October 12, 2026 - 10:37:48
Rich from Dick’s Bait and Tackle reported that striped bass are spread throughout the Smith Point shoreline, from the inlet westward and continuing along the beaches of Fire Island National Seashore. Many of the fish being encountered are above the legal slot limit, providing excellent catch-and-release action for surfcasters. Frank Pero landed a 22-pound striper in front of FINS on a diamond jig, while Bruce Roman connected with a similar-sized fish in the same general area, also using a diamond jig. Bucktails, SP Minnows, Mag Darters and Hydro Minnows have all been producing, with the bass feeding on a variety of baitfish. Rich also heard that bottle plugs have been especially productive after dark, when some of the larger fish have been moving into the wash. Anglers willing to cover some beach and locate concentrations of bait have been finding the most consistent action.
October 12, 2026 - 10:37:32
In from Richie at Dick's B&T in Mastic Beach we learned of a lot of oversize bass in the inlet up until Wednesday. Live snapper and shad were the best producers, with anglers catching on spot too. Later in the week, the inlet got quiet with fish moving down the beach. Surfcasters and boaters did well on bass using SP Minnows, Diamond Jigs and Yo-Zuri plugs had them right on the beach. As fluke season wound down, Rick and Linda fished buoy 9 earlier in the week and scored with fluke all day long, and drilled a nice 22-inch keeper, which they also released. Blackfish season opens the 15th, as the commercial anglers are already reporting catches in pots. There is a lot of rain bait, so throwing a small epoxy rig should produce bass too.
October 05, 2026 - 10:48:43
From Capt. Paul Nilsson of Just One Bite Charters in Center Moriches I heard the storm has passed and the bass have shown up at Moriches. The incoming tide has been very productive with live bait and artificial as well. Paul has yet to get a slot fish this week, it has been all catch and release with fish to 41 inches. Tuesday Al and his friend Steve landed 18 bass. Most were caught on spot, with a few on bucktails. Wednesday was the same story just a different day, bass to 40 inches until the arms got tired. Thursday Paul had a few hours mid-day to test the waters. He got to the inlet for 9:45 and it was bass every drift, and Paul headed off the water at 11:30 with 6 fish netted with a few others dropped boat side. On Friday John and Pablo came out for a few hours. The bite started off slower than Thursday but the switch was flipped and it was every drift with a hookup. Heading back to the dock for 12:00 with 10 fish in the net and numerous run offs that didn’t see the net.
