Combs Bait and Tackle

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.

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.

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.

Bill Witchey from Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville told me the bass on the outside has been interesting: sometimes they are on a frenzy and other times they are not. It depends on boat traffic. Bass have been caught to 58 pounds. Anglers are using flutter spoons and live bunker. There has been success on the circle hook bunker snags which the shop carries. The important points to note are that each day is different, and that boat traffic can really affect this fishery. Once the traffic arrives, that can squash the bite. The bay has been quiet, with not much activity for bass or blackfish. Anglers reported decent activity by Kismet for tog. The ocean is producing more fish and better quality at wrecks such as the AB and Hempstead reefs. Green crabs are the go-to, and the shop has them. White crabs are available on special order. Visit the store at 34 Merrick Road, Amityville, NY.

Bill Witchey from Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville told me the bass on the outside has been interesting: sometimes they are on a frenzy and other times they are not. It depends on boat traffic. Bass have been caught to 58 pounds. Anglers are using flutter spoons and live bunker. There has been success on the circle hook bunker snags which the shop carries. The important points to note are that each day is different, and that boat traffic can really affect this fishery. Once the traffic arrives, that can squash the bite. The bay has been quiet, with not much activity for bass or blackfish. Anglers reported decent activity by Kismet for tog. The ocean is producing more fish and better quality at wrecks such as the AB and Hempstead reefs. Green crabs are the go-to, and the shop has them. White crabs are available on special order. Visit the store at 34 Merrick Road, Amityville, NY.