Long Island, Metro NY - West End Fishing Reports

Kathy at Freeport Bait and Tackle reported that the shop is fully stocked with all the tackle you need and fresh bait daily. (516) 378-4988.

Capt. Bob Schmitt of Sea Rogue Charters in Freeport said that dates are available so please call (516) 551-2177.

Over on the Super Hawk in Pt. Lookout Capt. Steve Kearney told me that the Mixed Bag Bonanza continued right up until the big blow over the weekend. The fares were decking fluke, sea bass, porgies, ling, cod, albies and bonito. The boat sails daily from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 6:00 p.m. Please call, or check the Facebook page for additional trip dates and times. Reservations are required for all trips. (516) 607-3004.

Paul McCain of River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin reported that on Tuesday and Wednesday most of the captains were able to get out and find some albies. However, the rest of the week they stayed at the dock. Paul got out early in the week with his wife and targeted the many snappers that are flooding the bays. They had nonstop action and some were 10 inches or better. Bluefish Joe reported that the fluke are starting to move out of the bays so the inlets are thick with them. Joe employed a John Skinner Technique with a bucktail and was into several fluke with a few keepers. The surf has been spotty but this heavy-duty blow just might kick things off. We can't do anything about the weather so we need to do the most when we have the opportunity.

The staff at Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reported that a few bass have been found in the bay areas. Blues are blitzing here and there. A handful of summer flatties are still available. (516) 766-3110.

I spoke to Capt. Nick Savene of No Time Charters in Oceanside and a charter for Phil, Tom and friends resulted in a dozen bass to 35 pounds taken on live bait with two slot keepers staying aboard. Dates are available for bass and blackfish so call (516) 662-6519.

I spoke to Capt. Dave Paris of the Captain Dave III in Sheepshead Bay and before the weekend?s nautical conditions the fares enjoyed some decent fluking at the Fisherman Buoy and the Mud Buoy. Tuna Specials are scheduled to sail on October 2nd and 8th. The boat sails at 8 a.m. daily for fluke. Night trips sail every Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. (917) 251-2628.

I heard from Capt. Tony Renda of the Reel Challenge/Ho Choy in Seaford and he has dates available so call (516) 541-2006.

Bill Witchey of Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville said that during the week, Fire Island Inlet was the hot spot for summer flatties. There were a good number of keepers with nice size fish to 6-pounds. The bottom of the outgoing tide provided the best results with a slower pick occurring on the incoming. The best method was to employ a plain jane rig with long leaders tipped with peanut bunker, sea robin belly, squid or spearing. Anglers targeting fluke at the Wantagh or Meadowbrook Bridge complained that they were harassed by blues before their baits could hit bottom. Very few offshore fluke reports came in due to sea conditions. Before the wind blasts over the weekend, the fall smorgasbord was in full production with sea bass, blowfish, kingfish, porgies and blues. The one big difference was larger blowfish and a significant increase in the number of Virginia spots. If you work the bottom, take chum, clams and Fish Bites. Bass are starting to get active as the water temps have dropped to 66 degrees. Target them in the early morning or evening with surface poppers. A shop regular used live bunker at Shinnecock Inlet and scored on bass to 53 pounds. It?s a good time to take your children to the docks and piers. The snappers are getting larger, and blowfish can be found at every dock along the South Shore. Bill has received a new shipment of the All-Pro Flutter Spoons for bass in a variety of colors as well as the All-Pro Slow Pitch Jigs for sea bass. Drop by and check them out. The shop has clams, clam bellies, Peruvian spearing, regular spearing, squid, small whole mackerel, quart size clam and bunker chum, sandworms and Fish Bites. If you need your clam bellies thawed, please call ahead. The hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. (631) 264-3525.

I heard from Capt. Vinnie Calabro of Karen Ann Charters in Howard Beach and Jamaica Bay is alive and kicking with action. The daily trips have anglers connecting with nice weakfish, schoolie bass and blues. Vinnie is running a J Bay Special and accepting reservations for the fall season. The boat sails every day. Please call the captain at (516) 728-6952.

I spoke to Victor at the LI Outdoorsman in Rockville Centre and some fluke are still hanging around. Blues are running around the bay and inlets. Bass are regaining their appetites and roaming the back bays. (516) 678-5554.