SOUTH SHORE SAM'S FISHING REPORTSeptember 20, 2025 - A Methodical Look at the South Shore Bite
Morning, folks. Sam here with your South Shore update. The ocean is a living thing, and if you take the time to listen, it tells you everything you need to know. The past week, it's been telling a story of transition, of a shift in the seasons that you can feel in the air and see in the water. The first hints of fall are here, and with them, the fishing has come alive.
My grandfather, who ran a party boat out of Captree back in the 60s, always said that the week after the September full moon was a magical time on the South Shore. The water starts to cool, the bait gets pushed around, and the fish get that antsy feeling, knowing it's time to feed before the long journey south. He was right. This week, the ocean has been generous to those who are patient and pay attention to the little details.
Let's take a methodical look at what the water's been telling us from Fire Island to Shinnecock.
CURRENT CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORSWater Temperature: 68-70°F (The water is still warm, but it's starting to cool, and that's the trigger.)
Clarity: Good visibility in the bays, a little murky on the ocean side after the recent groundswell.
Current: Strong currents around the inlets, especially with the new moon approaching.
Bait Situation: Peanut bunker are everywhere, and the mullet run is starting. The ocean is alive with bait.
WESTERN ZONE: FIRE ISLAND INLET TO DEMOCRAT POINT
FIRE ISLAND INLET - FLUKE & MORE
A beautiful striped bass, a sign of the good things to come on the South Shore.
The big story in the western zone has been the incredible fluke fishing. It's been non-stop action, with reports of a massive 12-plus pounder caught near the Fire Island Inlet. The fish are staging for their move to the ocean, and they're feeding aggressively. The key has been finding the right bait. Peanut bunker, squid, and Gulp! in pink shine have all been producing. It's a classic late-season pattern, and it's a beautiful thing to see.
Species Active: Fluke (dominant, many keepers), Striped Bass (schoolies), Bluefish (cocktail size).
Hot Techniques:
• Drifting with live peanut bunker or squid and spearing.
• Bucktailing with Gulp! trailers.
• Casting small jigs and soft plastics around the bridge for schoolie bass.
CENTRAL ZONE: DEMOCRAT POINT TO MORICHES INLET CAPTREE & GREAT SOUTH BAY - A MIXED BAGThe central zone has been a smorgasbord of species. The Captree fleet has been reporting a true mixed bag, with everything from fluke and stripers to porgies, sea robins, and even a few stargazers. This is the time of year when you never know what you're going to pull up, and that's part of the excitement. The weakfish have also made a strong showing in the bay, a welcome sight for those of us who remember the great weakfish runs of the past.
What's Biting: Fluke, Weakfish, Porgies, Sea Robins, Striped Bass (schoolies).
Winning Setup: Bottom fishing with squid and spearing. Small jigs tipped with Gulp! for the weakfish.
EASTERN ZONE: MORICHES INLET TO SHINNECOCK INLET
SHINNECOCK INLET - THE SPEEDSTERS ARE HERE
A happy angler with a nice striped bass, a common sight in the eastern zone.
The eastern zone has been all about the speedsters. The albies have been putting on a show, pushing bait right into the inlets. It's been a sight to behold, with fish blitzing on the surface. The striped bass are also starting to stage in the Shinnecock Inlet, a sure sign that the fall run is just around the corner. The fluke fishing has also been improving in the bay, with some nice keepers being reported.
Species Active: False Albacore (dominant), Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke.
Hot Techniques:
• Casting small, heavy tins like Deadly Dicks and Hogy Epoxy Jigs to the breaking fish.
• Live-lining peanut bunker or mullet for the bass and blues.
• Drifting fluke rigs in the bay.
7-DAY OUTLOOK & STRATEGYThe next seven days look promising. The weather is forecast to be stable, with light winds and calm seas. This should keep the bait in the bays and the fish feeding. I expect the albie bite to intensify and spread west from Shinnecock. The fluke fishing should remain excellent until the season closes on October 15th. And as the water continues to cool, the striped bass will become more active, setting the stage for a classic fall run.
Remember, the ocean is always changing. Be safe, be patient, and take the time to listen to what the water is telling you. That's the secret to a good day of fishing.
Tight lines,
- South Shore Sam
