Salty Sal's Long Island Sound Report - October 21, 2025
Well folks, if you've been waiting for the fall bite to really turn on, your patience is about to be rewarded. The Sound is fishing as good as I've seen it in years, and we're just getting started.
Blackfish Season - Off to a Roaring Start
The tautog season opened October 11th, and despite a nasty nor'easter throwing us a curveball mid-month, the blackfish bite has been nothing short of spectacular. We're seeing trophy-class tog in surprisingly shallow water - I'm talking 4 to 10 feet in some spots, with fish pushing into the high single digits and even touching that magical double-digit mark.
The Western Sound has been particularly productive. Anglers are finding success along rocky shorelines, wreck edges, and boulder fields, especially during the slower tidal stages. The key right now is light jigs paired with fresh green crabs. The water is still clear enough that these fish are getting picky, and the subtle presentation of a light jig is making all the difference. I've heard reports of limits coming from Port Washington, with fish up to 7 pounds, and one angler nailed a beautiful 9-pounder on a jig this past Sunday.
Over in the Central Sound around Mount Sinai, the bite has been consistent in 10 to 30 feet of water. Shore anglers are absolutely crushing it right now - if you've got access to structure from the beach, you're in business. The boat bite took a hit during the blow, but with calm weather finally settling in, this weekend should be prime time for anyone who can get out on the water.
Striped Bass - Topwater Magic Continues
The striper bite has been a tale of two fisheries. In the back bays and harbors, we're seeing tons of schoolies - 15 to 31 inches - absolutely demolishing bait under the dock lights at night. They're keyed in on peanut bunker, bay anchovies, and spearing. It's not trophy fishing, but it's consistent action and a great way to get the kids or newcomers hooked on the sport.
The real excitement, though, has been the topwater bite in the Central and Eastern Sound. We had a beautiful push of bass come through in early October, with fish ranging from schoolies up to 25-plus pounds hammering spooks and pencil poppers at first light and sunset. The Eastern Sound beaches saw a hard push of stripers just before the storm, and the fish were tight to the sand.
One thing I've been noticing - and this is important - is that the bass are getting pickier as the water stays relatively warm. You need to match the hatch. If they're on small bait, downsize your offerings. I've seen guys throwing big plugs getting skunked while someone with a small soft plastic or a properly sized bucktail is hooking up consistently.
False Albacore and Bonito - Still in the Mix
The albies are still around, particularly off the North Fork and out toward Montauk. We're seeing good size fish too - 6 to 8 pounds is common, but there are fish pushing into the mid-teens if you can find them. The key has been locating bait balls close to shore, though there are still plenty of fish in deeper water if you're willing to run offshore a bit.
Bonito are mixing in with cocktail bluefish in the Central Sound. Keep your eyes on the birds and have your epoxy jigs and Deadly Dicks ready. When you find them, it's fast and furious action.
Bottom Fishing - Porgies and Sea Bass Still Biting
Don't sleep on the bottom fishing. The porgy bite remains phenomenal, and we're seeing big sea bass coming from the deeper wrecks and rock piles. If the blackfish aren't cooperating or you just want to put some meat in the cooler, the bottom fishing is a reliable backup plan.
Weather and Water Conditions
That nor'easter really shook things up mid-October, but the bite is rebounding nicely. Water temperatures are finally starting to drop - we're in the low 60s in most spots - and that's triggering the classic fall patterns we all wait for. The forecast for the next few days looks excellent: light winds, calming seas, and stable conditions. This is prime time, folks.
Current water temps are still a touch warm for a really strong bridge bite at night, but give it another week or two of cooling and we'll see that pattern fire up in the Western Sound.
Looking Ahead - The Next 72 Hours
Tuesday through Thursday looks absolutely perfect. Light westerly winds transitioning to southwest, seas laying down, and stable barometric pressure. If you've been on the fence about getting out, this is your window.
For blackfish, focus on the shallows during slack tide or slow current. Fresh green crabs on light jigs are your best bet. For stripers, hit the harbors and dock lights after dark for schoolies, or work the beaches and points at first light with topwater plugs. The albies are still around for those willing to chase them - look for bait and birds.
The fall run is building, the water is cooling, and the fishing is only going to get better from here. Get out there and make it happen.
