Long Island, Metro NY - West End Fishing Reports

Jaslene from Jones Beach Bait and Tackle at Jones Beach saw that many anglers have been catching norther pufferfish, and reported that blue claw crabs are still at the piers. Jack mentioned Riley did well at the piers with two 21-inch fluke. The day before Riley and his catches, an angler caught a 20-inch fluke. Anglers have also caught fluke, sea bass, and a variety of baitfish such as spearing, bunker, and even a stray juvenile lizardfish. She also let me know that Monday September 7, 2026 will be the last day the shop is open for the season. Their sister shop at Captree will have a longer schedule through the fall.

Logan from Capitol Tackle in Freeport said similar to last week, there hasn’t been much word on the cobia, however, there are still a lot of sharks. Anglers targeting blue fin and yellow fin are having some success. Capitol Tackle can meet your needs. Visit at 495 Guy Lombardo Avenue, Freeport, NY.

Capt. Mike Danon of the Capt. Lou Fleet in Freeport saw that fluke fishing remains very good with super action. The full day fluke special is very good with fish up to 6 pounds. Wild Wednesdays are now in the mornings departing at 7 a.m. which are seeing a mixed bag of fish including bonito, bluefish, triggerfish, porgies. They are taking tuna trips reservations for September. Check out the website at www.captloufleet.com.

Captain Doug from Corazon Fishing Charters out of Freeport reinforced that they are dialed into the amazing August fishing. They are catching fluke, sea bass, bonito, false albacore, and bluefin tuna. The tuna made an appearance a week ago, and they have been connecting with them in their mixed day trips. Small feathers have worked the best. The fluke are August jumbos, as anticipated. Fishbite grubs in the 5 and 6 inch range are producing in all colors. Doug expects the fishing to stay strong until the first September storm, and ne noted none are in sight at this time.

Freeport Bait and Tackle told me that the Cholera has fluke and sea bass reaching the right size. Albies and bonito are also at that area. The Hempstead reef does have fish, but it was a slower pick. The shop was advised by a local angler that there are more fish out deep. Green resin jigs were working on sea bass. The West End 2 continues to see Spanish mackerel and albies. In the bay, blue claws are still around and the snapper are getting bigger. The Freeport crowd is seeing them locally. Green Island had mixed reports, with some anglers saying there were stripers while others did not see any. The consistent word was that bluefish were there. Peanut bunker is available at the shop periodically and eels are readily available. The shop carries a good supply of hand traps, rings, and pots. Green crabs are also available by special order. Sand/mole crabs and mullet are in stock as well. Freeport B&T is also now taking orders on custom rods and heavy-duty shark rigs are available for the surf fishermen. The shop has UVT tuna jigs. You can call at 516-378-4988.

Captain Paul Paris and Captain AJ Coleman of Keel Hauler charters in Freeport had a sea bass trip on Friday. The Keel Hauler is a 42 foot Downeaster with Captains Paul Paris, AJ Coleman, and DJ who bring a lifetime of experience fishing in the Northeast. All trips are limited to 6 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 reported lots of mixed bag fishing where anglers have caught fluke, sea bass, triggerfish and porgies. Weather windows play a factor, and Bob capitalizes on those windows targeting small pieces. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday saw 12, 10, and 8 keeper fluke to 6 pounds, respectively. During very windy days, bay trips continue to produce bluefish, and an occasional fluke. This week’s bay trip saw the keeper caught on a diamond jig. On occasion, anglers cancel and spots do open up. 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 continues to catch fluke, sea bass, triggerfish, and porgies. There is also albacore and bonito at times. As always, the Super Hawk and its crew specialize in family and beginner friendly fishing. They take extra time to teach and show the fun of fishing. The Super Hawk departs from 1501 Lido Boulevard, Point Lookout, NY every day from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended by giving a dial at 516-607-3004.

