Surf Fishing Report - May 19, 2025
Tides: Third Quarter Moon (59.9%) | Weather: SW 10-15 knots, 75°F | Moon: Waning to Third Quarter
The surf fishing scene is experiencing a significant transition as we approach tomorrow's Third Quarter moon (May 20, 7:58 AM). This lunar phase is creating a distinct shift in both fish behavior and optimal tactics compared to last week's Full Moon period.Current Surf Conditions and Patterns
Nick Cherkas (@surfcasting_the_island) provides key insight into the changing pattern: "Since the moon peaked earlier this week, fishing has been more sporadic. However, with fewer fish came the bigger fish, which allowed me to recycle my old stomping grounds for winds and tides that have remained a staple for consistency."This observation perfectly captures the Third Quarter moon effect - a reduction in overall fish numbers but an increase in the average size of fish caught. This pattern is consistent across the entire South Shore surf zone from upper New Jersey to Montauk.
The approaching Third Quarter moon is creating moderate tidal flows that are concentrating fish on specific structure rather than spreading them across wider areas. The outgoing tide is currently producing the most consistent action, particularly during the middle to late stages when water temperatures reach their daily peak.
Structure and Tactical Approaches
The reduced tidal flow is making structure more critical than ever. Nick notes: "Turbulent water around jetty pockets calls for heavy bucktails to get down into the strike zone where most other plugs would not reach." This tactical adjustment is essential - with less water movement, presentations must reach deeper into the water column where fish are holding tight to structure.The dominant forage has shifted significantly from earlier in the month. "Expect better action with larger profiles since the predominant bait these bass are feeding on includes squid and bunker," reports Nick. This shift from sand eels to larger forage (squid and adult bunker) explains why larger profile lures are now outperforming the slim-profile offerings that dominated earlier in May.
Will King (@willie_fish) confirms this pattern: "This past week has brought in some good-sized bass filtering in among a plethora of 30- to 38-inch class fish. Large metal lips and, as always, bucktails, are doing most of the damage. Metal lips are producing fish to the upper 30-pound range."
Day vs. Night Pattern Differentiation
A clear day/night pattern differentiation has emerged across the surf zone. Kyle Ellis (@kyle_lsx) reports: "There are bass and blues all over the place right now, and they're still hammering slim-profile plugs. This moon phase really fired things up. The daytime bite's been solid too, with mostly blues showing up. At night, though, the bigger bass come out—plenty of fish well over the slot."This pattern creates a clear tactical approach:
- Daytime: Target bluefish with topwater and faster-moving presentations
- Night: Focus on larger striped bass with larger profile lures worked slower and deeper
Regional Surf Variations
Western South Shore (Upper NJ to Fire Island)
The western surf zone is dominated by bluefish during daylight hours, with fish to 12 pounds reported on diamond jigs, poppers, and metal-lipped swimmers. These fish are concentrated around inlet mouths and prominent structure, particularly during the last two hours of outgoing tide.Striped bass fishing is primarily a night game in this region, with the best action occurring from 9 PM to 2 AM. Darters and bottle plugs in the 2-3 oz range are producing the largest specimens, with several fish in the 30-35 pound class reported this week.
Todd Kowal from Fat Cow had a monster that "tipped the scale at 35 pounds" on a large profile swimmer worked slowly through a rip adjacent to a jetty pocket.
Central South Shore (Fire Island to Moriches)
The central region is showing the most consistent striped bass action, with fish available during both day and night periods. The outgoing tide is significantly outperforming the incoming, particularly when it coincides with dawn or dusk.Bill Falco reports: "We had a few nights of 20- to 30-pound-plus fish ripping through the open beaches." These fish are responding best to "darters, bottle plugs and shallow divers like SP Minnows and Mag Darters."
The most productive pattern has been targeting the deeper troughs and cuts that form along otherwise featureless beaches. These subtle depressions hold cooler water and concentrate bait, particularly during the outgoing tide.
Eastern South Shore (Shinnecock to Montauk)
The eastern surf zone is producing the largest average size striped bass, though in fewer numbers than western areas. These fish are holding in deeper water adjacent to the surf zone and moving in to feed primarily during night hours.The most effective approach has been using larger profile lures (7-9") that match the adult bunker and squid that dominate the forage base in this region. Metal-lipped swimmers and large soft plastics are consistently outperforming other offerings.
The reduced tidal range from the approaching Third Quarter moon is concentrating these fish on primary structure rather than spreading them across wider areas. This creates more predictable feeding windows but requires precise positioning.
Tactical Recommendations for Surf Anglers
- Weight Adjustment: The reduced current strength from the approaching Third Quarter moon requires heavier lures to reach the strike zone. Increase bucktail weights by ¼-½ oz compared to last week, and select plugs that achieve greater depth.
- Profile Matching: Match lure profiles to the dominant forage - larger profiles (squid and bunker) in the eastern zones, medium profiles (mixed forage) in central areas, and slimmer profiles (sand eels) in western areas.
- Timing Optimization: Focus efforts during the last two hours of outgoing tide when water temperatures peak and bait is most concentrated. For trophy striped bass, the night bite (9 PM to 2 AM) is consistently outproducing daylight hours.
- Structure Focus: With reduced tidal flow, fish are concentrating more heavily on primary structure. Target jetty pockets, prominent points, and depth transitions rather than open beach stretches.
- Presentation Adjustment: The clearer water and reduced current require more subtle presentations. Slow retrieves with occasional pauses are outperforming the faster, more aggressive presentations that worked during the Full Moon period.
