South Shore Sam's Complete Bay & Inlet Fishing Report - October 31, 2025
Morning, everyone. We've got a gale blowing through today with west winds pushing 30 to 40 knots and seas building to 11 to 15 feet offshore, but this is actually setting up perfectly for what's coming. When a low-pressure system like this moves through and the barometer drops, it triggers a feeding response in striped bass that's almost primal. We saw it happen this week as the storm approached—the beaches absolutely exploded with fish coming in on the bars and feeding with an aggression I haven't seen in weeks. Now we wait for the blow to pass, and Sunday is shaping up to be one of those special days with light winds, calm seas, and fish that have been locked down for 48 hours ready to feed. Add in the approaching full moon on November 5th, and we're entering the prime window of fall fishing.
The full moon creates exaggerated tides with stronger currents, higher flood tides, and lower ebb tides. This puts baitfish like sand eels and peanut bunker at the mercy of the current, concentrating them in predictable areas and making them vulnerable. Striped bass know this, and they position themselves to take advantage. The three days before and after the full moon are historically the most productive of any lunar cycle, and with water temperatures in the low 60s and massive bait concentrations along the South Shore, everything is lining up.
Western Zone - Fire Island Inlet to Democrat Point
The bay systems in the western zone have been holding good numbers of striped bass, with fish ranging from schoolies to slot-size and the occasional 20-plus pounder mixed in. The topwater bite has been strong during the day, with fish blitzing on baitfish in the back bays. Monster bluefish are also in the mix, absolutely crushing pencil poppers and creating explosive surface strikes. These aren't your typical cocktail blues—we're talking fish in the 10 to 15 pound range that will test your drag and your knots.
The inlet areas are loaded with bait right now. Peanut bunker, sand eels, and spot are all present in good numbers, and the predators are taking advantage. Live-lining spot has been particularly effective for targeting larger striped bass, with fish in the 30 to 40 inch range coming to the boat. The key is keeping your spot lively and presenting them in areas with current where the bass are positioned to feed.
Blackfish are moving to deeper water as temperatures drop, and the bite is transitioning from the shallow rocky areas to wrecks and deeper structure. The local bite is still good, but if you want to get into the better fish, it's worth making the run to the offshore wrecks where white chins to 8 pounds are being caught. Rigs, jigs, and green crabs are all producing, but make sure you have enough weight to hold bottom and a rod with the backbone to pull these fish out of the structure before they wrap you up.
Central Zone - Democrat Point to Moriches Inlet
Great South Bay continues to fish well for striped bass, with both boat and surf anglers finding success. The boat bite has been focused on finding pods of fish in the ocean and working them with bucktails, swim shads, SP Minnows, and jigs. The key is identifying what bait the fish are feeding on and matching it with your presentation. If they're on bunker, you want something with a larger profile and a slower retrieve. If they're on sand eels, downsize and work it faster.
The surf bite has been exceptional, particularly at night. Anglers grinding through the dark hours have been rewarded with fish in the 32 to 42 inch range, with sand eel-style paddletails like Joe Baggs Miracle Minnows, darters, and Swarters producing the best results. Some fish are coming up on the sand bars on needlefish, which tells you they're feeding actively in the wash. As the week progressed and the barometer dropped ahead of the storm, the beaches came alive with fish feeding aggressively on the bars. This is the kind of fishing we live for—fish crashing bait in the suds, rods bent, drags screaming.
The daytime surf bite has become more steady in terms of numbers and predictability. Bucktails, tins, swimming plugs, and plastics are all catching fish, with the majority being schoolies to slot-size with the occasional keeper mixed in. Leading up to the November full moon, expect to see more blitzing fish during the day and large waves of fish passing through with more consistency.
Eastern Zone - Moriches Inlet to Shinnecock Inlet
Moriches Bay has been absolutely loaded with striped bass, and the quality of fish has been impressive. Oversized bass are crushing live spot, and even albies have been mixed in at the inlet. The inlet is packed with bait, and early morning sessions have been producing the best action. If you're targeting the bigger fish, focus on the inlet mouth and the deeper channels during the moving tides. The current concentrates the bait and positions the bass to feed.
