8. For more information, you can give Capt. Pat a call at (914) 552-3050. Check out their website at shamrockcharterboat.com.

Nuno DeCosta Tyalure Professional Tackle & Gear in Rye, NY reports that fishing has lit up like a Christmas tree with everything obliging on the daily menu. Striped bass fishing remains grand on the local rips and ledges. Trolling bunker spoons and umbrellas are producing many mixed size fish which are still plentiful at the Bridges and the rivers. Live lining bunker or spot are working out well as well as flutter spoons and Berkley Glider Baits. Fluke fishing has been tough in the local grounds with better quality fish to the east. Bucktails tipped with squid spearing or Gulp are catching best right now. Porgy fishing has been good but getting better on worms and clams. On the offshore scene, the bluefin tuna bite has busted open off South New Jersey while the East Canyon is holding yellowfins. The Hudson Canyon is still producing super tilefish to 40 plus pounds. Whether trolling for tuna, marlin or swordfish or jigging for tuna or sending down the right baits and rigs for tilefish, Tyalure is fully stocked with offshore gear, bait and chum to handle anything needed for the task offshore and inshore. Without a doubt, Tyalure is your one stop shop for all your fishing supplies as well as clothing to deal with the elements Mother Nature throws at you. Nuno suggests stocking up on tuna bait and gear while everything is in stock. The store is open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Aboard the open boat the Rip Tide III in City Island Capt. Carl reports a stellar week of porgy fishing right up until Friday as Saturday saw the bite to be picky as some anglers did very well while most anglers averaged 5 or 6 each. Included in the catches this week was mackerel, butterfish and a striper or two. The boat sails daily at 8 a.m.

Blaise from Duffy’s Bait and Tackle in Glenwood Landing reports bass, bass and more bass with fish to 40 inches chasing after Mojo’s, flutter spoons, Glide Baits and fresh bunker chunks. The local beaches are seeing excellent action on the night tides for those anglers tossing plugs. Mackerel fishing has also been excellent, including the local piers on mackerel trees and Sabaki rigs. Porgy and fluke fishing continues to be slow on the local grounds so most boatmen have been steaming to Smithton to find a good bite on both species. Sandworms have been best for the scup while bucktails and Gulp has been best on the fluke. No bluefish yet with a few weakfish coming into the harbor.

On Cold Spring Charters in Cold Spring Harbor, Capt. Herb Hahn reports live lining baits has been doing well with the striped bass. If you want a shot at scoring with some big stripers, Capt. Herb is the man that knows how it’s done the right way. To book a trip in the near future or anytime this season Give the Captain a call at (516) 641-3401.

The guys at Campsite Sport Shop in Huntington reports plenty of striped bass taking up the waters of the Triangle with trolling Mojo’s the way to go. Flutter spoons are also producing when the tide eases. Fluke fishing has been better this week with hi/low rigs and Gulp baits producing well. Lots of Boston mackerel are slamming mackerel and Sabaki rigs outside of the bays and harbors.

Rob at Hi-Hook Bait and Tackle in Huntington reports incredible striped bass continues and it don’t matter what method you are employing or what bait you are using, everything is working when the bite is on. Most fish are too big for the box although some anglers are finding some slot fish. Fluke fishing has improved with last week’s sand eel hatch. Anywhere from 10 to 20 feet of water east of Eaton’s Neck has been providing plenty of action with shorts and keepers. Make sure to use the freshest bait possible if you want keepers. Boston mackerel are hanging in the Sound and providing solid fishing for anglers employing mackerel and Sabaki Rigs. Porgy fishing has picked up considerably this week with the Brush Pile, south of buoy 13 and buoy 11 B all producing with worms and clams. A few bluefish are being taken while bass fishing inside the Triangle.

Capt. Mark DeJong of the Celtic Quest Fleet in Port Jefferson reports Port Jeff is truly Porgy Town USA as the fishing has lit up big time this week. What is even more impressive are the quality of the scup with many fish close to two pounds reaching close to 3 pounds on a few fish. Some weakfish, fluke and striped bass are finding their way into the pails. The chartered fluke trips are seeing lots of action with a handful of keepers hitting the fillet table. Visit the Celtic Quest Fishing website to reserve your spots at the rail.

