Long Island, Metro NY - South Shore Fishing Reports

From Capt. Paul Nilsson of Just One Bite Charters in Center Moriches I heard the bass have been in the inlet on the incoming tide. So far not a slot to be found. Most fish are around 36 inches, with the largest Paul found at 46 inches. Bunker have shown up out in the ocean, and the bass have been on them but the bite has been spotty at times.

In from Richie at Dick's B&T in Mastic Beach we learned of large bass hanging around the inlet, with most fish over the limit. Anglers Diamond jigging outside and along the beach have scored on slot and over size fish. Bass are feeding on smaller bait too, so epoxy jigs have accounted for action. On the blackfish front, opening day was tough due to strong tides and heavy currents. During slack water periods, the action produced a few fish. Striped bass are also back in the bay near buoy 5 and 6, and the Smith Point Bridge. Anglers tossing soft plastics have scored well.

At Smith Point Beach Bait and Tackle, Terrence reported opening day for blackfish was slower than expected, with weed and strong tides making for tough conditions. Stripers continue to take live spot in the inlet with most fish over the limit.

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said bass have arrived in masses with anglers scoring over the slot fish from Moriches to Fire Island. Bunker pods in the ocean have large fish, while anglers using live spot in the inlets have also scored. If you see birds crashing, that could be a sign sand eels are in the mix, so break out the Diamond Jigs. For once it seems that we are finally getting some colder nights this fall. Up until the past few days the night time temperatures have been rather mild which resulted in warm water for this time of the year. This has added to the bass masses. The shop is still hearing of false albacore with Joe Baggs epoxy jigs accounting for action. On the wrecks and reefs this week :(if you can get out between the wind gusts) sea bass and blackfish action is still good. With water cooling, the 40 to 80-foot wrecks have produced well. Sea bass, porgies, pollock and ling, will all hit a well baited clam on a hi-low bait rig. When bottom fishing be sure to bring plenty of sinkers ranging from 8-16 ounces depending on how deep you are fishing. Blackfish has been keeping a good amount of boats busy. The bite has been pretty good off the south shore in the ocean as well as on north shore rock piles. The shop has green crabs, jigs and clams in stock for blackfish.

Down the road at Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale, Billy reported non-stop bass action has local anglers going wild! Boat guys are having a field day with big fish, all over the schools of bait. Poppers, bucktails, SP Minnows and swimbaits are working very well. Tog action is hot on the local wrecks and reefs, munching up crabs on rigs and jigs. There are plenty of fish to catch, with a great ratio of keepers.

At Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip I heard of plenty of blackfish for the opener with anglers finding keeper blackfish on any rock pile, bridge abutment, hard bottom or smaller wreck and ruble on the bay floor. In fact, one angler had a 15 plus pounder that was released (he brought the video to the shop). On the bass front, there are loads of stripers running the bay and outside. Again, please be reminded that when using live or dead bait, you must use a circle hook. After snagging, reel it in and do the right thing. And, if you stop by the shop, they are carrying a great rig made specifically for bunker and bass fishing. Stop by and check it out. There are also false albies running, but you really can’t target them, but carry some tins and epoxy jigs when they show up. Green crabs are in stock daily for blackfish.

At Captree Bait and Tackle, I heard on the blackfish front, anglers have scored well in the bay near the bridges, but mostly smaller fish. Striped bass action was very good in the bay, where bait and Diamond Jigs have worked well. With blackfish season open, the shop will have green crabs daily.

Capt. Walter on the Fishfinder II reported the night bass action has been good with fish to 30 pounds on live eels. The boat sails daily for stripers leaving the dock at 10 a.m. for bay action. They also sail nights for stripers at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

On the King Cod VII out of Captree I heard from Capt. Joe reported a little bit of a slow start to the blackfish season. So far, the shorts have outnumbered the keepers by a pretty wide margin. Each of the couple of trips they have made so has seen a handful of keeper's to 5 pounds competing for the pool, plenty of shorts released, and some nuisance size sea bass. They saw life in both the ocean, and inside the inlet. The water was unusually warm on opening day hovering around 64 degrees. Things should improve rapidly with cooler weather. The boat sails daily, weather and interest permitting 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the far right side of the dock. Text Capt. Joe at 631-605-1404 for the latest and to reserve your spot.

On the Laura Lee Fleet out of Captree, Capt. Kenny reported the striper action can at times be hit or miss with live eels by night and bunker by day. Blackfish season started off slow.

Over at Bergen Bay Docks in West Babylon, Nick reported the bass fishing is decent, not great and they have plenty of live spot available. If you're looking for green crabs, they have those as well, and marine diesel is currently $5.99 per gallon. Also, the Captain Al Lorenzetti tournament is coming up in November; you can find more details at skimmeroutdoors.com.

Bob Rose at Bob's Bait and Tackle in Amity Harbor reported the bass action was good outside the inlet and along the beaches. Anglers had them on the troll, live bunker or Diamond Jigs. Inside, bass are taking live eels after dark, and under the bridge with soft plastics. On the blackfish front the opener was good… a lot of action, but only a handful of keepers. The shop has green crabs and clam in stock for blackfish daily.