Long Island, Metro NY - West End Fishing Reports

Jack at Jones Beach Bait and Tackle at Jones Beach reported a lot of dogs, plus the fluke action has been good, with shorts and a handful of keepers. Small cocktail blues were just off the docks as well.

The news from Capitol Tackle in Freeport is fluke action in the bay has been good with a lot of short life and some keepers in the mix. The Reynolds Channel area has been the hot spot for party boats and local anglers. The local reefs and wrecks are producing sea bass and the bite has been pretty solid.

Capt. Mike Danon of the Capt. Lou Fleet in Freeport told me there was a lot of action this week with fluke. Fares on board had fish to 6 pounds. Striped bass and bluefish action was great on the Mama Lou. Reserve now, as there is still plenty of room for Father’s Day!

Capt. Bob of Sea Rogue Charters in Freeport told me that he did a few fluke trips in the bay. Doug reported a lot of short life but enough keepers so everyone is taking home a few fish. On Friday three fares had 8 keepers. Sea bass fishing is improving on local structure, with the 50 to 80-foot depths the hot spot. Along with sea bass, plenty of ling are taking baits, and porgies are beginning to show too. And, fluke have also made a showing in the ocean too. The ocean bottom fishing will only be getting better.

Over on the Super Hawk in Pt. Lookout the word from Capt. Steve Kearney was that the fishing has been good in general. The boat is running a split schedule with certain trips in the bay for fluke, which has been good with Fish up to 8-1/2 pounds. On other days, they hit the ocean for a mixed bag of sea bass, which is also been pretty good. The best thing to do would be to the check the website or Facebook to find their current schedule or call Capt. Steve at 516-607-3004.

I heard from Paul McCain at River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin and he reported that saltwater fly fishing around Long Island continues to produce some impressive catches, with large striped bass being landed from the surf, back bays, and along the North and South Shores. While the presence of quality fish is encouraging, the noticeable lack of smaller schoolie bass remains a concern for many anglers. Small bluefish have finally begun showing up in the back bays, providing some welcome action, but larger bluefish are still notably absent. Much of this unusual pattern can likely be attributed to water temperatures that remain cooler than average for this time of year, delaying the arrival and distribution of bait and predator species throughout the region. On a positive note, fly anglers targeting fluke are reporting increasing success, and fly-rodding for fluke is starting to take off as more fish move into the bays and nearshore waters. With warming temperatures ahead, anglers are hopeful that both the striper and bluefish fisheries will continue to improve in the coming weeks.

The staff at Bay Park Fishing in Oceanside reported fluke action is still best in Reynolds Channel. The best fluke bite has been best spearing and squid. On the bass front, best action has been near the Pink Hotel. The best bass bite has been on Mojo’s trolled.

Capt. Dave Paris of the Captain Dave III in Sheepshead Bay told me that there is a lot of action on the fluke front, but the keepers are tough to come by. The boat is fishing from Sea Bright to the Verrazano Bridge. Dave also said there is no need for specialty tackle as standard spearing and squid has worked the best. On Friday, Richie had a nice 5-pound fluke for the table. Saturday’s fluke action Was slow so they headed out farther and got in solid large ling fishing with big sea bass. The boat sails daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, drop Dave a line at 917-251-2628.

Over at South Shore Marine in Massapequa I learned from Phil said the fluke action is good, but anglers are reporting nothing but shorts. On the bass front, it is a good bite but the same holds – no keepers but a lot of undersize fish and a lot of over size.

I spoke to Bill Witchey at Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville and he reported inconsistent fluke action in the bay. The biggest inconsistency is not so much size and amount, it’s when will they bite. One day the start of the out will be best. Come back the next day, same tide, same location and you cannot sniff a fish. However, overall, the action is progressing in the right direction. Slip gut is definitely a factor, and dogs are snatching baits too. On the color front, green seems to be best “today” for fluke, with the outgoing current. Blues are scattered at all the bridge areas day or night with tins and poppers best. A few weakfish are being caught as a by catch by fluke anglers donning bucktails and squid. Bass action is good on the outgoing, providing the weed is minimal, with bellies and clam chum. The outside sea bass action was still on the slow side, but Cholera is making it worth the while. Ling are also active, with an occasional fluke. Larger sea bass have been caught on the jig. Trolling action is quiet on the bass front. When you come to the shop don’t forget to sign up for Combs Bend Your Rod Club. The Membership Fee is only $25 and entitles you to a 10 percent discount on all bait and tackle. You will also receive a free entry in the shop’s Monthly Fluke Derby. Sign-ups for the Duke of Fluke Tournament will begin on June 12th. The shop has clams, clam bellies, clam chum, and flash frozen bunker available. Fluke anglers can purchase local spearing, Canadian spearing, hand cut squid strips, and local squid. The shop’s hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. (631) 264-3525.

From Rob at the LI Outdoorsman, I heard the fluke action has been best at Reynolds Channel and the inlet area. Earlier in the week, Rob Jr had keepers to 21 inches in the bay. Cocktail blues are also running the bay. On the bass front, the bay action is good along the marsh banks with plugs. Stripers are also taking clams and bucktails at the bridges. Sea bass can be had off the reef, but you have to pick through shorts for keepers. There have been reports of bluefin on the bunker pods.