Eastern Long Island Fishing Report

• First hardtails of the season around the Forks. Bonito and Albies.
• Good striper bites materializing.
• Cold winds starting to make bait move.
• Great tuna fishing this past week, with lots of mahi to pick from.
• Bottom fishing remains great.
• Quality striper bite in the surf. Some quick big fish bites around the moon. Good numbers of schoolies available.

The Fishfinder of Captree reports: 

“Capt. Walter ditched the island and headed up to the Salmon River for a quick trip. He ended up tying into a couple of king salmon, and saw about 25 others moving upstream. He hooked about a dozen more kings from 12 to 25 pounds shortly after, and ended up landing a quality eight pound brown trout. Size 8-10 sucker spawns in red/chartreuse or orange were doing the trick. Back home, we did pretty darn well this week on the outside reef and in the bay. Both spots have a nice mix of keeper and short fluke, up to 7 pounds. There’s some nice sea bass, scup and mackerel on the reef as well. We had some quality fluking on the 5pm tides, as the trips coincided perfectly with the prime tide. Weakfish have been coming over the rail on those trips too. Squid/spearing and gulp have been putting fish in the boat.” Give them a call for trip info.

Capt. Dave Flanagan of North Island Fly in Northport reports:

Dave decided to prophesy rather than report this week… He reckons this hard north blow is going to turn on the fishing. Historically, that’s a darn good bet. I reckon that north wind cools down the water fiercely, forcing the smaller bait holding strong in the bays to filter out to deeper water. That north wind cools the surface down, and the fish want to leave the shallows… the predatory fish tend to be waiting for them when this happens. So, make sure you get out there! Contact Dave regarding his availability or check out his website to book him for a charter at northislandfly.com.

Captain Stu Paterson of Northport Charters reports: 

“There’s lots of bait and life still in the bay, with walls of baitfish at each and every drop-off. It is starting to set up for a great fall run. Everyone is limiting out on the boat, so the kids camp concluded with some stellar fishing. Rods remained bent all around the rail. They’re catching big, hard-pulling porgies to 2.5 pounds, and mostly aggressive gator blues to 12 pounds. Charters also caught lots of big porgies and cocktail blues, taking home bags of fillets for the table. The bay has been thick with peanut bunker and spearing everywhere. Birds and blues are hammering them daily. We’re still picking away at some keeper fluke as well, but that bite has slowed down a bit. Erich had a big porgy pushing 17 inches and 2.5 pounds.” Call/text Stu at 631-707-3266 or check out Stu’s website to book a trip: northportcharters.com.

• Looking for the Western L.I. and NYC Fishing Report? Click here to read what’s happening around Nassau, Kings and Queens counties!

• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain on Long Island!

The Celtic Quest Fishing Fleet of Port Jefferson reports: 

“There’s been an excellent bite occurring along the north shore. Big fish are on the menu! Gator blues, big scup and big weakfish have come over the rail in the past few days. David Lasala said he enjoyed one of the best trips of his life 3 days ago, with him and his 8 year old son catching a bucket full of porgies, 6 sea bass, a weakfish, a sea robin and dogfish. We tied into some jumbo bottom fish earlier in the week, including a quality fluke. We had to cancel a bunch of trips this past week, but made up for them aplenty when we could get on the water!” Call them at 631-928-3926 for booking info, or check the website/Facebook for more info.

The Peconic Star 3 of Greenport reports:

“Fishing has been super this past week! Despite the forecasted 4 to 6 foot seas in the Atlantic, we were unaffected on the north fork. We fished the sheltered waters of the Sound and Gardiners Bay. Jumbo scup, big sea bass, some big weakfish, and even some chub mackerel came off the bottom yesterday. We picked a similar catch earlier in the week, with some bonus bluefish and kingfish in the mix. Blowfish and croakers came over the rail 5 days ago, as did a quality fluke and slot-sized striped bass! Fishing pretty much exploded this past week. We’re running full day trips daily, from 7:30-3. The weekends have half-day options, from 7:30-12:30, targeting a mixed bag.” For booking info, call Captain Paul.

Bill at Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle in Oakdale reports:

“Fluke reports are consistent this week, with lots of action under the bridge, in the inlet, and in the ocean. They’re sticking tight to the available structure. Drop down some bucktails or jig heads tipped with your artificial of choice, and get jiggin’! Shop rigs with the classic squid and spearing combo will always put fish in the boat as well. If you’re fishing an outside wreck or reef, the sea bass action is non-stop. The tried-and-true clam rigs will do the trick, or you can hit ’em with a big bucktail, diamond jig, or epoxy jig. Stripers and some bigger bluefish have been popping up here and there already. Right spot, right time, right lures, you’ll get ’em. Poppers, spooks, and glide baits are getting whomped on hard. 

