Long Island, Metro NY - South Shore Fishing Reports

From Capt. Paul Nilsson of Just One Bite Charters in Center Moriches I heard that on Saturday morning Nick and his brother came out with their dad for his birthday. On the first drift, they had two fish on, one made it to the net. After a few dropped fish, they got the hang of it and started landing more fish. The bite slowed around 9:30. According to Paul, they tried a few more drifts in other areas then back to the dock.

In from Richie at Dick's B&T in Mastic Beach we learned of a lot of oversize bass in the inlet up until Wednesday. Live snapper and shad were the best producers, with anglers catching on spot too. Later in the week, the inlet got quiet with fish moving down the beach. Surfcasters and boaters did well on bass using SP Minnows, Diamond Jigs and Yo-Zuri plugs had them right on the beach. As fluke season wound down, Rick and Linda fished buoy 9 earlier in the week and scored with fluke all day long, and drilled a nice 22-inch keeper, which they also released. Blackfish season opens the 15th, as the commercial anglers are already reporting catches in pots. There is a lot of rain bait, so throwing a small epoxy rig should produce bass too.

At Smith Point Beach Bait and Tackle, Terrence reported bass has been good this week with live spot producing well. The week was good, with Saturday the only slower day.

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said backfish season opened October 11th on the north shore (October 15th for the south shore-Including Peconic Bay.) The shop will be fully stocked with blackfish jigs, rigs, hooks and green crabs. I should preface this report with "if the winds subside and you can get an opening to fish, the results should be pretty good,” said John. John also feels that this year’s fall season should be better in both quality and quantity. When hitting your favorite blackfish spot don’t forget to bring your sea bass gear, the season is still open and the fishing has been very good at the local inlets, wrecks and artificial reefs. The fall bass run has officially begun on our island with anglers reporting keeper bass from east to west. Right now Fire Island Inlet has been holding plenty of slot and over-sized fish, with some anglers using bait like live eels, snappers, spot and bunker. Anglers have also reported a good bite further east in Moriches and Shinnecock inlets. Considering that we're in October, the snapper fishing is turning into "cocktail bluefish" fishing. They're getting big and fighting hard.  They're good eating too at this size.  Spearing, lures all will catch the limit.  Day time is best with a moving tides. Fluke fishing in the local bays like the West Cut of  Moriches to  Narrow Bay, Shinnecock and Fire Island have been fair.  The Smith Point and Fire Island bridges have been holding some keeper fluke with some weakfish in the mix as well. Bucktails with Gulp or squid strips is a great choice for these fish. Porgy and sea bass fishing has been good recently with our local wrecks being loaded with fish. We have seen plenty of large porgies along with keeper sea bass at the moriches, Shinnecock and Fire Island reefs. The best way to fish these reefs would be clam or squid using hi-lo bait rigs. Using clam chum at these reefs is another great option because it’s easy to do and will bring the fish to you.

Down the road at Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale, Billy reported fluke reports were solid this week. The end of the season is coming up and some really good fluke are being caught. Reports of fish in the 4 to 6-pound range have been common this week. Striper reports are off the charts, too. The second wave of fish is here, and they are here in force. Eels, mullet, bunker, and sand eels are all on the menu. On the boats, guys are tossing bucktails, NLBNs, Storms, and SPs, and of course dunking some live eels to get in on this killer bite. He also said surf guys are having an absolute blast with fish up to 30 pounds. Bucktails, needlefish, NLBN paddle tails, and SP Minnows have been pulling some solid fish. He went out with the boys, Vinny Cagnina and Will Jacobs, the other night, and they were all hooking up and pulling in some solid bass, all in the 10- to 15-pound range, with Vinny’s solid 20-pounder coming in clutch at the end of the night.

At Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip I heard striper action is rock solid with fish on the bunker pods outside. Remember, snag, re-hook with a circle, then catch your bass. Blues are running at the wind mill area offshore. Back inside, fluke action slowed as the fish made a mass exodus out of the bay. There are some blowfish still around on the bottom sucking down clams. Blackfish season is open on the North Shore, and will re-open on the South Shore this Thursday, the 15th. The shop has all the blackfish rigs and jigs you will need, plus crabs in stock daily.

