Well folks, winter has officially arrived on the Sound, and while the striped bass season closed on December 15th, there's still some action to be had if you know where to look. The blackfish season is winding down with the closure coming up on December 22nd, so if you want to get in on the tog bite, you've got just a few days left. Let me tell you what's happening out there.
Current Conditions
The water temperatures are hovering in the upper 40s throughout the Sound, which has the fish in their winter patterns. We just came off a full moon, which brought some strong currents that made the tog fishing a bit challenging, but the fish are still biting if you adjust your tactics. The weather has been typical December stuff, with some windy days mixed in, but we've had enough fishable windows to get out there.
Blackfish (Tautog) - Last Call!
The Western Long Island Sound just wrapped up one of the best blackfish seasons we've seen in a long time. I'm talking quality fish, with multiple reports of 7 to 9 pounders coming from various wrecks and structure. Just this past week, a nice 9.5 pound tog was reported from Montauk, and we've been seeing fish in the 5 to 6 pound range with regularity.
The full moon currents made things tougher this past week, but if you worked white crabs slowly and methodically, you could still put together a decent catch. The northern reef sites have been particularly hot for white chins. Hempstead Harbor, Manhasset Bay, and the various rock piles and wrecks throughout the Sound have all been producing.
With water temps in the upper 40s, the key is patience. Work those white crabs low and slow, and don't be afraid to downsize your hooks if the bite is finicky. The fish are there, they're just being a bit more selective with the cold water and strong currents.
Season closes December 22nd, so this is your last weekend!
Striped Bass - Catch and Release Only
The striped bass season closed on December 15th, but there are still fish around for those who want to practice catch and release. School sized stripers are being caught in Hempstead Harbor and Manhasset Bay on bone colored swim shads. These aren't the big cows we were seeing a few weeks ago, but they'll bend a rod and provide some action on these cold December days.
The 2025 regulations will remain the same as 2024, with a 28 to 31 inch slot limit and one fish per angler when the season reopens. For now, if you hook into a bass, handle it carefully and get it back in the water quickly.
Herring Run Starting
The herring are starting to make their appearance in some of the harbors and protected areas. Reports from Coney Island and other spots around the western Sound indicate that herring are being caught on sabiki rigs, though they're running smaller than last year's fish. They're hitting the upper hooks on the sabiki rigs, suggesting they're feeding a bit higher in the water column.
This is good news for bait fishermen, as fresh herring will be excellent for targeting those schoolie stripers and can be frozen for spring fishing.
Sea Bass - Offshore Opportunities
While most of the Sound fishing is winding down, the offshore scene is still going strong. Boats heading out to the wrecks are finding excellent sea bass fishing, with easy limits of jumbo "knot head" sea bass. Some of these fish are pushing 6.5 pounds, which are true trophy sea bass. The party boats out of Captree and other ports are sailing daily for these fish, and if you can handle the weather, it's well worth the trip.
Weather Outlook
Looking ahead to the next few days, we've got some challenging weather coming. Friday (today) is going to be rough, with gale warnings in effect and south winds 25 to 30 knots with gusts to 45 knots on the Sound. Seas will be 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. This is not a day to be out there unless you're in a serious boat and know what you're doing.
Friday night continues the gale warning with west winds 25 to 30 knots and gusts to 40 knots. Saturday looks better, with west winds diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon and seas subsiding to 3 to 5 feet. That might be your best bet for getting out for those last few tog before the season closes.
Sunday brings another round of west winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts to 30 knots, and Monday looks similar with northwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Tuesday could see another weather system move through with southwest winds and rain.
Freshwater Options
For those looking to stay inshore and out of the wind, the freshwater scene is picking up. The Connetquot River is fishing well for trout, with euro nymphing, streamer fishing, and indicator nymphing all producing solid fish. The ponds have been stocked with trout, and they're eating all winter long. A split shot rig with a worm, some dough, or eggs will do the trick. Slow moving inline spinners and small jigs always entice a bite too.
White perch are also available in the brackish water creeks and rivers. They're tricky to locate, but once you find them, they're a blast to catch on light tackle. A basic split shot rig with a live worm will help you search for them, and once you locate a school, switch to a small curly tail jig and keep at it.
Final Thoughts
This is the time of year when the fair weather anglers pack it in, but for those of us who love to fish year round, there are still opportunities out there. The blackfish season is closing, but you've got a few more days to get after them. The offshore sea bass fishing is excellent if you can handle the conditions. And if you want to stay close to home, the freshwater trout and white perch fishing can keep you busy through the winter.
