North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

There is no shortage of bait on the North Shore with loads of bunker in the harbors, a few herring still poking around, and squid making appearances in Centerport and Northport Bay. However, we are still waiting for a large body of fish to be feeding on them. John at Terminal Tackle in Kings Park said that the flounder fishing is just about hopeless over by his shop, but Phil from Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport said some flatties to 17 inches were picked off the docks and inside harbors of Centerport over warm, muddy bottoms.

There are a few bass here and there, but so far the quantity and quality of fish is missing. However, anglers did find schoolies this week in Cold Spring Harbor, Northport, and on the outside beaches of Crab Meadow. Many of the party boats, including Northport Charters and the Celtic Quest, will begin sailing this weekend as they have more options to fish for once fluke season opens.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

The South Shore is really starting to fire up nicely for a great spring fishing season. Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale reported that blues to 12 lbs have invaded the Great South Bay, and they are being caught from docks, boats, and beaches on chunks and tins. Bill from Combs Bait & Tackle in Amityville added that a few keeper bass are in the mix for those throwing top water lures, but it is hard to get around the choppers. Toward the eastern South Shore, a wave of bluefish began showing up in Shinnecock just a few days ago with bass in the mix, according to Mike at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays; however, it seems like you can still get some bass action without blues interfering if you head for the Canal.

Weakfish are a new hot topic as we saw an influx of some really nice fish this week. Joe at Trophy Tackle in West Babylon reported a few caught off Ocean Beach, and Bill from Combs Bait & Tackle said the north side of the Great South Bay from Seaford through Lindenhurst saw weaks to 9 lbs in the early morning and evening hours on sandworms, small bucktails, and soft plastics. There were also a handful of weakfish as well as the first signs of porgy life in the Shinnecock Canal.

Metro Long Island Fishing Report

John at Hudson Park Bait & Tackle in New Rochelle said the blues moved in heavy up to Dikeman Street and began heading west to Littleneck and Manhasset. He also reported stripers galore migrating through the area up to spawn in the East River. He found a big school at the end of last week, but the fish were not interested in anything the group had to throw at them. John from Jack’s Bait & Tackle in the Bronx also reported loads of bass and blues around the Verrazano, Whitestone, and Throgs Neck Bridges all caught on fresh bunker, and he added that things should really be on fire this time next week if the action continues like it should. On the south side, big blues have flooded the waters around Mill Basin, Sea Gate, and Floyd Bennett Field with a handful of bass in the mix if you can get to them, according to Stretch at Stella Maris Bait & Tackle in Brooklyn.

For those that would rather bottom fish, the porgy are way to the east, but are slowly making their way to western Long Island. However, anglers are still finding flounder in Eastchester Bay, and it looks like there are at least a few fluke around for opening day on Sunday.

East End/North Fork Long Island Fishing Report

Things are really starting to pick up on the East End with a variety of fishing opportunities. Ben at Star Island Marina in Montauk reported that a few customers went out for tile and cod this past week, and both fisheries did well locally. The big stripers have not showed up yet, but Ray from Paulie’s Bait & Tackle in Montauk said anglers are keeping themselves occupied with schoolie to almost keeper sized bass at Ditch Plains on ½ – 1 ounce bucktails. There is not much in the way of flounder fishing, or at least not many people are trying, but Tonya at Westlake Marina in Montauk told us of a customer catching a few fish to 1.9 lbs in Lake Montauk.

Life in the Peconic is getting pretty impressive with improved porgy fishing every day. Captain Mike of the Prime Time 3 out of Orient reported outstanding scup fishing with limits all around of 2-3 pounders and the occasional 4 lb fish in the mix. The boat also caught a few fluke as bycatch on clam, which indicates that there are definitely fish around for the opener. Captain Mark of the Celtic Quest, who currently sailing a boat out of Jamesport, also speaks of excellent fishing. Most fares are landing their limits, and they have seen some weakfish and out of season sea bass in the mix. Captain Mark said he is usually fishing in about 45 feet of water with 4-8 ounces of weight depending on the tides, but encourages those that are bringing their own gear to also carry a heavier pole in case they decide to jig for weakfish and blues during the trip.

Best Bets for the Weekend

The weather this weekend should allow everyone to get out fishing. There is a bit of rain and wind expected on Saturday, but Sunday is looking good for the fluke opener. From what the scouting and bycatch tells us, there are fluke out there waiting to be caught. Many porgy charters will begin adding fluke to their trips if the numbers are there, but for now scup will most likely dominate the outings. The Peconic is the best solid fishing for porgy as they have not moved much further west than Shinnecock, but they will flood the rest of the Island very soon.

On the other hand, we have bluefish and bass working their way from west to east. Western Long Island and the South Shore are just teeming with choppers, but we should start to see them show up on the North Shore and in the Peconic sometime very soon. These guys are ferocious and would probably eat a soda can if you threw it out there, although tins and fresh bunker will give you better chances. If you are able to sink your baits or work your tins slow, you might be able to land one of the stripers sitting underneath the feeding frenzy. You can try to either work structure and inlets or look for birds diving and throw right into the mix.