Long Island, Metro NY - West End Fishing Reports

Kathy Sansonetti at Freeport Bait and Tackle told me that the bass bite has been improving on the South Shore and a handful of reports from the Robert Moses indicate that fresh bunker is bringing in 20 to 30-inch fish. Surfcasters have been scoring on bass with top water plugs, bucktails and soft plastics. The ‘tog bite also saw improvement on the inside at the Green Island Fishing Pier and Meadowbrook Bridges. The shop has a complete line of baits including green crabs, mussels, fresh clams, bloodworms and sandworms. Fresh bunker arrives daily and they will be stocking live eels this week. Please note the new shop hours. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday 12 noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (516) 378-4988.

Captains Paul Paris and A.J. Coleman of the Keel Hauler in Freeport at Guy Lombardo Marina asked that you please check the website for full details on their upcoming trips. www.keelhaulerfishing.com. (631) 827-5269.

Capt. Bob Schmitt of Sea Rogue Charters in Freeport said that the bay water is still a chilly 49 degrees. Therefore, he only connected with a handful of bass over the weekend. He took a shot at ‘tog on Sunday and located a couple of keepers. Beginning on May 4th he will be targeting the summer flatties. To book prime dates please call (516) 551-2177.

Over on the Super Hawk in Pt. Lookout Capt. Steve Kearney reported that the boat is now sailing daily at 6 a.m. on Special Limited Load Blackfish, Cod and Ling Wreck Trips. A 1 a.m. Wreck Special for cod, pollock and jumbo porgies will sail on Wednesday, May 1. Starting on Saturday, May 4th, the boat will sail two trips daily for fluke. The hours will be 7 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 5:30 p.m. Please call, or check the Facebook page for additional dates and details. Reservations are required for all trips. (516) 607-3004.

Paul from River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin checked in to say that when the weather cooperated anglers have been finding fish. Most of the action is still on the western end of the Island with a few reports of schoolies showing up out east. That could change with a few days of warmer weather. Paul said he always has hope in April, but it is May when everything really breaks open. He had a report from the Little Neck area about some slot and larger bass being taken late in the day on a high tide. Most are being enticed with plugs but a few are on the fly. Paul’s focus will be deep in the back bays on days when the low tide is at about 12 and the high tide is about sunset. He uses smaller baits, which is perfect for the fly rod. The beauty of living on an island is that no matter which way the wind is blowing, you can always find a lee and get out of the wind. River Bay outfitters will start doing their evening Saltwater Meetups soon and the best way to find out about them is to sign up for the newsletter at riverbayoutfitters.com (516) 415-7748.

The staff at Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reported that overall, it was a quiet week. Some bass were taken at the Atlantic Beach Bridge as well as in Raritan and Jamaica Bay. No blackfish reports came in. The station is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (516) 766-3110.

I spoke to Capt. Nick Savene of No Time Charters in Oceanside and his first bass trip of the season was a huge success. Joe Cordero and friends drilled a boat limit of slot bass while releasing 10 others of mixed sizes. The next trip in less-than-ideal conditions stayed in the bay. Kenny Owens decked six bass with one keeper staying aboard. Dates are available for bass and blackfish so call (516) 662-6519.

I spoke to Capt. Bob Weigand of the Lady Flamingo in Sheepshead Bay and he said it was a slow start to the bass season. He worked Raritan Bay and his fares bagged a few bass here and there. The boat departs daily at 6:30 a.m. and there is plenty of off the street free parking. Please check the website www.ladyflamingofishing.com or call (646) 637-1447.

Capt. Tony Renda of the charter/open boat Reel Challenge/Ho Choy in Seaford said that it’s not too early to book a charter or reserve a spot on an open boat by reservation trip. Please call (516) 541-2006.

Bill Witchey at Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville told me that not much has changed. Earlier in the week, anglers enjoyed a decent ‘tog catch at local bridges when the water temp was 51 degrees. Blackfish to 18 inches were taken at the 3rd Wantagh Bridge. However, by the weekend, the water dropped down to 46 degrees and the bite literally shutdown. Ocean ‘togging saw a decent pick of shorts and keepers with ling and a few cod in the by catch. Most of the fish were pulled up from the 100 to 110-foot depths. Bass action is building up day by day. They have been taken on umbrella rigs in green or white at the East/West Channel and the State Channel. Try trolling the waters from Tanner Park to the Amity Cut. A fine second choice would be the waters from the Lindenhurst Cut to Gilgo. Anglers are decking mixed sizes with a few slots available. Customers reported finding bass to 27 inches in some of the local canals. Small 2-1/2 to 3-inch shads in white are nailing them. Along the beach bass are being slam dunked on Joe Baggs Swarters. Bill noted that basically what we need is some back-to-back days of warm weather and sunshine. The shop has local and Canadian spearing, California and local squid, mussels, frozen shrimp, clams, clam bellies and clam chum. Nightcrawlers and mealworms are in stock for freshwater anglers. The shop hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. depending on the weather. (631) 264-3525.

I heard from Capt. Vinnie Calabro of Karen Ann Charters in Howard Beach and he noted that Jamaica Bay is on fire with nice size bass. Open boat and private trips are available daily. Please call for details and reservations. (516) 728-6952.

I spoke to the staff at the LI Outdoorsman in Rockville Centre and bass are invading the bays in good numbers. Anglers have also connected with a few weakfish as well. Reports came in of bluefish being taken at Jones Beach. Rob Greco, Sr. and Jr. have been bagging multiple species of freshwater fish at Lake Ronkonkoma. New merchandise is coming in daily. The shop has all the baits you will need for the bass and blackfish spring season including green crabs and bloodworms. (516) 678-5554.