Long Island, Metro NY - South Shore Fishing Reports

Capt. Tom Cornicelli of Ocean Merchant at Moriches Bay Marina reported the big news is live spot have arrived. Stripers are in the bay and inlet, with plugs working well in the back-bay, while in the inlet, live spot have been the go-to. If you are looking for fluke, don’t overlook live spot as well!

Jay at Silly Lily Fishing Station in East Moriches said the station will open officially the 16th, but you can reserve your rental boat now by heading over to www.sillylily.com or calling the shop. In fishing news, the action is already heating up with fluke caught out front near the CG Station.

In from Richie at Dick's B&T in Mastic Beach we learned fluke fishing was good during the week. The outgoing tide has produced fluke between 7 and 8 pounds, with plenty of shorts in the mix too. Patrick Walsh and his friends had a limit, with the largest being 4 and 7 pounds. The best action has been in front of Forge River and buoys 12 to 14. Bigger fish seem to be biting in pretty shallow water - 5 feet. Bluefish action is excellent and there are some real large ones in the mix over 10 pounds. Joe and Mark had five bass earlier in the week, but on Friday they got out again and found just blues, no bass. A few boat guys have trolled up some keepers stripers on the outside and also had fish on Diamond jigs.

At Smith Point Bait and Tackle, Terrence reported the bite has lit up in the area with fluke, bass and big blues were reported back to the shop. On the bluefish front, the open ocean area is seeing fish from 8 to 12 on the large side, with the average in the 6 pound class. Fluke action is good in the bay on spearing from the Narrows to the mouth of the Forge River, and cuts leading to the inlet. Bass are roaming throughout, with the back bay and inlet the hot spots.

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said striped bass are off of Patchogue, and weakfish catches were reported to the west. Warmer weather, means warmer water, which means bass are in the bays. Bass reported locally in Great South Bay from Patchogue, Blue Point and Sayville on bunker chunks and lures. Fish reported up to 35 inches. On the fluke front, action is good in the bays, with spearing and squid the best options. Reports of fish over 5 pounds have already filtered back into the shop. On the weekend, bluefish have been reported near the Smith Point Bridge with anglers catching fish up to 15 pounds. Diamond jigs and topwater poppers. While these gators have mainly been found near the inlets, they will soon push further into Great South Bay.

Greg from Burnett's Marina in Bay Shore we heard the Bay Shore Marina docks really lit up. Blues and bass are active, with fresh bunker chunks the best for landing a “good” fish. There is also a good body of fluke in the bay with a lot of shorts picked by the bridge during the week. Greg said it “feels” like the action is about to explode, especially now that the weather is beginning to break. A few anglers headed out early Sunday to search the bunker pods, where bass had been reported.

At Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip I heard the action really took a turn to the positive side with anglers finding blues in all sizes – small to gators, weakfish, fluke and stripers! The best weakfish bite is the Ocean Beach area, and as always, the early a.m. has been the ticket. On the fluke front, the State Channel is the best area. Blues are basically roaming the bay, chopping up any bait in their path. Bass are also inside the bay at the bridge, rips and back-bay area. Try popping lugs and soft plastics in the early a.m. or dusk.

On the Capt. Gillen, we heard Eric R. maintains the lead in the heaviest fluke caught aboard the Captain Gillen this season with a 4-pound, 11-ounce fluke. There are a lot of pictures on their Facebook and Instagram pages from the past week. They are sailing every day at 11 a.m. with an additional 6 a.m. trip on Saturdays and Sundays.  Schedule will be expanded as the season progresses. Rod, reel, bait, tackle included in fare. Reduced fares for seniors, veterans, active military, first responders, and children; information available by clicking on the tickets page on their site.  No surcharge for using credit cards.  Gift certificates available.  For more information call 631-586-5511 or visit their website. 

Brenden at Captree Bait and Tackle Shop on Captree Island is hearing great reports throughout the south shore. Brenden went out for a little bit before work and got his first fluke of the season on the third cast while using Gulp and bucktails. Per Brenden, this is a common theme upon new and serious fisherman! The shop also got a few reports from Ken Ryu with some blues and fluke in the State Channel. Rich Brown also reported a few fluke, blues and stripers. Matt and Jacob went out and caught a few blues and bass in the Inlet on plugs. The Captree Fleet is doing well, sailing for fluke during the day and striped bass at night. Back to fluke, the shop has already seen a fish of 7 pounds.

Capt. Walter on the Fishfinder II come on down this coming weekend as the Fishfinder II begins their 2025 season. The boat will sail for fluke at 8 a.m. and bass/bluefish trips at 5 p.m. For more info, go to www.captreefishfinder.com.

On the King Cod VII out of Captree I heard from Capt. Joe reported bay fluking has been good since opening day. There are plenty of nice keepers mixed with some shorts. Pool contenders have consistently been in 4.5 to 6-pound class. The boat sails daily from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and also offer evening trips, weather and interest permitting. Text 631-605-1404 for more info and reservations.

In from The Captree Fleet I heard the fleet scored well on the fluke front this week, a few catching their limit and some tipping the scale at 5 plus pounds. There was also a mix of bluefish and stripers caught. The Fleet’s charter boats are now taking Reservation for the upcoming 2025 Season Please visit the website at www.captreefleet.com for a complete list. Gift Certificates are available to purchase online, or at the office on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gift certificates are redeemable on any of the fleet’s boats.

Frank at Suffolk Marine in Babylon reported the better fluke bite is to the east, but stripers have been reported in the inlet area.

On Taylor Renee Charters out of Babylon I heard gator blues have invaded Great South Bay, with some weakfish early a.m. in the back bay. Fluke is slow for keepers, although there is a lot of shorts, which keeps the action going. The warmer water is producing better action. For info or to book a trip call Capt. Mike at 631-855-2751.

Bob Rose at Bob's Bait and Tackle in Amity Harbor reported the action is very good, with anglers smiling from ear to ear due to the action. If you want blues, you have your choice from small to large. The ocean is seeing some choppers over 10, while the State Channel is holding blues to around 6 pounds smacking umbrella rigs. Also in the State Channel from Babylon to Lindenhurst, the fluke bite is solid. Another hot spot for fluke is the East-West Channel in front of Tanner Park, which is always a great location throughout the year. Stripers are all over the bay it appears and you can catch them by all means – trolling, chunking, live spot, soft plastics, and on and on! Off the docks, anglers are also reporting some blue claw crabs!