Bundle up, watch the weather, and get out there while you can. Winter fishing isn't for everyone, but for those who embrace it, it can be some of the most rewarding fishing of the year.
Tight lines,
Salty Sal
Current Conditions
The water temperatures are hovering in the upper 40s throughout the Sound, which has the fish in their winter patterns. We just came off a full moon, which brought some strong currents that made the tog fishing a bit challenging, but the fish are still biting if you adjust your tactics. The weather has been typical December stuff, with some windy days mixed in, but we've had enough fishable windows to get out there.
Blackfish (Tautog) - Last Call!
The Western Long Island Sound just wrapped up one of the best blackfish seasons we've seen in a long time. I'm talking quality fish, with multiple reports of 7 to 9 pounders coming from various wrecks and structure. Just this past week, a nice 9.5 pound tog was reported from Montauk, and we've been seeing fish in the 5 to 6 pound range with regularity.
The full moon currents made things tougher this past week, but if you worked white crabs slowly and methodically, you could still put together a decent catch. The northern reef sites have been particularly hot for white chins. Hempstead Harbor, Manhasset Bay, and the various rock piles and wrecks throughout the Sound have all been producing.
With water temps in the upper 40s, the key is patience. Work those white crabs low and slow, and don't be afraid to downsize your hooks if the bite is finicky. The fish are there, they're just being a bit more selective with the cold water and strong currents.
Season closes December 22nd, so this is your last weekend!
Striped Bass - Catch and Release Only
The striped bass season closed on December 15th, but there are still fish around for those who want to practice catch and release. School sized stripers are being caught in Hempstead Harbor and Manhasset Bay on bone colored swim shads. These aren't the big cows we were seeing a few weeks ago, but they'll bend a rod and provide some action on these cold December days.
The 2025 regulations will remain the same as 2024, with a 28 to 31 inch slot limit and one fish per angler when the season reopens. For now, if you hook into a bass, handle it carefully and get it back in the water quickly.
Herring Run Starting
The herring are starting to make their appearance in some of the harbors and protected areas. Reports from Coney Island and other spots around the western Sound indicate that herring are being caught on sabiki rigs, though they're running smaller than last year's fish. They're hitting the upper hooks on the sabiki rigs, suggesting they're feeding a bit higher in the water column.
This is good news for bait fishermen, as fresh herring will be excellent for targeting those schoolie stripers and can be frozen for spring fishing.
Sea Bass - Offshore Opportunities
While most of the Sound fishing is winding down, the offshore scene is still going strong. Boats heading out to the wrecks are finding excellent sea bass fishing, with easy limits of jumbo "knot head" sea bass. Some of these fish are pushing 6.5 pounds, which are true trophy sea bass. The party boats out of Captree and other ports are sailing daily for these fish, and if you can handle the weather, it's well worth the trip.
Weather Outlook
Looking ahead to the next few days, we've got some challenging weather coming. Friday (today) is going to be rough, with gale warnings in effect and south winds 25 to 30 knots with gusts to 45 knots on the Sound. Seas will be 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. This is not a day to be out there unless you're in a serious boat and know what you're doing.
Friday night continues the gale warning with west winds 25 to 30 knots and gusts to 40 knots. Saturday looks better, with west winds diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon and seas subsiding to 3 to 5 feet. That might be your best bet for getting out for those last few tog before the season closes.
Sunday brings another round of west winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts to 30 knots, and Monday looks similar with northwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Tuesday could see another weather system move through with southwest winds and rain.
Freshwater Options
For those looking to stay inshore and out of the wind, the freshwater scene is picking up. The Connetquot River is fishing well for trout, with euro nymphing, streamer fishing, and indicator nymphing all producing solid fish. The ponds have been stocked with trout, and they're eating all winter long. A split shot rig with a worm, some dough, or eggs will do the trick. Slow moving inline spinners and small jigs always entice a bite too.
White perch are also available in the brackish water creeks and rivers. They're tricky to locate, but once you find them, they're a blast to catch on light tackle. A basic split shot rig with a live worm will help you search for them, and once you locate a school, switch to a small curly tail jig and keep at it.
Final Thoughts
This is the time of year when the fair weather anglers pack it in, but for those of us who love to fish year round, there are still opportunities out there. The blackfish season is closing, but you've got a few more days to get after them. The offshore sea bass fishing is excellent if you can handle the conditions. And if you want to stay close to home, the freshwater trout and white perch fishing can keep you busy through the winter.
Bundle up, watch the weather, and get out there while you can. Winter fishing isn't for everyone, but for those who embrace it, it can be some of the most rewarding fishing of the year.
Tight lines,
Salty Sal
