Long Island, Metro NY - West End Fishing Reports

Logan from Capitol Tackle in Freeport said the bass fishing has been very good. Blackfishing was not where it should be. Hopefully the weather continues to bring the temperature down for improved fishing. Big bluefin tuna have moved into the area. Capitol Tackle can meet your needs. Visit at 495 Guy Lombardo Avenue, Freeport, NY.

Capt. Mike Danon of the Capt. Lou Fleet in Freeport reported striped bass fishing is excellent. There are more and more slots showing up each day. Diamond jigs, paddle tails, and flutter spoons are all working well. Sea bass fishing remains excellent. Porgies are also being caught. Blackfishing has had lots of action locally, with fish up to 7 pounds this week. Book online and check the Facebook page for more dates and details. Visit the website at www.captloufleet.com.

Captain Doug from Corazon Fishing Charters out of Freeport told me striped bass fishing is epic. They are back in their expected fall pattern of some of the best fishing in the Northeast. They are catching over 30 fish a day on every way imaginable: bait, lures, jigs. Doug is starting to target giant bluefin as they have settled in the area. You can call Doug at 917-566-9345.

Freeport Bait and Tackle an angler had caught a 28-inch blackfish this week. People are catching tog by the Point Lookout bridge and the Meadowbrook bridge. The ocean is holding blackfish by AB reef. There are slot sized stripers that moved in and anglers are finding success on mojos and live bunker. Soft plastics by the bridge are also working. The shop received no news of bluefish, but there are sand sharks and dogfish as well as larger sharks like threshers. The shop is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. Blackfish jigs and rigs are stocked. Eels and fresh bunker are readily available at the shop. Blood and sandworms are available for another week. You can call at 516-378-4988.

Captain Paul Paris and Captain AJ Coleman of Keel Hauler charters in Freeport have open boat days for blackfish on November 14, 21, 26 and 28 departing at 6 a.m. and returning at 2 p.m. All trips are limited to six persons. For more your next fishing adventure, give Captain Paul a dial or text him at 631-827-5269.

Capt. Bob of Sea Rogue Charters in Freeport did a few tog trips this week with plenty of short life. Anglers had to work for their keepers. He had fish to 6 pounds this week. On the other hand, bass fishing was excellent with big fish to 30 plus pounds on live bunker off the beach. There were a few small sea bass inshore, though most have moved off to deeper waters. Big threshers were in the bunker pods a few days ago. Check the Facebook page for updated dates and information. Dial Captain Bob at 516-551-2177.

Captain Steve Kearney from the Super Hawk in Pt. Lookout reported that most of this week was spent on the 5 a.m. wreck trips for sea bass and porgies. The fishing has been very good. Tuesday’s trip had a bunch of bonito mixed in. Special 5 a.m. offshore wreck trips are set for November 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 27. 4 a.m. offshore wreck trips are scheduled for November 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, and 29. November 12, 17, 19, 24, and 30 and December 2, 9, 16, and 22 are dedicated to the 6 a.m. limited blackfish trips. The Super Hawk departs daily through January 1 from 1501 Lido Boulevard, Point Lookout, NY. Reservations are required by giving a dial at 516-607-3004 and people can always check the Facebook page or the website at www.superhawkfishing.com.

Paul from River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin told me the saltwater fishing is still holding on Long Island, and November is when things can get really interesting. The fall migration is in full swing, with stripers moving along the beaches, through the inlets and into the back bays as they follow the remaining bait. The best reports are coming from the central and western South Shore, where bass are pushing through on bunker, sand eels and squid. Jones Beach, Fire Island, Democrat Point and Cedar Beach are all worth watching. The surf bite has been inconsistent, but when the fish show, there have been some excellent opportunities, particularly around first light and after dark. Keep moving, watch for birds and bait, and don't be afraid to cover some water. On the fly, big bunker patterns, Deceivers, Hollow Fleyes and large flatwings are good choices when fish are feeding on bigger bait. When they're keyed in on sand eels, switch to slimmer profiles and smaller patterns. Intermediate and sinking lines will help get your fly down when the fish aren't showing on top. The western South Shore bays are also holding stripers, with plenty of bait around and some good opportunities for anglers working the channels, bridges and back-bay edges on moving water. The North Shore harbors and beaches are producing schoolie bass, with some better fish mixed in around squid and spearing. Out east, Montauk is still producing stripers around the Point and the rips, with bluefish occasionally mixed in. Big albies have also made another appearance, chasing halfbeaks and peanut bunker, so keep that 9-weight rigged with a sinking line and a selection of small baitfish patterns. There is still plenty of fall fishing left, but the window is moving quickly. Pay attention to the tides, wind and bait, and be ready to change flies when you find feeding fish. This is the time of year to put in the hours and keep moving until you find them. Stop by River Bay Outfitters to stock up on your fall striper flies, leaders and lines. We're here to help you get dialed in. Sign up for our newsletter at riverbayoutfitters.com so you don't miss our upcoming meetups, trips and events!

