Long Island, Metro NY - South Shore Fishing Reports

In from Capt. Tom Cornicelli of Back Bay Outfitter in East Moriches I heard not only is spot available 24/7, but Tom will also deliver to your boat or marina if needed. For info, call Tom at 516-446-2286.

On the King Cod out of Center Moriches I heard from Capt. Joe who said going forward he will be sailing out of Captree. There is ample parking and great access to prime waters. This week, on the King Cod VII from Captree. It was another windy week. They only managed to get the boat off of the dock for one trip – Tuesday. The blackfish life was definitely improved from their last trip. However, the majority of the fish caught were just under the legal size limit and had to be returned. A bunch of extra-large early season ling and a few nice blackfish made it into the coolers. No cod bit this trip on our chosen grounds. The water definitely got "mixed up good" inshore with the last round of windy weather and rough seas. On a high note, it's back on a warming trend with water temps now hitting the 50 plus degree mark on the beach, and the bays are warming rapidly. They will continue on the hunt this Tuesday and Wednesday with special 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. blackfish, ling and cod marathon trips. They will continue to target blackfish, cod and ling through the month of April. They also plan on adding some light tackle casting trips for striped bass and bluefish in the coming weeks. Fluke fishing will kick off on May 4th this year, and the boat will sail full-day, light tackle back-bay bucktailing every day from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To celebrate their first fluke season in Captree State Park, pool winners May 4th and May 5th will also win a season pass aboard the King Cod VII, good for any and all open boat trips they sail. For more info, text Capt. Joe at 631-605-1404 with name, day and number of spots to reserve.

In from Richie at Dick's B&T in Mastic Beach we learned that the winds were howling all week, with extremely high tides. Most anglers targeted their gear. One angler however fished the early a.m. and evening in the back-bay for school stripers. The weather this coming week looks a lot better for fishing activity. There is already a lot of bunker in the bay as the ospreys are carrying them to nests! If you are looking for those early season blues or stripers, try following the osprey as they will show you where the bunker is. Richie also feels that if you head out and chum, you could find a few flounder for your efforts.

John at J&J Sports in Patchogue said bass season is officially open and many anglers have been seeing fish throughout the bay well before the opener. Most of the fish caught have been schoolies, but there have been a few slot keepers in the mix. Guys have been successful using SP Minnow or Redfin hard baits, but using clams will also work. Try fishing the mouths of creeks and rivers as well as some warmer water in shallower areas. A couple of days of warmer weather should really "turn the fish on," so get out there and give them a shot. They’re also catching small bass in the Patchogue and Carmans rivers, and in Bellport Bay on soft plastics and Yo-Zuri lures. On the blackfish front, fishing has started to pick up as the water temps increase. Clam seems to be the bait for this spring season. Keep in mind the spring season is a two fish, 16-inch limit and closes on April 30th. The shop has also heard of some flounder reports, caught on sandworms and heavy chumming with bank mussels. The two best areas have been the Smith Point Bridge and Quogue Canal areas. The tidal creeks are also still holding a good amount of white perch. Nightcrawlers on a jig-head around drop offs during outgoing tide has seen better results than the incoming.

In from Dan at Bay Shore Fish and Hunt I heard of a few bass near the bay bridge using swimming baits – Bombers, Yo-Zuri etc. Blackfish was also quiet from what Dan heard.

Greg from Burnett's Marina in Bay Shore we heard the shop and marina are open and ready for another great fishing year in 2024. They do have a few slips available, so call ASAP if you need one. The shop will open from Wednesday through Sunday this year, closing on Monday and Tuesday for family time.

At Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip I heard the bass action continues to build in the bay with the bay bridge and Moses Bridge producing fish from school size and slightly larger. Soft plastics, hard baits and slowly retrieved topwaters have worked well. Mike also heard of some blackfish in the bay, but as always, you need to weed through for a keeper. The shop is fully stocked and ready for the 2024 season so come on down before you head out.

Brenden at Captree Bait and Tackle Shop on Captree Island reported the shop will open the 27th, but Brenden did hear of some school bass in the back-bay area, with blackfish on the local inshore wrecks… when you can get to them!

Capt. Walter on the Fishfinder II reported the boat will begin sailing for stripers the third week of April for striped bass – 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., with fluke trips to be added on May 4, when fluke season officially opens. The schedule when fluke season opens will be as follows: 10 a.m. fluke, 5 p.m. bass and blues. For info, go to www.captreefishfinder.com.

Dennis at Babylon Fishing Station said the shop now open for the 2024 season with fuel available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with shop hours from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week with all the bait, gas and ice an angler can need.

On Taylor Renee Charters out of Babylon I heard from Capt. Mike who reported some good schoolie action near Bay Shore Marina and the Heckscher area. Dusk and dawn along marsh areas are holding some slot bass. Slug-Go and Fin-S-Fish have been the best soft plastics. For info or to book a trip call Capt. Mike at 631-855-2751

Bob Rose at Bob's Bait and Tackle in Amity Harbor reported bass are all over the bay with anglers scoring well using soft plastics, hard baits, worms and clams by boat and off the docks and piers. There are some blackfish at the deeper water wrecks, but you need a day of weather to be able to get there! The shop is fully loaded for stripers, blackfish and flounder, with all the rigs you need for fluke when the season opens the 4th of May.