The weakfish bite in Moriches Bay continues to be strong, with good numbers of quality fish being caught. This has been one of the better weakfish years in recent memory, and if you haven't targeted them yet, it's worth putting some time in. Light tackle, small jigs, and live bait all work well.
Shinnecock Bay and the inlet area have been fishing similarly to Moriches, with good numbers of bass and bait concentrations at the inlet. The ocean side of the inlet has been producing fish for those willing to work the structure and current. As always with inlet fishing, respect the current and the structure, and don't put yourself in a bad position trying to get one more cast.
Ocean Beach - Surf Fishing Report
The South Shore surf has been on fire, and it's only going to get better. The Fred Golofaro Memorial South Shore Classic was won with a massive 51-inch striper by George Lang, which tells you the caliber of fish that are moving through right now. These aren't schoolies—these are mature, migratory bass in the 30 to 50 inch range that are feeding heavily as they make their way south.
The night bite has been the most consistent for quality fish, with anglers landing bass in the 32 to 42 inch range on sand eel imitations, darters, and needlefish. The key is fishing the sand bars during the moving tides when the fish are positioned in the wash feeding on bait being swept along. Bottle plugs, bottle darters, and yellow needlefish have all been producing, and it's worth having a variety of presentations to match the conditions.
As the barometer dropped this week ahead of the storm, the beaches exploded with activity. Fish came in on the bars and fed aggressively, giving anglers who braved the conditions some incredible fishing. Now we wait for the blow to pass, and when it does, those fish are going to be hungry. Sunday looks like the day to be out there.
Marine Forecast & Fishing Windows
Friday (Today): Gale warning. West winds 30-40 knots, seas 11-15 feet offshore, 6-9 feet nearshore. Stay home, tie flies, organize tackle.
Saturday: Winds diminishing to 20-25 knots, seas subsiding to 5-8 feet offshore, 4-6 feet nearshore. Fishable in protected bays by afternoon.
Sunday: Northwest winds 10 knots, seas 2-3 feet. This is your day. Calm conditions, clear skies, hungry fish.
Monday: South winds 10-15 knots increasing, seas 2-3 feet. Chance of showers. Fish early before the front moves in.
The Full Moon Window - November 1-8
The full moon on November 5th marks the beginning of the prime fall fishing window. The main biomass of migratory striped bass hasn't moved through yet, and the exaggerated tides around the full moon are going to be the trigger. For surf anglers, this means big fish migrating through the ocean and feeding aggressively in the wash. For bay anglers, this means fish staging at the inlets and feeding on the massive bait concentrations before making their push south.
Focus your efforts on the three days before and after the full moon. Fish the moving tides, particularly the first two hours of the outgoing when bait is being flushed out of the bays and the bass are positioned to feed. In the surf, focus on the sand bars and the troughs during the incoming tide when bait is being pushed into the wash.
Tackle and Techniques
For the surf, you want a 10 to 11 foot rod capable of throwing 3 to 5 ounces. 30 to 50 pound braid to a 30 to 40 pound fluorocarbon leader. In your plug bag: bottle darters, yellow needlefish, Yo-Zuri Mag Darters, bucktails, pencil poppers, Joe Baggs Swarters, SP Minnows, and an array of tins. Match your presentation to the conditions and the bait.
For the bays, lighter tackle is more enjoyable. A 7 to 8 foot rod with 20 to 30 pound braid. Bucktails tipped with soft plastics, swim shads, and jigs are all effective. If you're live-lining spot or bunker, use a circle hook and let the fish take it before setting the hook.
For blackfish, a rod with a sensitive tip and enough backbone to pull them out of the rocks. 30 to 40 pound braid to a 30 pound fluorocarbon leader. Traditional rigs with green crabs are outproducing jigs right now.
The fishing is good, and it's about to get great. Don't let this gale discourage you. Sunday is going to be beautiful, and the fish are going to be there. Put in the work, respect the water, and you'll be rewarded.