Tight lines,
Salty Sal
Well folks, if you've been waiting for the fall bite to really turn on, your patience is about to be rewarded. The Sound is fishing as good as I've seen it in years, and we're just getting started.
Blackfish Season - Off to a Roaring Start
The tautog season opened October 11th, and despite a nasty nor'easter throwing us a curveball mid-month, the blackfish bite has been nothing short of spectacular. We're seeing trophy-class tog in surprisingly shallow water - I'm talking 4 to 10 feet in some spots, with fish pushing into the high single digits and even touching that magical double-digit mark.
The Western Sound has been particularly productive. Anglers are finding success along rocky shorelines, wreck edges, and boulder fields, especially during the slower tidal stages. The key right now is light jigs paired with fresh green crabs. The water is still clear enough that these fish are getting picky, and the subtle presentation of a light jig is making all the difference. I've heard reports of limits coming from Port Washington, with fish up to 7 pounds, and one angler nailed a beautiful 9-pounder on a jig this past Sunday.
Over in the Central Sound around Mount Sinai, the bite has been consistent in 10 to 30 feet of water. Shore anglers are absolutely crushing it right now - if you've got access to structure from the beach, you're in business. The boat bite took a hit during the blow, but with calm weather finally settling in, this weekend should be prime time for anyone who can get out on the water.
Striped Bass - Topwater Magic Continues
The striper bite has been a tale of two fisheries. In the back bays and harbors, we're seeing tons of schoolies - 15 to 31 inches - absolutely demolishing bait under the dock lights at night. They're keyed in on peanut bunker, bay anchovies, and spearing. It's not trophy fishing, but it's consistent action and a great way to get the kids or newcomers hooked on the sport.
The real excitement, though, has been the topwater bite in the Central and Eastern Sound. We had a beautiful push of bass come through in early October, with fish ranging from schoolies up to 25-plus pounds hammering spooks and pencil poppers at first light and sunset. The Eastern Sound beaches saw a hard push of stripers just before the storm, and the fish were tight to the sand.
One thing I've been noticing - and this is important - is that the bass are getting pickier as the water stays relatively warm. You need to match the hatch. If they're on small bait, downsize your offerings. I've seen guys throwing big plugs getting skunked while someone with a small soft plastic or a properly sized bucktail is hooking up consistently.
False Albacore and Bonito - Still in the Mix
The albies are still around, particularly off the North Fork and out toward Montauk. We're seeing good size fish too - 6 to 8 pounds is common, but there are fish pushing into the mid-teens if you can find them. The key has been locating bait balls close to shore, though there are still plenty of fish in deeper water if you're willing to run offshore a bit.
Bonito are mixing in with cocktail bluefish in the Central Sound. Keep your eyes on the birds and have your epoxy jigs and Deadly Dicks ready. When you find them, it's fast and furious action.
Bottom Fishing - Porgies and Sea Bass Still Biting
Don't sleep on the bottom fishing. The porgy bite remains phenomenal, and we're seeing big sea bass coming from the deeper wrecks and rock piles. If the blackfish aren't cooperating or you just want to put some meat in the cooler, the bottom fishing is a reliable backup plan.
Weather and Water Conditions
That nor'easter really shook things up mid-October, but the bite is rebounding nicely. Water temperatures are finally starting to drop - we're in the low 60s in most spots - and that's triggering the classic fall patterns we all wait for. The forecast for the next few days looks excellent: light winds, calming seas, and stable conditions. This is prime time, folks.
Current water temps are still a touch warm for a really strong bridge bite at night, but give it another week or two of cooling and we'll see that pattern fire up in the Western Sound.
Looking Ahead - The Next 72 Hours
Tuesday through Thursday looks absolutely perfect. Light westerly winds transitioning to southwest, seas laying down, and stable barometric pressure. If you've been on the fence about getting out, this is your window.
For blackfish, focus on the shallows during slack tide or slow current. Fresh green crabs on light jigs are your best bet. For stripers, hit the harbors and dock lights after dark for schoolies, or work the beaches and points at first light with topwater plugs. The albies are still around for those willing to chase them - look for bait and birds.
The fall run is building, the water is cooling, and the fishing is only going to get better from here. Get out there and make it happen.
Tight lines,
Salty Sal
