Long Island, Metro NY - South Shore Fishing Reports

Richie at Dick's B&T in Mastic Beach reported that after the week ago storm, action seemed to taper off a bit. This past week, there was a lot of 30 to 31-inch bass. Earlier in the week, a lot of larger fish were caught. If you want a slot size bass, now is the time. On the blackfish front, the current and weed has made action a bit difficulty. On the bright side, fishing the slower tides has produced keepers and shorts. With more stable weather coming in, the action on both should bounce back.

At Smith Point Beach Bait and Tackle, Terrence reported again this week the bass action was good in Moriches Inlet with live spot accounting for over the slot fish. Blackfish action has been slow in Moriches Inlet.

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said stripers and blue are starting to show at all the inlets and those using clam or drifting live eels are having great success. Any of the bridges will also hold fish in the evening throughout the night and early morning. Over this past week we’ve also heard amazing reports of stripers off of Davis Park on the inside and offshore, using Diamond Jigs. Cupsogue Beach County Park is coming back with a good report of a lot of slot sized stripers using bucktails, brighter the color the better the bite! Blackfish have been sticking close to the shore. Even though the water has been fairly warm, Blackfish jigs and rigs baited with crabs have both been doing very well. Patchogue locals went hunting for some shore-bound blackfish on the North Shore this week. The report was of a limit of fish up to 18 inches. The fish were responding well to both jigs and rigs tipped with greens. Weakfish are not out of the question this time of year as well, you can try to catch them with squid strips, clam and artificials such as Bass Assassins and Gulp baits. As the water gets colder, we should see an increase in activity on the wrecks and artificial reefs. Bottom fishing is excellent as well. Jumbo porgies and "knob-head" sea bass are all sure bets along with blackfish and ling.

Down the road at Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale, Billy reported the fall run is going strong, with striper reports from boat and surf anglers coming in hot. From the shop’s boat guys we heard fish of all sizes coming up. There are a lot of 40-plus-inch fish and quite a good number of schoolies, though far fewer than we should be seeing. SP Minnows, poppers, glide baits, and swimbaits are the lures of choice. If you’re fishing bait, a live eel or bunker is hard to beat. Tog action is red hot, and they're crunching green crabs like crazy. The local rock piles are holding some good fish; the wrecks and reefs outside are loaded up with tog and sea bass as well. Drop a crab down on a rig or jig, and it's lights out. From the surf he said “My fellow rats and I are having a great time. Conditions have been perfect this fall, and some quality fish are showing up close to shore. We’re fishing big lures like darters, bottle plugs, needlefish, and glide baits, along with heavier offerings like bucktails, diamond jigs, and swimbaits. Every tide is different, so learning the water and putting in the time and effort are key. We’re seeing a lot of 10- to 15-pound fish, a solid number of 20- to 30-pounders, and some real surf giants coming through for the guys putting in serious work.”

At Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip I heard bass action remained rock solid in the bay and ocean with Saturday the only exception. Blackfish action has been good in the ocean, with the bay seeing a lot of smaller fish. Sea bass action on the deeper pieces has been good as well. Anglers clam chumming stripers have scored well in the bay on keeper size fish and over the slot.

From Captain Patrick on the Capt. Gillen we hear that a few bass finally made an appearance on Sunday with one slot in the mix for Lou. Others who brought up stripers this week are Ed, Al, and Charlie, with all non-slots being returned to the water. They are sailing at 11 a.m. during the week and at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for striped bass. Reservations highly recommended for all trips; bass trips are sailing with a limited capacity. Reduced fares for seniors, veterans, active military, first responders. 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 early on in the Fred Golofaro Memorial South Shore Fishing Classic, the top dog was a nice 41-inch bass caught on a Diamond Jig. As for boaters, there is a lot of blackfish action in the bay and ocean. There are still some larger bass in the ocean, but you definitely have to locate bait – sand eels or bunker before you find fish.

Capt. Walter on the Fishfinder II reported the bass action was very tough this past week. The boat remained tied up for the better part. There are some bunker around, so the daytime bite could bounce back as the seas settle this coming week. The positive was the few night trips produced okay on live eels with fish to 25 pounds.

On the King Cod VII out of Captree I heard from Capt. Joe reported that the ocean blackfishing was fair on the reefs when the boat got back out after the mid-week blow. Fares saw keepers to 7 pounds, just not enough yet. Sulio from Captree Bait and Tackle was onboard Saturday and managed two nice keepers to go along with a pile of shorts released. There has been some XL triggerfish, and a handful of keeper sea bass mixed in. Fishing is definitely on the upswing. A few more cool nights and dropping water temperatures should heat the fishing up rapidly. The boat is locked and loaded with the finest crabs available. They sail daily 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the far right side of the dock. Crowds have been very light during the week and the weather forecast is looking good. Text Capt. Joe at 631-605-1404 to reserve.

On the Laura Lee Fleet out of Captree, Capt. Kenny reported there is a decent blackfish bite inside the bay, but bass by day got really slow on the days leading up to the weekend. Night stripers remain okay.

At Bergen Bay Docks in West Babylon, Nick reported a lot of bass inside the inlet where the best bite has been on live spot. Some anglers hit the ocean, but it was a lot of gas used to hopefully find a few. Bunker are scarce, but if you use your electronics and find sand eel pods, you can jig bass. Blackfish action has been best in the bay, with a mix of keepers and shorts. The ocean has been kind of snotty so blackfish action should be better out there as the seas calm a bit.

On Taylor Renee Charters out of Babylon I heard from Capt. Mike who reported spotty bass action along the beaches but when they’re chewing it’s lights out. Blackfish is slow with the majority being short fish. Night hours have produced best for bass under bridges and near 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 Saturday was a gorgeous day, and very few bass were caught. However, the earlier stages of the week saw great action on bass – inside and out. The ocean bite has been centered around bunker pods and send eel masses. Night bass action on live eels is hot, with soft plastics accounting for action too at the bridges. Blackfish action has been good at the bridges and piers inside the bay with keepers and shorts on green crabs. On the outside blackfish, with triggerfish and sea bass have all been caught. There are still plenty of blue claw crabs in the bay if you want them!