Long Island, Metro NY - North Shore Fishing Reports

Mike at Fishing East Coast Bait and Tackle in Little Neck reports a little better fishing this week since a huge amount of peanut bunker moved into the area bringing plenty of cocktail blues with them. The peanuts also sparked off the fluke fishing, although most are still short, there are some quality fish in the mix. Bucktails and Berkley Gulp has been producing as will squid and spearing combo. If you can obtain some fresh peanut bunker, it would be a good choice to employ them. Porgy fishing has been better inside Oyster Bay and all the local rockpiles. Snapper fishing has been excellent inside Little Neck and Manhasset Bay’s. Striped bass fishing remains slow for the time being.

Capt. Pat Barrett of the Shamrock Charterboat in New Rochelle was happy to report that the bluefish have finally moved into their area feeding on the massive amount of peanut bunker that also moved into the area this week. The choppers are mainly cocktails and are slamming diamond jigs. The Sunset Porgy trips are continuing conditions permitting. Capt. Pat strongly suggest calling before coming out to make sure the boat will be sailing. The trips are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday fishing for porgies and bluefish should the boat run into them. As always, private fishing charters for the remaining fall months can be arranged by giving Capt. Pat a call at (914) 552-3050. You can check out their website at shamrockcharterboat.com.

Nuno DeCosta at Tyalure Professional Tackle & Gear in Rye, NY reports some cocktail blues and striped bass can be found inside the East River taking tins and swim shads. Out in the Sound there are fluke, porgies and sea bass all situated in their usual lairs. The big news however is the great tuna fishing occurring as close as 5 miles off Shinnecock and Montauk. In reality, the 20 and 30 Fathom Curve has been hot for bluefin and yellowfin while big eye and yellowfin tuna are still strong at the canyons. Tyalure is fully stocked with offshore gear, bait and chum to handle anything needed for the task offshore and inshore. Many of the rods available at the store are custom built for heavy and light tackle tuna fishing designed by Nuno. Without a doubt, Tyalure is your one stop shop for all your fishing supplies as well as clothing to deal with any of the elements that Mother Nature may throw at you. Nuno suggests stocking up on tuna bait and gear while everything is in stock and before he sells out with the current tuna craze going on at the moment. 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 another good week with large quality porgies with each trip seeing 50 to 60 weakfish being caught with only 6 or 8 being keepers. Some nice sea bass and fluke are also adding to the fun. Bottom fishing should only get better as we inch closer to blackfish season. When the time comes, the boat will be carrying green crabs for anglers looking to do some tog fishing even though the boat will be targeting porgies for as long as they stick around. The boat sails daily weather permitting at 8 a.m.

Blaise from Duffy’s Bait and Tackle in Glenwood Landing reports a good showing of cocktail blues along with false albacore. Epoxy Jigs are nailing the albacore, while diamond jigs nail the blues. Striped bass are accepting live eels on the night tides primarily inside Manhasset Bay. Fresh bunker chunks are also nailing the bass. Porgy fishing remains steady at all the beaches and in the Sound in 35 to 60 feet of water. Worms and clams are producing best with most fish in the 14-inch range. Sea bass are also mixing in with the scup. Fluke are still being taken in large numbers with only a handful of anglers finding where the keepers live, otherwise just as everywhere else along the Sound, keepers are hard to come by. The flatties are pretty much scattered; however, Mantinecock Point remains the most consistent location as it’s been all summer long. The traditional ham and eggs aka squid and spearing combo on plain rigs or bucktails will produce, however with the abundance of peanut bunker in the area, a fresh peanut bunker hooked through the eyes will have a bit of an edge with the flatties. Snappers are at all the docks and jetties.

On Cold Spring Charters in Cold Spring Harbor, Capt. Herb Hahn reports good porgy, bluefish and sea bass action on all trips this week. Some slot size striped bass are also seeing the ice box. Capt. Herb is now accepting charters for the upcoming blackfish season. Book now to avoid being shut out to what should be an excellent blackfish season by calling (516) 641-3401.

The guys at Campsite Sport Shop in Huntington reports the false albacore have arrived along with some Spanish mackerel and green bonito. Epoxy jigs, crippled Herring, Kastmasters and Deadly Dicks are all participating in the capture of these speed demons. The abundance of peanut bunker, spearing and rain bait are keeping the bellies of the speedsters content and hopefully they all will stick around for a while. Stripers are slamming Storm Swim Shad peanut bunker imitations. Porgies and black sea bass are in good numbers and size at the Triangle slamming small jigs tipped with 3-inch Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullet in chartreuse and salmon red. Snapper poppers and small metal jigs are catching plenty of decent size snappers from the beaches and docks.