Bay Park Fishing in Oceanside said the late morning on Tuesday and Wednesday had thick bass on the beaches. The number of bass this week was incredible. Long Beach and Atlantic Beach were popular stretches. Flutter spoons have been working well. Shore anglers are able to reach them. Blackfishing is ok, not great. The shop is well stocked with crabs. Come by Bay Park Fishing Station for more information and visit the Instagram page @bayparkfishingstation.

Capt. Nick Savene of No Time Charters in Oceanside had great bass fishing on live bunker for Bob Klein and crew, and Anthony Julian and friends. There were many releases with fish up to 40 pounds. Nick is taking striped bass and blackfish reservations for the season. Call Captain Nick at 516-662-6519.

Capt. Dave Paris of the Captain Dave III in Sheepshead Bay reported he did not get out all week, but Saturday and Sunday were great. Anglers had many keepers up to 6 pounds with plenty of shorts. Mostly rigs have been producing on green crabs. There is plenty of room along the rails. Trips continue to be daily for blackfish running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Give Captain Dave a dial at 917-251-2628 or book online with Fare Harbor.

Captain Tom at Black Bottom Charters in Seaford completed maintenance on the boat this week. He has open boat trips on November 14 and 15 for ocean blackfishing. You can call Tommy to book a charter at 516-661-2770.

South Shore Marine in Massapequa told me the bass are doing well out of Jones inlet. Anglers are throwing diamond jigs and live bunker. Everyone seems to be taking them on instead of the blackfish. Blackfish has not been that great locally. It is scratchy bite. The store has plenty of green crabs. If you’re thinking of pulling your boat from the water, the store does carry the shrink wrapping. Visit the store at 4108 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY.

Bill Witchey from Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville reported the bass front ranged good to epic this week, as was mentioned by anglers on Saturday. There were plenty of slot fish, and big fish to the 40-inch range. They ate diamond jigs and flutter spoons, but to some it didn’t matter what was in the water: the bass hit all everything in the early morning outside the inlet. After a few hours, the bass dissipated. Every day is different. Anglers observed the bass pushing down the beach. Surfcasters connected in Field 6 and Robert Moses beaches. From boats, the occasional the flutter spoons were eaten by bluefin tuna resulting in spool offs. These tunas were estimated to be between 100-to-200-pound fish. Boaters also saw whales and porpoises. Blackfishing was a so-so week on the outside. Some fishermen connected while others didn’t. Atlantic Beach, McAllister, Hempstead, and Fire Island reefs produced a bite and keepers. Bill did note for improved bay tog fishing with water temperatures dropping. This resulted in more keepers at local bridges with fish up to 20 inches. He suggested not to give up in the bay just yet, with a potential late run of fish. Sea bass fishing is contained where mostly party boat anglers are travelling off to deeper waters fishing clams. The shop is now closed on Mondays. Visit the store at 34 Merrick Road, Amityville, NY.

Luis at the LI Outdoorsman told me flutter spoons and glide baits are working well for the large body of bass that have moved into the area. Oddly enough, he received reports that livelined bunker was proving to be less effective for some anglers. Anglers reported some bass near the beaches within casting distance. Blackfish has been on and off. Inside the bay it has been tough to find keepers. By the reefs on the outside, there are decent fish. Bites were proving to be infrequent, but blackfish up to 8 pounds were caught. The store has green crabs and live eels in stock. Stop on in at 434 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, NY.