**Bottom Line Up Front:** With the general category bluefin season now closed, the offshore scene has shifted its focus to the outstanding bottom fishing. Jumbo sea bass are the main event, with excellent catches being reported from the Hudson Canyon all the way to the Montauk offshore grounds. While the tuna bite has slowed, there are still some scattered bluefin being caught by those trolling and casting in the shipping lanes.
Biologist's Perspective
The dropping water temperatures have pushed the pelagic species further offshore, but the bottom fish are still holding tight to the wrecks and other structure. The key to success is finding the temperature breaks and the bait. The recent cold snap has created some significant temperature gradients, and the fish are congregating in the warmer water pockets. The presence of herring and other baitfish is also a good indicator of where to find the predators.
Hudson Canyon - December 12, 2025
The sea bass fishing in the Hudson Canyon has been nothing short of spectacular. The Golden Eagle out of Belmar reported a boat limit of sea bass on their last trip, with fish up to 7 pounds. They were also catching porgies, bluefish, ling, and pollock. The key has been to find the right piece of structure and to fish it hard. While the bluefin season is closed, there are still some fish around for catch and release action.
Atlantis Canyon - December 12, 2025
The reports from the Atlantis Canyon have been similar to the Hudson, with excellent sea bass fishing being the main draw. The Viking Starship reported a steady pick of sea bass, porgies, and ling on their last trip. The fish are holding in about 150 feet of water, and the bite has been consistent.
Block Canyon - December 12, 2025
The fishing in Block Canyon has been a mixed bag, with some boats reporting excellent catches of sea bass and others struggling to find a consistent bite. The key seems to be to find the warmer water, as the fish are concentrated in the areas with the most favorable temperatures. The Lady Grace Charters reported a few yellowfin and a lone bigeye on a recent trip, so there are still some pelagics to be had for those willing to put in the time.
Toms Canyon - December 12, 2025
The tog fishing in Toms Canyon has been very good, with some quality fish being reported. The Skylarker out of Belmar had a great trip last weekend, with a boat limit of tog. There are also some striped bass still in the area, with the boat catching a boat limit of stripers on Sunday.
Fishtails/Bacardi Grounds - December 12, 2025
The Fishtails and Bacardi Grounds have been holding some scattered bluefin tuna. The fish are being caught on the troll and by casting to surface-feeding fish. The bite has been inconsistent, but there are some big fish around, with reports of fish in the 300 to 600-pound range.
Montauk Offshore Grounds - December 12, 2025
The Montauk offshore grounds have been producing some jumbo sea bass, with some boats reporting fish up to 8 pounds. The Blue Fin IV was out on the grounds and reported a good pick of fish. The tog fishing has also been good, with fish up to 8 pounds being reported from the Point and nearby rockpiles.
Species Intelligence
Predictive Forecasting
The 72-hour forecast calls for continued cold weather, which should keep the water temperatures down and the bottom fish biting. The winds are forecast to be light, which should make for some comfortable days on the water. The best bet for the weekend is to target sea bass and tog on the offshore wrecks and reefs.
Tactical Recommendations
Biologist's Perspective
The dropping water temperatures have pushed the pelagic species further offshore, but the bottom fish are still holding tight to the wrecks and other structure. The key to success is finding the temperature breaks and the bait. The recent cold snap has created some significant temperature gradients, and the fish are congregating in the warmer water pockets. The presence of herring and other baitfish is also a good indicator of where to find the predators.
Hudson Canyon - December 12, 2025The sea bass fishing in the Hudson Canyon has been nothing short of spectacular. The Golden Eagle out of Belmar reported a boat limit of sea bass on their last trip, with fish up to 7 pounds. They were also catching porgies, bluefish, ling, and pollock. The key has been to find the right piece of structure and to fish it hard. While the bluefin season is closed, there are still some fish around for catch and release action.
Atlantis Canyon - December 12, 2025The reports from the Atlantis Canyon have been similar to the Hudson, with excellent sea bass fishing being the main draw. The Viking Starship reported a steady pick of sea bass, porgies, and ling on their last trip. The fish are holding in about 150 feet of water, and the bite has been consistent.
Block Canyon - December 12, 2025The fishing in Block Canyon has been a mixed bag, with some boats reporting excellent catches of sea bass and others struggling to find a consistent bite. The key seems to be to find the warmer water, as the fish are concentrated in the areas with the most favorable temperatures. The Lady Grace Charters reported a few yellowfin and a lone bigeye on a recent trip, so there are still some pelagics to be had for those willing to put in the time.
Toms Canyon - December 12, 2025The tog fishing in Toms Canyon has been very good, with some quality fish being reported. The Skylarker out of Belmar had a great trip last weekend, with a boat limit of tog. There are also some striped bass still in the area, with the boat catching a boat limit of stripers on Sunday.
Fishtails/Bacardi Grounds - December 12, 2025The Fishtails and Bacardi Grounds have been holding some scattered bluefin tuna. The fish are being caught on the troll and by casting to surface-feeding fish. The bite has been inconsistent, but there are some big fish around, with reports of fish in the 300 to 600-pound range.
Montauk Offshore Grounds - December 12, 2025The Montauk offshore grounds have been producing some jumbo sea bass, with some boats reporting fish up to 8 pounds. The Blue Fin IV was out on the grounds and reported a good pick of fish. The tog fishing has also been good, with fish up to 8 pounds being reported from the Point and nearby rockpiles.
Species Intelligence
- Yellowfin Tuna: A few scattered fish are still being caught in the canyons.
- Bigeye Tuna: A lone bigeye was reported from Block Canyon.
- Mahi-mahi: No recent reports.
- Albacore: No recent reports.
Predictive Forecasting
The 72-hour forecast calls for continued cold weather, which should keep the water temperatures down and the bottom fish biting. The winds are forecast to be light, which should make for some comfortable days on the water. The best bet for the weekend is to target sea bass and tog on the offshore wrecks and reefs.
Tactical Recommendations
- Sea Bass: Use a two-hook rig with fresh clams or squid. Fish the wrecks and other structure in 150 to 200 feet of water.
- Tog: Use a single-hook rig with green crabs or white-legger crabs. Fish the rock piles and other hard bottom in 50 to 100 feet of water.
- Bluefin Tuna: Troll spreader bars and ballyhoo in the shipping lanes. Look for surface-feeding fish and cast to them with poppers and stickbaits and other casting lures and jigs.