On the Capt. Gillen, we heard Shane is still in the lead in the adult division of the heaviest fluke caught this season aboard the Captain Gillen (all customers automatically entered) with a 5-pound, 9-ounce flattie, and young Sean still holds the lead in the kids division with a 3-pound, 14-ounce beauty.  Some of those who caught keeper fluke this week include Duff, Jack, Rob J, Al, Joanne, Chris, and Joe.  They are sailing at 11 a.m. during the week and at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through October 15 for fluke.  Striped bass starts October 16 and the days and hours will be the same but the 11 a.m. trips will be longer and pricing has been adjusted so please check their website or give them a call.  Reservations highly recommended for all trips; striped bass trips will have a more limited capacity than fluke. Rod, reel, bait, tackle included in fare. Reduced fares for seniors, veterans, active military, first responders, groups, and children.  Family friendly.  No surcharge for using credit cards.  Gift certificates available all year ‘round for birthdays, holidays, and special events. For more information call 631-586-5511 or visit their website.

At Captree Bait and Tackle, I heard striped bass really picked up this week with anglers scoring near Demo and along Cedar. Diamond Jigs have worked best, but the early morning a.m. bite has been best. With blackfish season starting the shop will carry green crabs and blackfish rigs. Fluke action was very quiet this past week, and with it closing Thursday, it ended up being a good season for most.

Capt. Walter on the Fishfinder II reported the fluke season is closing down Thursday, but there were several fish in the 7-pound class this past week, with a few 5 to 6-pounders. The boat will continue fluking until the 15th, then begin bass. On Wednesday the 7 p.m. striper trips will begin and sail every Wednesday through Sunday. There are bass around as private boats have caught them on Diamond Jigs inside and outside the inlet. This all bodes well for a solid striper run this fall. The boat will also sail for stripers 10 a.m. daily, every day

On the King Cod VII out of Captree I heard from Capt. Joe reported the fluke fishing slowed down significantly towards the weekend. Just a couple of keepers landed with a few shorts as the summer flounder exit stage left for the winter. The boat is going to be doing a little bit of annual maintenance in the next couple of days. They will be back and ready to go for the south shore blackfish season opener on Thursday, October 15th. They will be sailing full day trips daily, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. or later. Fishing will take place in both the bay/Inlet and out on the ocean wreck and reefs. Captain’s choice, whatever is best. Early on, and especially for the first week or two of the season, expect good fishing on the shallower inshore grounds. The boat provides all sinkers, hooks, rigs, tackle, and the best available crabs, all included in the fare. You can text Capt. Joe at 631-605-1404 with your name, day, and number of spots needed to reserve. Or just show up around a half hour before scheduled sail time and jump on. Walk-ons are welcome for most days, especially during the week when crowds have been very light. They sail from the far right side of the dock. Right in front of Captree Bait and Tackle.

On the Laura Lee out of Captree, Capt. Kenny reported the ocean is alive with big porgies and a lot of them. Fluke action slowed, but stripers are moving in fast, chasing the bunker pods.

At Bergen Bay Docks in West Babylon, Nick wanted to remind anglers the Capt. Al Lorenzetti tournament will be happening on November 7th. Captain's meeting on Friday the 6th. Striped bass seem to be all over and the shop is loaded with big fat spot!

On Taylor Renee Charters out of Babylon I heard of excellent striped bass fishing at the inlets and off the beaches. Live bunker and big swim baits working best. Live eels are also producing some fish at night around structure. 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 fluke action is still good in Fire Island Inlet, and in the State Channel between Lindy and Amityville, so don’t give up yet. Fluke season closes Thursday, so there is still time for that late inning doormat. Blowfish are in the shallows taking clams and clam chum. Stripers are at all the bridges with soft plastics accounting for action day and night. Outside along the beach, bass have succumbed to Diamond Jigs. On the blackfish front, the shop has green crabs in stock daily.