PORT JEFFERSON HARBOR, NY
One of the largest harbors on Long Island’s North Shore, Port Jefferson is well protected from wind from virtually any direction. The harbor offers anglers a chance to catch striped bass, bluefish, porgies, snappers and sometimes even flounder and fluke.
There is a Brookhaven Town Launch ramp at the end of Route 112, and the best source of info is Caraftis Fishing Station (right next to the launch ramp). Caraftis has all the bait and tackle you will need, and rents skiffs daily. The harbor also is home to the Port Jeff-to-Connecticut ferry service, so needless to say, give them a wide berth and stay out of their path when drifting or anchoring. Accessing Port Jeff Harbor by land is simply a matter of following Route 112 north to its end from any major east/west highway. The harbor will be right in front of you.
According to Candy at Caraftis, porgy anglers can score in the deeper water near the buoys or by working some of the holes located throughout the harbor. A good chart will get you close, and then rely on your electronics to anchor up. For real sharpies, use your electronics to locate schools of porgies hiding near underwater rocks, ledges or small reefs. On the bait end, nothing beats sandworms or clams, with a pot of clam chum a big plus. As recently as early July, reports of porgies to 2 pounds were filtering in from inside the harbor.
If you like bluefish, then this is an ideal playground for you. This harbor is similar to most on the North Shore in that blues will frequently raid these protected waters in search of bait. These raids, most often inspired by schools of bunker, are a possibility at anytime from late May through September. Choppers in the teen class are not uncommon and at times will be close to the town launch area raiding schools of bunker. Most anglers will use frozen bunker chunks, but fresh bunker will always produce better. Live-lining bunker will often account for larger blues and occasionally a big striper. The waters inside the harbor are known to produce bass into the 20-pound class, but most of the fish will be teen-size and smaller.
Another option is to work plugs along the banks of the harbor in the early morning for some fun topwater action. The banks are loaded with grass lines and if you can find a line that is just below the surface, try ripping a small Bill Lewis Rattle Trap across the tops. Bass will come charging at this offering. Another great way to score with striped bass is worm trolling. Most tackle shops carry worm trolling rigs, which consist of a spinner blade and a pair of 4/0 hooks in tandem. Put a large sandworm on each hook and try hooking it as close to the pinchers as possible – the worm will stay on the hook better. For weight, 1 to 1-1/2 ounces will be all you need. A medium rod rated for 15 to 20-pound test will work fine, with 15 to 20-pound mono or braid spooled on your reel.
Some areas worth exploring with a worm rig in tow include the eastern shoreline in 10 to 15 feet of water. A good second choice would be the channel behind Oldfield Beach leading to Conscience Bay.
The harbor does have one drawback as far as fishing is concerned – it is also one of the busiest and sees lots of recreational use, especially on weekends during the summer months. As a result, try to limit your fishing to the early morning or evening hours. If worm trolling is your cup of tea, the best time is false dawn for about two hours thereafter. And, speaking of stripers, about a year ago, my buddy Bob Danielson came back to the dock after a day of porgy action. Upon returning, his son said, “Dad, there is a striper under the dock.” Bob looked and within seconds, grabbed a rod and had hooked a 20-pound bass from the dock!
Port Jefferson Harbor offers some unique fishing opportunities in a calm, scenic setting, and after fishing, you can treat yourself to a fine meal at one of the many shops and restaurants bordering the harbor.
