A calm sea never made a skilled sailor, and this past week has been a testament to that. The lingering effects of the nor'easter have finally started to settle, and with the strong northerly winds we've seen over the last 24 hours, conditions are shaping up for a classic fall run. The water is alive, the bait is getting pushed around, and the fish are responding. It's the time of year we wait for.
Overall Assessment
The key takeaway for this weekend is that the fall bite is in full swing, but you'll have to work for it. The water temperatures are dropping into the mid-60s, which is the magic number for a variety of species. The strong north wind has been a double-edged sword. It's made for some choppy conditions, especially on the ocean side, but it's also pushed a lot of bait into the bays and inlets, and the fish have followed. The name of the game right now is finding clean water and active bait. If you can do that, you'll find the fish.
Geographic Breakdown
Western Zone: Fire Island Inlet to Democrat Point
The blackfish bite is the main event here. The season opener was a success, and we're seeing a lot of quality fish being taken. The shallow-water bite has been particularly strong, with fish holding in 10 to 30 feet of water. The rockpiles and other structure inside the inlet are holding good numbers of fish. Light jigs tipped with green crabs have been the ticket. The striped bass are also in the mix, with schoolies and some larger fish being taken on topwater plugs and soft plastics, especially during the early morning and late evening hours.
Central Zone: Democrat Point to Moriches Inlet
This area has been a bit more exposed to the wind, but the fishing has still been solid. The porgy bite remains phenomenal, with fish being taken in both the bays and the ocean. The sea bass are also around in good numbers, but you'll have to head to the deeper water to find the bigger fish. The striped bass are scattered, but there are some quality fish to be had if you put in the time. Trolling mojos and bunker spoons has been effective for covering water and finding active fish.
Eastern Zone: Moriches Inlet to Shinnecock Inlet
The eastern zone has seen a similar pattern to the central zone, with a strong bottom fishing bite and a pick of striped bass. The blackfish are starting to show up in greater numbers, and the bite should only improve as the water continues to cool. The Shinnecock Canal is holding a variety of species, including blackfish, porgy, and striped bass. The key here is to fish the tides. The bite has been best on the moving tides, especially the last two hours of the flood and the first two hours of the ebb.
Bay Systems: Great South Bay, Moriches Bay, Shinnecock Bay
The bays are loaded with bait, and the fishing has been excellent. The striped bass are chasing the bait all over the bays, and topwater action has been fantastic at times. The key is to find the birds. If you find the birds, you'll find the fish. The porgy and sea bass are also in the bays in good numbers, and they're providing a lot of action for anglers of all ages.
Ocean Beach: Surf Fishing from Robert Moses to Southampton
The surf fishing has been a bit of a grind with the recent wind, but there are still fish to be had. The key is to find a good beach with a deep cut or trough. The fish will be holding in these areas, waiting to ambush bait. Bucktails and darters have been the top producers. The bite has been best during the low-light hours, so be prepared to put in some time in the dark.
Weather, Tide, and Fishability Outlook
The forecast for the weekend is looking good. The winds are expected to lay down, and the seas should follow suit. This will open up a lot of opportunities for anglers to get out and enjoy the fall run. The tides will be a major factor, so be sure to plan your trips accordingly. The fishability for the weekend is looking excellent. Get out there and enjoy it.
Tight lines,
South Shore Sam
Overall Assessment
The key takeaway for this weekend is that the fall bite is in full swing, but you'll have to work for it. The water temperatures are dropping into the mid-60s, which is the magic number for a variety of species. The strong north wind has been a double-edged sword. It's made for some choppy conditions, especially on the ocean side, but it's also pushed a lot of bait into the bays and inlets, and the fish have followed. The name of the game right now is finding clean water and active bait. If you can do that, you'll find the fish.
Geographic Breakdown
Western Zone: Fire Island Inlet to Democrat Point
The blackfish bite is the main event here. The season opener was a success, and we're seeing a lot of quality fish being taken. The shallow-water bite has been particularly strong, with fish holding in 10 to 30 feet of water. The rockpiles and other structure inside the inlet are holding good numbers of fish. Light jigs tipped with green crabs have been the ticket. The striped bass are also in the mix, with schoolies and some larger fish being taken on topwater plugs and soft plastics, especially during the early morning and late evening hours.
Central Zone: Democrat Point to Moriches Inlet
This area has been a bit more exposed to the wind, but the fishing has still been solid. The porgy bite remains phenomenal, with fish being taken in both the bays and the ocean. The sea bass are also around in good numbers, but you'll have to head to the deeper water to find the bigger fish. The striped bass are scattered, but there are some quality fish to be had if you put in the time. Trolling mojos and bunker spoons has been effective for covering water and finding active fish.
Eastern Zone: Moriches Inlet to Shinnecock Inlet
The eastern zone has seen a similar pattern to the central zone, with a strong bottom fishing bite and a pick of striped bass. The blackfish are starting to show up in greater numbers, and the bite should only improve as the water continues to cool. The Shinnecock Canal is holding a variety of species, including blackfish, porgy, and striped bass. The key here is to fish the tides. The bite has been best on the moving tides, especially the last two hours of the flood and the first two hours of the ebb.
Bay Systems: Great South Bay, Moriches Bay, Shinnecock Bay
The bays are loaded with bait, and the fishing has been excellent. The striped bass are chasing the bait all over the bays, and topwater action has been fantastic at times. The key is to find the birds. If you find the birds, you'll find the fish. The porgy and sea bass are also in the bays in good numbers, and they're providing a lot of action for anglers of all ages.
Ocean Beach: Surf Fishing from Robert Moses to Southampton
The surf fishing has been a bit of a grind with the recent wind, but there are still fish to be had. The key is to find a good beach with a deep cut or trough. The fish will be holding in these areas, waiting to ambush bait. Bucktails and darters have been the top producers. The bite has been best during the low-light hours, so be prepared to put in some time in the dark.
Weather, Tide, and Fishability Outlook
The forecast for the weekend is looking good. The winds are expected to lay down, and the seas should follow suit. This will open up a lot of opportunities for anglers to get out and enjoy the fall run. The tides will be a major factor, so be sure to plan your trips accordingly. The fishability for the weekend is looking excellent. Get out there and enjoy it.
Tight lines,
South Shore Sam