Lake action is getting better as the days cool down from the heat of summer. Bass and pickerel are out on the hunt. Topwater lures are getting smashed hard during the morning and evening. Senkos and jigs are putting in work during the daylight hours. Swimbaits and inline spinners are also on the menu. Schooling panfish like sunfish and perch are an easy grab with a classic worm-and-bobber rig. Try a small inline spinner or soft plastic jig if you’d rather use lures. Trout are much more active right now than they have been. the cooler temps have helped a lot. The trout are still rising every morning and evening, eating all sorts of dry fly presentations. They love a well-presented nymph when they go down deep during the midday heat.”

Rosie Fishing of Moriches Bay reports:

“We picked fluke to five pounds last night, along with a good number of keepers. A number of anglers have been culling their limit this week. The trip two nights ago produced two dozen keepers from 5-9pm. These evening trips have been especially productive. We had the Ronkonkoma fire department out midweek, and they laid the smackdown on some fluke during the day. There were a load of shorts, but a bunch of keepers came over the rail. Some folks braved the rain early in the week, and were well rewarded for their bravery! Fluke have been coming up consistently all week. Keep an eye on our website for sailing times, reports, and trip openings. Give us a call for booking info!”

Nick from Haskell’s Bait and Tackle in East Quogue reports:

“Striped bass action has picked up in recent days. The bridges and flats have been producing plenty of schoolie and slot bass; they seem to be targeting mullet and peanut bunker primarily. Fluke are still feeding strongly in the basket area and just outside the inlet. The ocean bite has been consistent when the boats can make it out to the grounds. Blowfish have also shown up in full force in the shallows. Snappers are finally at a good size for catching; find them at almost any dock or pier. Juvenile weakfish have also been hanging out there, alongside the snappers.”

• Looking for the Western L.I. and NYC Fishing Report? Click here to read what’s happening around Nassau, Kings and Queens counties!

• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain on Long Island!

The Shinnecock Star in Hampton Bays reports:

“Monday’s trip was great, with Jimmy taking the high hook spot. He nailed five keeper fluke in the A.M., releasing the one and winning the pool. Lisa and the crew from Neva’s Catch joined us in the afternoon, putting a bunch of quality fluke in the boat. Saturday’s trip was equally productive, with some blowfish to mix up our fluke bags. Some kingfish came up on Sunday along with those other two species, and we were often catching plenty of fish to take home before it would get dark.” They’re sailing out of Oaklands Marina daily from 7am-2pm. Text or call Capt. John for booking info.

The Hampton Lady of Hampton Bays reports:

“There has been an awesome bay bite recently. We’ve been picking a lot of fluke, and some big ones to boot! Sea bass and porgies have also been coming over the rail. Cod and triggerfish are still mixing up the bags! Stripers have been chewing, and even the dogfish have been making the kids grin from ear to ear. It’s high time to get out there! Text Capt. James for reservations. We’re sailing 6am-2pm.”

Bill Wetzel of the Surf Rats Ball reports:

“I got out on Saturday for the graveyard shift, 2:30-7:30am. Some wave action and spots of clean water offered some promise for me and Steve along the south side. We had a couple taps in the dark, but our first fish came at first light on an SP minnow. We picked about 10 bass after that on bucktails. The fish were probably feeding on white bait, and seemed like new arrivals in the Montauk surf. They may be the first fall run fish of 2023.

My wife joined me for a good hike along the south side on the 28th. As we walked, I casted bucktails and picked about 8 schoolie bass. The fish seem to be on sandeels or white bait, or maybe both. We didn’t stay put long, as the wife wanted to keep moving. It’s been awesome getting a consistent bite from smaller bass; it bodes well for the fall season.” Subscribe today at www.longislandsurffishing.com.

Chris Albronda from Montauk reports:

“It was a tough week of fishing with the weather, but those who put in the time got into some great bites. Offshore was definitely this week’s highlight. The bluefish and yellowfin were extremely close, making for quick trips; you could also bring home a bunch of mahi on those trips.

Inshore, the striped bass fishing was about as good as it gets, with many slot-sized fish landed, and even more over-slots released. Black Sea bass fishing was red hot, with lots of jumbos coming over the rail. Chris’ lure of choice is a 1 ounce jighead with a gulp. The fluke fishing was hot and cold, yes then no. When it was on, it was pretty amazing… then there were the slow days, accompanied by unfavorable conditions. Porgy fishing around the lighthouse is the best Chris has seen in his 33 years of fishing there. And last but not least, we have the hardtails… The first run of albies have showed up, and there have been a ton of green bonito available.” Shoot Chris a text at 631-830-3881 to book a trip. He’s available for offshore trips, and to privately captain your vessel.

