NY Saltwater Fishing Report - July 13, 2025

[Susie Angler]

NEW YORK SALTWATER FISHING REPORT Daily Report - July 13, 2025​

GENERAL OVERVIEW & CONDITIONS Current marine conditions are showing mixed signals across the region. A frontal system is positioned northwest with a departing high pressure area to the northeast. The associated cold front approaches Monday and moves across Monday night into early Tuesday, with the frontal boundary remaining in the vicinity through midweek. CURRENT CONDITIONS (July 13, 2025): • Wind: E 5-10 kt, becoming SE 5-10 kt tonight • Seas: 1 ft or less, building to around 2 ft this afternoon, then 1-2 ft tonight • Weather: Patchy drizzle and fog this morning with visibility 1-3 nm • Barometric Pressure: 30.09" and STABLE (favorable for fishing) • Water Temperature: 81°F in harbors, 76°F in Long Island Sound MOON & TIDE IMPACT: Today's solunar activity is rated AVERAGE to GOOD depending on location. Major feeding periods occurred 2:04-4:04 AM (lunar transit) and 2:18-4:18 PM (opposing lunar transit). Minor periods at 7:43-8:43 AM (moonset) and 9:53-10:53 PM (moonrise). The stable barometric pressure is creating favorable conditions, though the overcast skies and light winds are keeping surface activity subdued. Fish are holding deeper during daylight hours but responding well during the major solunar periods.

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WESTERN SOUND TO LONG ISLAND BREAKDOWN

WESTERN LONG ISLAND SOUND: Current conditions show very good fishing potential with rising pressure trend. Water clarity is good at 10+ miles visibility. The recent weather pattern has fish scattered but feeding actively during tide changes. SHINNECOCK BAY AREA: Fishing conditions rated VERY GOOD. Pressure trend is stable to rising which has fish active. Best fishing windows align with major solunar periods. Local reports indicate good porgy action and scattered fluke activity. OFFSHORE CONDITIONS: Seas 2-3 ft with E winds 5-10 kt. Wave detail shows SE 3 ft at 7 seconds. Patchy fog with visibility 1-3 nm in morning, improving later. Offshore fishing has been productive for those who can navigate the fog safely.

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SPECIES ACTIVITY & REPORTS

STRIPED BASS: Mixed reports across the region. Cape Cod area showing excellent action with fish in the mid to upper 30" range, largest reported at 39". Long Island Sound showing scattered activity with fish responding to topwater early morning and late evening. Water temperatures in the 76-81°F range have fish seeking cooler, deeper water during midday. FLUKE (SUMMER FLOUNDER): Steady action reported in traditional spots. Boat limits being achieved by experienced anglers working the right structure and tide combinations. Fish quality good with keepers in the 18-22" range. PORGY (SCUP): Excellent action reported, particularly in the Montauk area. Early morning reports indicate "WHOA!!!!" level fishing according to local charter reports. Fish are stacked up on traditional structure. SEA BASS: Good to very good action. Charter boats reporting steady catches with quality fish. Structure fishing producing best results. POLLOCK: Offshore reports show excellent pollock fishing, described as "best of the year to date" by some charter operations. Fish are abundant but sorting through smaller fish required.

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CURRENT CHALLENGES • Dogfish presence affecting bottom fishing in some areas • Small pollock overwhelming some offshore spots • Fog and reduced visibility limiting safe navigation • Light winds reducing surface activity during daylight hours

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3-DAY FORECAST IMPACT MONDAY: S winds 5-10 kt, chance of showers and thunderstorms afternoon. Fishing should improve as front approaches, but weather may limit opportunities. TUESDAY: SW winds around 5 kt becoming S. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Post-frontal conditions may trigger feeding activity. WEDNESDAY: S winds 5-10 kt, continued chance of showers. Stabilizing conditions should improve fishing as pressure rebuilds.

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DETAILED AREA REPORTS

WESTERN LONG ISLAND SOUND (City Island to Port Jefferson): Water temps holding at 76°F with good clarity. The recent stable pressure has fish feeding actively during tide changes. Striped bass action is scattered but improving with live bunker and spot producing best results. Early morning topwater action reported but brief windows only. Structure fishing for sea bass showing consistent results with keeper-sized fish. CENTRAL SOUND (Port Jefferson to Mattituck): Fishing conditions rated good with rising pressure trend favoring increased activity. Local charter reports indicate solid sea bass action on structure with "jumbo keeper" fish being the norm. Fluke fishing showing improvement from recent slow period. NORTH FORK AREA (Mattituck to Orient Point): Excellent fishing conditions with very good rating. The convergence of currents in this area has concentrated baitfish, particularly bunker schools which are drawing predators. Striped bass fishing improving with fish responding to live bunker presentations. PECONIC BAY SYSTEM: Protected waters showing good fishing with less wind impact. Fluke fishing steady with boats working traditional channels and drop-offs. Water clarity good which is helping sight fishing opportunities. SHINNECOCK BAY TO MONTAUK: This area showing the most consistent action across multiple species. Montauk area reporting "WHOA!!!!" level porgy fishing according to charter reports. Fluke action good to very good with afternoon trips outproducing morning due to better tide timing and less pressure. OFFSHORE (20+ MILES): Conditions challenging due to fog and reduced visibility but productive for those able to navigate safely. Pollock fishing described as "best of the year to date" with abundant fish but requiring sorting through smaller specimens.

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BAIT & TECHNIQUES BAIT SITUATION: Bunker schools present and active, particularly in the North Fork area where convergent currents are concentrating them. Live bunker and spot producing best results for striped bass. Sandworms and clams working well for fluke and sea bass. CURRENT BITE WINDOWS: Best action occurring during major solunar periods (2:04-4:04 AM and 2:18-4:18 PM today). Tide changes producing most consistent action across all species. TECHNIQUES PRODUCING: • Live bunker and spot for striped bass (drift and anchor) • Bucktails with squid/spearing trailers for fluke • High-low rigs with clams/worms for sea bass and porgy • Topwater plugs during low-light periods for striped bass • Jigs worked on structure for sea bass

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EXPERT ANALYSIS The current weather pattern with stable to rising pressure is creating favorable feeding conditions, but the overcast skies and light winds are keeping surface activity subdued during daylight hours. Fish are adapting by feeding more aggressively during tide changes and low-light periods. Water temperatures in the 76-81°F range are pushing some species to seek cooler water during peak heating hours, making early morning and evening fishing more productive. The presence of abundant baitfish, particularly bunker schools, is keeping predator species in the area but they're being selective about feeding times. TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK: Monday's approaching weather system should trigger feeding activity as pressure begins to drop, but increasing winds and potential thunderstorms may limit safe fishing windows. Best opportunities will be early morning before weather deteriorates.

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SAFETY NOTES Fog and reduced visibility continue to be primary safety concerns. Mariners should have proper navigation equipment and consider postponing trips if visibility drops below safe levels. Thunderstorm potential Monday afternoon requires monitoring of weather conditions.

Report compiled from multiple sources including NOAA marine forecasts, local charter reports, social media fishing groups, and direct angler observations. Conditions subject to rapid change - always check current weather and marine forecasts before departing. Report Date: July 13, 2025 Next Update: July 14, 2025 - 6:00 AM​

 

[cany]

Thanks Susie

 

[MakoMatt]

Interesting to say the least……..