Rob at Hi-Hook Bait and Tackle in Huntington reports a better week with the presence of cocktail blues, false albacore, green bonito and Spanish mackerel. The speedsters are feasting on the huge amounts of peanut bunker and spearing sharing the local waters. Epoxy jigs and Deadly Dicks are nailing the speedsters. Striped bass are still sucking down live bait and rubber swim shads that are peanut bunker imitations. Fluke are also enjoying the easy takings with bucktails baited with a fresh peanut bunker producing well although the usual meal of spearing and squid will produce just as well. There are some quality flatties mixing in with the shorts. Porgy fishing remains strong at most of the beaches and rockpiles in the Sound. Worms and clams will do the trick from the beaches and worms; clams and chum will produce best on the boats. Black sea bass are at the Green Ledge and most of the deep water haunts. Snappers are at all the docks and piers in large numbers.

Mark DeJong of the Celtic Quest Fleet in Port Jefferson was excited about the great porgy fishing that is only getting better as the water temperatures slowly drops. Most are large quality scup with some jumbo sea bass; a few weakfish and croakers join in the catch on a daily basis. The boat is carrying light crowds so now is the time to come on board and catch to your hearts delight. In addition, please check the Celtic Quest website for weekday and weekend discounts that you could apply on your next Celtic adventure.

Matt of Port Tackle in Port Jefferson reports the false albacore have moved into the area big time this week with some green bonito and Spanish mackerel all slamming Epoxy Jigs and Deadly Dicks. There have also been some cocktail blues weaving back and forth with the exotic species. The fish have been showing in front of buoy 11 to buoy 9. Striped bass has slowed a bit but can still be taken on live spot during the day and live eels at night at the Middle Grounds. Porgy fishing remains good at all the local rockpiles and at the Middle Grounds. Worms, clam and clam chum are the ticket to plenty of big scup. Black sea bass continues to build momentum as the nights get cooler with the deep water ledges and rockpiles producing fish to 20 inches. Snappers are at the docks, piers and beaches.

Jim Flora of Miller Place Bait and Tackle reports excellent porgy fishing at all the usual haunts which include Cranes Neck, Old Field Point and the Middle Grounds. Worms, clam and frozen clam logs in the chum pots are catching real solid along with a few sea bass, weakfish, and a few fluke. Black sea bass can also be taken independently along the northeast side of the Middle Grounds in 60 feet of water. Aside from clam and squid baits, the sea bass are slamming jigs tipped with Berkley Gulp Baits. Jim and his buddy fished a rockpile in front of Cedar Beach on Wednesday for nonstop action with big porgies, black sea bass, two weakfish and a bunch of cocktail blues. There were plenty of false albacore in the area for the boats chasing the speedsters. Striped bass remains a hot item at the rips on the outgoing tide at the Middle Grounds with live eels producing both day and night along with diamond and Epoxy Jigs nailing some quality bass along with some slot keepers. Snapper fishing has been excellent at the docks and at the Cedar Beach Pier.

Capt. Brian of Captain Skippy Charters in Mount Sinai reports the fall bonanza has begun with the speedsters also showing up this week with cocktail blues all over the place as well as the false albacore, green bonito and Spanish mackerel all hitting the deck. Lots of action and lots of fun on light tackle. Striped bass fishing remains strong with live bait still the method producing best. Captain Skippy Charters continues to collaborate with Gray Fish Tag which gives anglers the opportunity to tag, name and release oversize stripers in the name of science. This week’s shout out goes to Shane who caught, tagged and released a nice bass he named “Sherry” after his wife. Porgy fishing remains spectacular with black sea bass to 20 inches in the mix. Capt. Skippy Charters is now running half day charters targeting a mix bag of stripers, blues, porgies and sea bass. To arrange a quality trip to four passengers, please call Capt. Brian at (631) 252-6536.

The crew from Ralphs Fishing Station in Mt. Sinai reports plenty of porgies spread from Old Field Point, Cranes Neck and the Middle Grounds. Worms and clams are the tickets; however clam chum will keep the porgies close to the boat and rods bent for as long as you dole out the chum. Striped bass fishing remains a good bet employing live bait and bucktails at all the rip lines at the Middle Grounds. Bluefish have been hit or miss. Snapper fishing has been good inside the harbor with the Cedar Beach pier producing well along with some porgies and dogfish keeping anglers on their toes.