Tris of Port Tackle in Port Jefferson reports an excellent week overall with a bunch of species on the local scene. Striped bass continues to lead the way with anglers trolling Mojo’s and umbrella rigs having a blast from Buoy 11 to buoy 7. Flutter spoons, diamond jigs and gliders are all producing well. Anglers using live eels and live spot which are well stocked at the shop are nailing plenty of cow bass. Fluke fishing has been hot and heavy at the shoals and anglers putting in the time are being rewarded with some real quality flatties to 8 pounds. Live lining a live mackerel or live spot are producing the big fluke, otherwise bucktails and teasers will keep the rod bent with smaller fluke dressing the bucktails with squid and spearing and Gulp will keep the rods bent. Mixed size Boston mackerel are all over the Sound and are hitting both the Sabaki and mackerel rigs. Porgy fishing really took off this week with excellent quantity and quality off Cranes Neck and Old Field Point. Sandworms and clams are responsible for boat limits of scup to 2-1/2 pounds. Some weakfish, fluke and bluefish are inside Port Jefferson Harbor and Conscience Bay.

Sue Flora of Miller Place Bait and Tackle reports exceptional bass fishing with buoy 11 and buoy 9 producing while trolling Mojo’s, dropping down flutter spoons and using live bait. Most of the fish are too large to keep, however, there are a few slot size bass for the dinner table. Fluke are piled up at the shoals but as usual too many small fish. Bucktails tipped with squid, spearing or Gulp are all producing with the sharpies nailing their keepers to 7 pounds. Porgy fishing has really been solid at Cranes Neck with fish to 2 pounds sucking down sandworms and clams. As a reminder it’s not too late to enter your kids in the Kids Porgy Derby for ages of 4 to 18, which will run until June 30th. It’s free to enter and you must sign up before you head out to fish. Tackle prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. So far no one has come in to weigh any scup so the contest remains wide open. In addition keep a lookout as the shop will have a fluke derby after Father’s Day for an entrée fee and winner takes all. I will have the details in next week’s issue.

Capt. Brian of Captain Skippy Charters in Mount Sinai reports that the epic 2026 spring striped bass run continues with larger fish to 30 pounds being caught this week. Water temps are finally in the 60s and the bass are feeding on pods of bunker, making large baits the key.  Capt. Skippy is once again collaborating with Gray Fish Tag, giving anglers the unique opportunity to catch, tag, name, and release over-slot striped bass all in the name of science. This week’s shout out goes to John and his crew who released a 40 inch striper named “Big Boi”. Porgy fishing is top notch right now, with drop and stick action and jumbo scup coming over the rails. While a few weeks behind schedule, the recent sand eel hatch has caused the fluke to finally show up in numbers. There has been great action on the flats with some keeper sized fish in the mix. As an added bonus there are a ton of Atlantic mackerel around right now chasing rain bait near the mouths of the harbors. The Captain has been keeping a Sabiki rig pole ready for when they pop up. After such a brutal winter there’s no better time than now to get your family back out on the water. Call (631) 252-6536 to book a trip.

The crew from Ralphs Fishing Station in Mt. Sinai reports great bass fishing from buoys 11 to buoy 7. Trolling Mojo/s, working flutter spoons and diamond jigs are catching the bass. Fluke fishing has improved a bit with mainly shorts, but there are a few nice keepers to 20 inches mixing in with bucktails, teasers and plain rigs dressed with Gulp, squid and spearing. Porgy fishing continues to build momentum along Cedar Beach and Cranes Neck. A few bluefish and weakfish have been by-catches by fluke fishermen.

Phil of Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle in Northport reports the bass madness continues at the Triangle. Saturday’s boat traffic put a hurting on the action otherwise the entire week saw great action when the tide was right. Trolling wire with Mojo’s or deep diving plugs worked well as did flutter spoons and diamond jigs. Live lining spot has also been the ticket while live eels are producing well on the night tides. Fluke has seen a major improvement with plenty of keeper and short action along the shallow sandy bottom beaches east of Eaton’s Neck. One of the shop regulars who wanted to remain anonymous was using live spot intended for stripers nailed a pair of 7 pound fluke that he gave to Phil on Friday. So folks, the big fish are down there, perhaps you should try changing your bait around and thankfully the shop is carrying live spot and live eels. Boston mackerel are thick all over the Sound and anglers employing Sabaki and mackerel rigs are scoring well. Don’t tell Phil I told you so but live tinker mackerel catches big fluke also. Porgy fishing also came to life this week for both beach fishermen and boatmen. Target Rock and Caumsett has started to come alive as did the Brush Pile and Cranes Neck worms and clams catches a cooler full of scup to 2 pounds. Bluefish to 14 pounds have moved into Triangle also this week. Sea bass and weakfish reports remain quiet.

