The structures of the jetty attracts a myriad of baitfish and a host of game and bottom dwelling species through the course of the season, which is beneficial to both surfcasters and boating anglers alike.
Breezy Point is the terminus of the Rockaway Peninsula. It consists predominantly of dune/beach shoreline terrain, with a rock jetty at the tip of the point that extends outward well into the ocean. This famous stretch of boulders has become widely known as the Breezy Point Jetty.
Although the jetty is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, the town of Breezy Point is tightly knit by residents and is not overjoyed by out of town visitors. Therefore make sure to keep the area tidy and there should be no problems. There is a guard gate at the end of the road and unless you have a 4-wheel drive and a permit, you will not be permitted on the beach. For anglers willing to hike roughly a half hour to the jetty, there is a “Commoner” parking lot where you can park and walk to the jetty. A permit is required for the parking lot as well for beach access which can easily be obtained at the Fort Tilden Visitor Center just down the block, or call (718) 338-3338 for info to find other Federal Stations where parking and beach permits can be purchased to fish this wealth of fishing opportunities and to check on current access restrictions.
To get to the Breezy Point Jetty, take the Belt Parkway to Exit 11S (Flatbush Ave.) and cross over the Marine Parkway Bridge. Once you cross over the bridge, bear right and take the road to the end.
The structures of the jetty attracts a myriad of baitfish and a host of game and bottom dwelling species through the course of the season, which is beneficial to both surfcasters and boating anglers alike. However this area is truly a surf fisherman’s dream as the implementation of permits, and the prohibition of swimming at the jetty generally keep the beach going crowds away.
Just like most of the south shore inlets that line Long Island, the bottom contour at Breezy Point consists of sand. However, since the rocks are tightly clustered, they create all kinds of eddies and rip patterns during a moving tide, which is a death sentence for forage baitfish.
The action explodes beginning in May with the arrival of fluke, weakfish, stripers and blues. Shore bound anglers will score well casting on either side of the jetty where plugs, bucktails and soft body plastics are successfully employed on the fabulous four gamesters. Particularly during the end of the tides as the current is slacking.
Sinker bouncers looking for a tasty treat may score well with kingfish from the beach or casting away from the rocks from July through October, along with just about anything from scup to black drum potentially mixing into the catch. Standard hi-lo porgy and tandem tied rigs baited with squid, worms or clam often puts a nice catch together for a family dinner or two of assorted species.
Fall signifies some serious explosive action with both the gamesters and the speedsters as bonito and false albacore are added to the menu. Tins and spoons such as Deadly Dicks, Hogy Epoxy Jigs, Yo Zuri Crystal Minnows, Swedish Pimples, Crocodiles, Need-L-Fish and assorted imitation flies will certainly dupe the speedsters.
While the fishing can be exceptional here, safety should be your priority. Make sure your waders or boots are equipped with corkers or metal studs. Watch the breakers and when it gets downright nasty stay away from the water line. Too many anglers have been swept off this jetty over the years and perished. Therefore use common sense.