Shawn of Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle in Northport reports the striped bass remains a good option if you fish the start of an outgoing tide and use live bait such as live spot. The stripers range from 22 to 45 inches with Eaton’s Neck and around the Obstruction Buoy has been producing quite well. There are tons of peanut bunker that swarmed the bays and harbors as well as outside in the Sound. Along with the peanuts are cocktail blues, false albacore, Spanish mackerel and green bonito all attacking Epoxy Jigs, Crippled Herring and Deadly Dicks. Fluke remain abundant on the shoals with some quality fish to 7 pounds mixing in with the shorts. Traditional fluke rigs and bucktail jigs baited with a fresh peanut bunker are crushing the flatties. The Triangle is now home to large porgies and keeper sea bass. Worms, clams and chum over one of the countless rockpiles in 60 feet of water should keep you busy with the duo. Snappers are all over the harbors and are hitting snapper poppers and shiny jigs.

Capt. Stu of Northport Charters Northport reports the abundance of peanut bunker have called in the cocktail blues, false albacore and green bonito. The abundance of baitfish inside Northport and Huntington Bay’s will set up the fall striped bass and bluefish run perfectly once a Nor’easter has these forage baitfish on the move. Capt. Stu is looking forward to the fall blackfish and sea bass season and strongly suggests booking your bottom fishing trips now as they book fast once blackfish season opens. Captain Stu brings 21 years’ experience fishing the Northport waters and certainly knows where the husky blackfish live. With that said, whether it’s striped bass, fluke, sea bass, porgies, blackfish or combo trips, Capt. Stu has you covered with his experience fishing the North Shore of Long Island Sound. To book your trips please give Capt. Stu a call or text at (631) 707-3266 or go to Northportcharter.com.

Capt. Sean Crean of Port of Call Charters in Northport now the 32 foot Molly Gale K 3, reports that both the Molly Gale K 2 and 3 are bottom fishing with good porgy fishing and fair sea bass catches. Capt. Sean is anticipating the start of blackfish season, which promises to produce plenty of solid fishing with plenty of quality white chins finishing up the 2026 season. To get in on the action, 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 hot fluke bite continues. Angler Fleet sails open boat on weekends and to keep tabs on when Angler Fleet will be sailing as an open boat, please check their Facebook Page or give Capt. Kenny a call at (718) 659-8181. The boats are also available for blackfish charter for the fall as well as for nighttime parties also by giving Capt. Kenny a call.

Craig from WeGo Bait and Tackle in Southold reports the bluefish are all over the Race, the Sluiceway and Plum Gut. Diamond jigs has been best for the choppers along with poppers when they are feeding on the surface. Anglers casting Epoxy Jigs also seeing false albacore and some green bonito. There are also some slot size bass slamming the jigs intended for the speedsters. Not far away from the gamesters are the bottom dwelling porgies and sea bass in the Sound with jumbo scup north of Plum Island while the sea bass are taking up residence off Fishers Island. Both species are liking clams and fresh squid on high/low rigs. Back inside the bay there are smaller but more abundant porgies anywhere from Greenport to Noyack Bay. Weakfish, kingfish, croakers, blowfish and cocktail blues are by buoy 16 and buoy 17. Worms, clams and squid are all being taken on high/low rigs. Snapper fishing has been excellent at the Railroad Dock.

Capt. Paul Ripperger and Captain Rachel Jannace Johnson of the Tide Hustle in Greenport was happy to report another great week fishing close to home, out East and off Montauk. The bay remains loaded with scup, weakfish and several other panfish, while the East End and Montauk trips results in buckets and coolers filled to the brim with jumbo porgies, quality keeper black sea bass quality fluke and plenty of big bluefish. The extended Montauk trips will continue for as long as the good fishing continues which as good as the bottom fishing has been, it will only get better as October comes around and then it is off to blackfish season where the fishing promises to be grand judging by the amount of blackfish being caught and released by anglers fishing the reefs for sea bass. The Tide Hustle is 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. unless they are on an extended trip which returns at 4 p.m. The Tide Hustle is the newest addition of the East End open boat operation and 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 when the boat is not filled, 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 at (631) 384-6294.

Adam at North Country Gas Bait and Tackle in St. James reports good porgy and sea bass fishing south and east of the Middle Grounds. George and his son Jeremy fished south of the Middle Grounds for 20 humpback porgies and 6 keeper sea bass. The duo also returned many smaller porgies and sea bass to grow bigger for another day. Paul used plugs inside Smithtown Bay for a pair of stripers releasing both which were both slot size fish.