Capt. Stu of Northport Charters in Northport reports the sand eels have hatched with last week’s full moon which also brought in several nice size fluke to 5-1/2 pounds this week as Capt. Stu has been working hard to put his charters over some nice beauties. The big fluke have been spitting up loads of sand eels and you need to basically match the hatch to dial in on the keeper fluke right now. Striped bass fishing has been a bit more challenging this week due to being at the right tidal stage. Most of the bass coming up for the charters has been oversize bass. Capt. Stu is now accepting charters for the 2026 season. Whether it’s striped bass, fluke, sea bass, porgies, blackfish or combo trips, Capt. Stu has you covered with his many years’ experience fishing the North Shore of Long Island Sound. To book your trips please give Capt. Stu a call at (631) 707-3266 or visit the website at NorthportCharters.com.

Capt. Sean Crean of Port of Call Charters in Northport now the 32 foot Molly Gale K 3, and the 28 foot Molly Gale K II are doing combo trips for striped bass, fluke and black sea bass which Capt. Sean reports solid fishing on all ends. For further info and to book your trips, please give Capt. Sean a call at (631) 896-6709 or visit their website.

Capt. Ken of Angler Fleet in Port Washington reports the public and charter trips continues to be red hot with plenty of oversize and slot size bass making the grade. Open boat and private charters are sailing every week and for more information, you can call (718) 659-8181 or visit the website to book your next fishing adventure.

Craig from WeGo Bait and Tackle in Southold reports striped bass fishing has been on fire anywhere from Plum Gut to the Race. Bucktails and 3x3 rigs have been red hot during the day, while the night bite has been mainly on live eels. Weakfish have moved into the Peconic’s and have invaded the porgy grounds. High/low rigs baited with squid stripes and sandworms have also been effective in Noyack Bay, Jessup Neck, Roses Grove and Robins Island are all holding weakies. Porgy fishing has been solid with quite a few jumbos coming north of Jessup Neck on worms and clams. Squid fishing has slowed considerably at the docks.

Capt. Paul Ripperger and Captain Rachel Jannace Johnson of the Tide Hustle in Greenport reports the porgy fishing has been good with fish to 2 plus pounds most days. The big news however is that for the first time this year the weakfish have showed up on Friday with several keepers being taken on Friday’s morning and evening trips. Thursday’s striped bass/porgy combo saw severe boat traffic putting a damper on the striped bass. Nonetheless they were able to put 4 slot fish on the fillet table and headed for the porgy grounds where everyone on board enjoyed excellent porgy fishing to 2 pounds. Friday saw a picky bite with everyone bringing 15 to 20 scup to the fillet table. The boat will be running a rod benders trip every Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. fishing for porgies and striped bass. Reservations are a must for these trips which is limited to only 15 passengers. The Tide Hustle will be sailing from Brick Cove Marina in Greenport every day, weather permitting starting at 7 a.m. and returning back to the dock between 2 and 2:30 p.m. The Tide Hustle is the newest addition of the East End open boat operation that is owned and operated by both Capt. Rachel and her husband Todd Johnson. Open boat trips are limited to 15 anglers with a 100 feet of rail space to roam in. Although walk ons are welcome, a reservation is strongly suggested to guarantee your spot on the rail. The Tide Hustle is also available for charters, also limited to 15 passengers. For further information or to book your spot on the rail you can give Capt. Paul a call at (631) 522-2002 or Captain Rachel a call at (631) 384-6294.

Adam Wilson at North Country Gas Bait and Tackle in St. James reports his friend Brian nailed a nice slot size striper fishing outside Smithtown Bay on a diamond jig. Sean Dowdell nailed his limit of fluke to 6 pounds fishing along Sand City. Sean was using the famous Triple Rigs invented and sold by Adam Wilson himself. Nice job Sean, let it be known that you are the first fluke limit I am reporting so far this season.