South Shore Sam's Bay & Inlet Report - October 21, 2025
Been a while since we had a good, clean swell roll in without a gale tearing it to shreds. The ocean's finally breathing again after that nor'easter, and the fish are right there with it. Water's cleaning up, bait's starting to stack, and those linesiders are getting that hungry look in their eyes. It's that time of year, folks. The time we wait for.
The Breakdown
That west wind is still hanging around, keeping things a little bumpy on the outside, but it's laying down. The New Moon tide is going to be the big story this week. We've got a strong pull, and that's going to get the bait moving out of the back bays and into the inlets, right where those big bass are waiting. Water temps are dropping into the low 60s, and that's the magic number. It's like flipping a switch. The blackfish are chewing, the bass are strapping on the feedbags, and the whole ecosystem is getting ready for the big migration.
Western Zone: Fire Island Inlet to Democrat Point
The bass are here, and they're hungry. We're seeing a good push of fish from the west, with some real quality bass in the mix. The bite inside the inlet has been solid on live-lined bunker and spot. The key has been finding the cleaner water on the outgoing tide. The fish are staging up on the drop-offs and ambush points, waiting for the bait to get flushed out. The surf guys are seeing some action on the sand, but the boaters are really getting into them. The blackfish bite is just getting going on the inlet rocks, with some keepers in the mix.
Central Zone: Democrat Point to Moriches Inlet
This zone has been a little more sporadic, but the fish are there if you put the time in. The surf has been producing some quality bass for the guys throwing darters and bottle plugs in the white water. It's a classic fall pattern. Find the birds, find the bait, find the fish. The inlet has been holding a lot of schoolie bass, with a few bigger fish mixed in. The key is to be there for the tide change, when the water is moving and the fish are feeding.
Eastern Zone: Moriches Inlet to Shinnecock Inlet
The east end is starting to light up. The bass are moving in from the east, and they're keyed in on the sand eels. The diamond jig bite has been productive in the rips, with fish to 35 pounds being reported. The surf guys are starting to see some action on the beaches, but the bite has been a little inconsistent. The blackfish bite is starting to pick up on the rock piles, with some quality fish being taken on crabs.
Sam's Take
This is the week to be on the water. The conditions are lining up, the fish are here, and the bite is only going to get better. That New Moon is going to be a game-changer. I'm expecting a big push of fish into the inlets and along the beaches. Get out there, put your time in, and you'll be rewarded. And remember, it's not just about the catching. It's about being out there, reading the water, and being a part of it all. Stay safe, and tight lines.
Been a while since we had a good, clean swell roll in without a gale tearing it to shreds. The ocean's finally breathing again after that nor'easter, and the fish are right there with it. Water's cleaning up, bait's starting to stack, and those linesiders are getting that hungry look in their eyes. It's that time of year, folks. The time we wait for.
The Breakdown
That west wind is still hanging around, keeping things a little bumpy on the outside, but it's laying down. The New Moon tide is going to be the big story this week. We've got a strong pull, and that's going to get the bait moving out of the back bays and into the inlets, right where those big bass are waiting. Water temps are dropping into the low 60s, and that's the magic number. It's like flipping a switch. The blackfish are chewing, the bass are strapping on the feedbags, and the whole ecosystem is getting ready for the big migration.
Western Zone: Fire Island Inlet to Democrat Point
The bass are here, and they're hungry. We're seeing a good push of fish from the west, with some real quality bass in the mix. The bite inside the inlet has been solid on live-lined bunker and spot. The key has been finding the cleaner water on the outgoing tide. The fish are staging up on the drop-offs and ambush points, waiting for the bait to get flushed out. The surf guys are seeing some action on the sand, but the boaters are really getting into them. The blackfish bite is just getting going on the inlet rocks, with some keepers in the mix.
Central Zone: Democrat Point to Moriches Inlet
This zone has been a little more sporadic, but the fish are there if you put the time in. The surf has been producing some quality bass for the guys throwing darters and bottle plugs in the white water. It's a classic fall pattern. Find the birds, find the bait, find the fish. The inlet has been holding a lot of schoolie bass, with a few bigger fish mixed in. The key is to be there for the tide change, when the water is moving and the fish are feeding.
Eastern Zone: Moriches Inlet to Shinnecock Inlet
The east end is starting to light up. The bass are moving in from the east, and they're keyed in on the sand eels. The diamond jig bite has been productive in the rips, with fish to 35 pounds being reported. The surf guys are starting to see some action on the beaches, but the bite has been a little inconsistent. The blackfish bite is starting to pick up on the rock piles, with some quality fish being taken on crabs.
Sam's Take
This is the week to be on the water. The conditions are lining up, the fish are here, and the bite is only going to get better. That New Moon is going to be a game-changer. I'm expecting a big push of fish into the inlets and along the beaches. Get out there, put your time in, and you'll be rewarded. And remember, it's not just about the catching. It's about being out there, reading the water, and being a part of it all. Stay safe, and tight lines.
