EXECUTION ROCK, NY

In 1850 a light station was established on a rocky reef in the western Sound off of Sands Point. The lighthouse sits atop Execution Rock and hence came to be known as Execution Light. According to Capt. Rich Tenreiro of the Port Washington based Angler Fleet, Execution Rock is home to some wild striped bass, bluefish and blackfish action throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Rich says that the action begins in early May as stripers move onto the rocky structure surrounding the light in 40 to 60 feet of water. Anchoring and chunking fresh bunker during an ebb tide will produce the best results, however, drifting fresh bunker chunks on 3×3 rigs or working bucktails tipped with pork rind can also prove productive.

From July to the end of the season, porgy fans will find solid action anywhere from the shoals of the reef on out to 60 feet of water. Anchoring over any solid piece of structure and applying a chum pot or two of frozen clam chum along with applying clam strips to porgy rigs should provide all the action you want with mixed size scup.

Throughout the summer and fall, bluefish are likely to pop up in the area at any given time. Those who chunk fresh bunker looking for bass often score big. Tins and spoons will also take their share of choppers as well.

Fall spells blackfish and according to Rich, the rocky pieces in 35 to 45 feet of water hold plenty of good size tog as does the reef itself. Green, fiddler, and hermit crabs all account for good catches. Plan on bringing plenty of extra rigs and sinkers, as the bottom can be quite sticky.

While just about any piece of structure that surrounds Execution Rock can be productive, Rich recommends fishing along the south side of the area on the deep sides of high spots or along the drop-off or ledges.

Rich says the key to success while fishing Execution Rock is fishing the area on the ebb tide; the water moves faster during this phase resulting in a better bite. In addition, regardless of the strength of the current, 3 to 6 ounces of lead is all that is required to hold bottom here.