Montauk’s Viking Fleet reports:

“This morning’s trip was tough with the wind and swell, but we managed a few nice keeper fluke. Dylan Herbert took the pool with a 4 pound fluke. Yesterday afternoon was a little bit better, but the heavy ground swell kept us from our hot spots of late. Local waters produced a good pick of sea bass, porgies and keeper fluke. Tom O’Keefe picked a 5 pounder for the pool. The morning trip did pretty much exactly the same. Tuesday produced nonstop action of sea bass, porgies, fluke, mackerel and sand sharks. Lots of short fluke kept us busy, but we pulled plenty of keepers over the rail. Lots of double header short sea bass came up in the morning. On Sunday we whale watched, and found the cetaceans pretty quickly near the lighthouse, only three miles offshore. We found 5 humpbacks and about 50 bottlenose dolphins. The bird watching was pretty stellar on this trip too. The weekend provided some hit-or-miss fishing, but overall we did quite well.” Call the office to book or book online at vikingfleet.com.

Eastern Long Island Fishing Forecast

I’m sure you’ve heard me mention them before, and I’m certain this will interest just about anybody who’s reading my report this week… The SOFO shark researchers have just concluded their season, and held a panel discussion to present their findings to the public. Click here to watch the video. Congrats on another great season you salty folks! Wish I could’ve joined you.

The dogfish have remained prevalent in the surf, making for lots of bycatch while targeting stripers. I’ve been taking some kids out this week, and they’ve kept the rods bent for a good portion of the trips, mostly on “trash fish.” Tell you what, those kids do NOT think dogfish are trash until they’re told that. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of a kid holding a dogfish where they’re not overtaken by joy. It’s been a good time in the surf. 

Once the surf began growing, we headed back to the dock instead. Coinciding with the increased swells were cool nights. When we’d fish in the morning, we’d find the white perch biting up a storm. We’ve been catching them on shrimp, on jigs, and on the fly. I’m booked for an hour with a kid or two, and we end up fishing for 2.5 hours instead. It’s too much fun to stop! I’m looking forward to a few more days of that action before summer’s out.

I’m looking way more forward to Tumbleweed Tuesday. That’s the Tuesday after Labor Day, when all the vacationers skip town, and it feels like a wild west ghost town. It used to REALLY feel like a ghost town… a lot more folks stick around a bit longer, and you can’t blame them. It is so peaceful when all the hustle and bustle departs. I don’t have to work 70 to 80 hour weeks anymore, at least until late next Spring. There are some good times ahead.

September tends to be pretty radical on the oceanfront too. I find myself near the inlets a lot more, hoping for a chance to hook into an albie or two. I think I might’ve caught one last year… I’m looking to improve those numbers this fall. I believe last fall was just kind of a crappy run down by me. If I remember correctly, the North Fork got the real run of hardtails. It’s right during the surf-togging season too, so you really can’t go wrong if you make the trip up there.

For this next week though… Lord knows what’s going to happen. This swell should subside and the weather should improve. I expect this hard north blow to push the first run of mullet on to the beaches. On Labor Day, I feel like I always see spearing blitzes as well. There were a ton of anchovies in the wash right before the hurricane swell, so maybe they’ll stand in as fodder for the stripers.

Either way, I’m expecting to see my first surfside blitzes this week. It always goes down like that… sorry if I jinxed it by saying it out loud.

Mullet though… They tend to cause some really exciting action. It’s right up front, and stripers tend to pin them in structure. Find a good point, or stick near the jetties, because the bass will trap them right in the pocket on the beach. It’s easy pickings with bucktails and rubber shads. Keep some teasers on you just in case the silversides or anchovies take the main stage. We should see all those baits coalesce along the rocks in the inlets. You’ll see needlefish hounding the rainbait, and mullet swimming quickly along the edge of the rip right at your feet. Stripers should be tight to the rocks. Guys love taking huge casts into the deepest part of the inlets, but my favorite tactic is mettling with the snaggable rocks right at my feet. If I can drag my bucktail up the wall, within a foot or two of the rocks, there’s oftentimes a quality bass waiting to pop out and give me a run for my money. I much prefer fishing the open beach, but writing about the jetty fishing and bringing these memories back makes me very excited for my inlet time.

I’m also excited to make some Montauk trips. I don’t think there is a better time to get out there than mid-August to mid-September. I’ve seen some of my coolest sights in that time frame: big bonito blitzing nearshore; fluke breaching clear out of the water by the dozen to swallow big gulps of sand eels; stripers trapping spearing inside the coves on the north side, and giant albie blitzes occurring a bit too far off the beach to cast to. Even if you’re not catching, Montauk is a magical place to be on the water.

With all the great reports from the charter boats this season, I’m looking to jump on one this coming week to do some bottom fishing. I’ve never tried my hand at fluking from a boat before, and I think I could be pretty good at it. We shall see!

We’re entering an extremely exciting part of the season. I tend to fish too much (if there’s such a thing) in early September before the action really picks up. I push responsibilities to the wayside while I hunt for hardtails that haven’t really arrived yet. I’m going to try to control myself this September… but those are just words. My passion and excitement for fall fishing is impossible to reign in. So I’m sure I’ll be seeing you out there!

Enjoy the last weekend of the “official” summer. Be safe! I guarantee there will be a lot of idiots out there… drunk drivers and boaters. So never let down your guard. Stay smart and safe, and catch ‘em up!