Paul from River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin told me September is here, and the first signs of the fall run are starting to show. Bonito and Spanish mackerel are becoming more common, with small bonito showing up along the Sound and East End, making for some exciting light-tackle and fly fishing. Small epoxy flies, baitfish patterns, and slim-profile flies should be good choices when these fast-moving fish show up. False albacore are starting to make their presence known in the region, and it shouldn't be long before we see more consistent numbers around Montauk and the eastern end. Bluefish are increasing in both size and numbers, with fish showing around the inlets and along the ocean beaches. There are also plenty of small baitfish around, including bay anchovies, spearing and peanut bunker, which should help get the fall striper bite going. Schoolie stripers are beginning to show in some areas, and the bass fishing should improve as water temperatures continue to drop. Fluke are still available around the inlets, flats and beaches, although the season is beginning to wind down. There are still plenty of shorts around, with some better fish mixed in. For the fly angler, this is a good time to work deeper edges and moving water with weighted baitfish and fluke patterns. Overall, we're heading into one of my favorite times of year for saltwater fly fishing. Cooler nights, dropping water temperatures and increasing amounts of bait should bring more activity to the beaches and bays. Keep an eye out for birds, surface activity and concentrations of bait—when the bonito, albies, blues and stripers start keying on the same schools of bait, things can get very exciting. The next few weeks should only get better as we move toward the fall run.

At Bay Park Fishing in Oceanside, I was told that fluking has been rough inshore. Anglers who reported their catch saw better quality in the bay with live peanut bunker to cull out larger fish. Sea bass fishing has been decent at the reefs. There are a bunch of blues in the bay all over. Albies and bonito have been seen right outside of the inlet. The Windmills have also been holding albies and bonito in addition to triggerfish, mahi, and small blue fin tuna. Overall, tuna has not been productive. The shop did not receive word on cobia, though they anticipate next week may be some of the last opportunities at them. In other news, there are still plenty of sharks right off the beach and a handful are seen in the bay towards Hewlitt. Juvenile bull sharks were reported. On the bait scene, the bay is loaded with peanut bunker – as many peanuts as you can get, however, they have not seen any mullet running yet. Come by Bay Park Fishing Station for more information and visit the Instagram page @bayparkfishingstation.

Capt. Dave Paris of the Captain Dave III in Sheepshead Bay continues to see plenty of fluke and sea bass. Some days, anglers are seeing double headers and the occasional stray bluefish. Fluke have been in the 4 to 5-pound range. Trips continue to be daily with fluke running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. He targets bluefish Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. until November. Give Captain Dave a dial at 917-251-2628 or book online with Fare Harbor.

Captain Tom at Black Bottom Charters in Seaford said the ocean bite inshore has become spotty at times and the fish seem to moving out as the deeper bite was better. There was a boat limit over the weekend, and he will not be sailing the weekend of September 11, 2026 in observance of the twenty-fifth anniversary of 9/11. There will be a wreath ceremony on Sunday September 13, 2026 with the Coast Guard in attendance with many firemen. A 21 gun salute by military color guard on the water by the Jones Beach Coast Guard Station shall also be part of the ceremony. Please check the Facebook for additional details. You can call Tommy to book a charter at 516-661-2770.

South Shore Marine in Massapequa wished everyone a happy Labor Day Weekend. Visit the store at 4108 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY.

Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville has your angling supplies including fresh and frozen baits, rods, reels, and tackle. The store is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Saturdays and Sundays the store is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., respectively. Visit the store at 34 Merrick Road, Amityville, NY.

The guys over at the LI Outdoorsman reported that there were a considerable amount of short sea bass and fluke, and that keepers were difficult to find. Size limits proved to be a challenge. By the inlets, there were some blues, bonito and albies. Tuna has been spotty and the canyon has not been producing. Not much news in the Long Island bays, however, Jamaica bay has had an exceptional year. Anglers in that region are catching weakfish, big sheepsheads, croakers and spot. At the inshore and offshore wrecks including the Windmills, bottom fishing is good, but keepers are hard to come by. There was one good day of cobia about a week ago, but not much has been reported since then. That day it seemed like everyone caught, then they disappeared. An angler was fishing the pods for cobia, and he had 3 sharks. These days, they are mostly brown sharks. No spinner sharks were sighted. Bait is scarce, and the bunker is small. It was not a river of bunker that is usually seen. Anglers have reported difficulty in finding a good amount of peanuts in the bay and marina. Bunker on the outside are four to five inches. Inshore, anglers are seeing small bluefish while the offshore is producing large bluefish. They have not heard much on the snapper fishery or any kingfish. Stop on in at 434 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, NY.