Tight lines,
South Shore Sam
Morning, everyone. We've got a gale blowing through today with west winds pushing 30 to 40 knots and seas building to 11 to 15 feet offshore, but this is actually setting up perfectly for what's coming. When a low-pressure system like this moves through and the barometer drops, it triggers a feeding response in striped bass that's almost primal. We saw it happen this week as the storm approached—the beaches absolutely exploded with fish coming in on the bars and feeding with an aggression I haven't seen in weeks. Now we wait for the blow to pass, and Sunday is shaping up to be one of those special days with light winds, calm seas, and fish that have been locked down for 48 hours ready to feed. Add in the approaching full moon on November 5th, and we're entering the prime window of fall fishing.
The full moon creates exaggerated tides with stronger currents, higher flood tides, and lower ebb tides. This puts baitfish like sand eels and peanut bunker at the mercy of the current, concentrating them in predictable areas and making them vulnerable. Striped bass know this, and they position themselves to take advantage. The three days before and after the full moon are historically the most productive of any lunar cycle, and with water temperatures in the low 60s and massive bait concentrations along the South Shore, everything is lining up.
Western Zone - Fire Island Inlet to Democrat Point
The bay systems in the western zone have been holding good numbers of striped bass, with fish ranging from schoolies to slot-size and the occasional 20-plus pounder mixed in. The topwater bite has been strong during the day, with fish blitzing on baitfish in the back bays. Monster bluefish are also in the mix, absolutely crushing pencil poppers and creating explosive surface strikes. These aren't your typical cocktail blues—we're talking fish in the 10 to 15 pound range that will test your drag and your knots.
The inlet areas are loaded with bait right now. Peanut bunker, sand eels, and spot are all present in good numbers, and the predators are taking advantage. Live-lining spot has been particularly effective for targeting larger striped bass, with fish in the 30 to 40 inch range coming to the boat. The key is keeping your spot lively and presenting them in areas with current where the bass are positioned to feed.
Blackfish are moving to deeper water as temperatures drop, and the bite is transitioning from the shallow rocky areas to wrecks and deeper structure. The local bite is still good, but if you want to get into the better fish, it's worth making the run to the offshore wrecks where white chins to 8 pounds are being caught. Rigs, jigs, and green crabs are all producing, but make sure you have enough weight to hold bottom and a rod with the backbone to pull these fish out of the structure before they wrap you up.
Central Zone - Democrat Point to Moriches Inlet
Great South Bay continues to fish well for striped bass, with both boat and surf anglers finding success. The boat bite has been focused on finding pods of fish in the ocean and working them with bucktails, swim shads, SP Minnows, and jigs. The key is identifying what bait the fish are feeding on and matching it with your presentation. If they're on bunker, you want something with a larger profile and a slower retrieve. If they're on sand eels, downsize and work it faster.
The surf bite has been exceptional, particularly at night. Anglers grinding through the dark hours have been rewarded with fish in the 32 to 42 inch range, with sand eel-style paddletails like Joe Baggs Miracle Minnows, darters, and Swarters producing the best results. Some fish are coming up on the sand bars on needlefish, which tells you they're feeding actively in the wash. As the week progressed and the barometer dropped ahead of the storm, the beaches came alive with fish feeding aggressively on the bars. This is the kind of fishing we live for—fish crashing bait in the suds, rods bent, drags screaming.
The daytime surf bite has become more steady in terms of numbers and predictability. Bucktails, tins, swimming plugs, and plastics are all catching fish, with the majority being schoolies to slot-size with the occasional keeper mixed in. Leading up to the November full moon, expect to see more blitzing fish during the day and large waves of fish passing through with more consistency.
Eastern Zone - Moriches Inlet to Shinnecock Inlet
Moriches Bay has been absolutely loaded with striped bass, and the quality of fish has been impressive. Oversized bass are crushing live spot, and even albies have been mixed in at the inlet. The inlet is packed with bait, and early morning sessions have been producing the best action. If you're targeting the bigger fish, focus on the inlet mouth and the deeper channels during the moving tides. The current concentrates the bait and positions the bass to feed.
The weakfish bite in Moriches Bay continues to be strong, with good numbers of quality fish being caught. This has been one of the better weakfish years in recent memory, and if you haven't targeted them yet, it's worth putting some time in. Light tackle, small jigs, and live bait all work well.
Shinnecock Bay and the inlet area have been fishing similarly to Moriches, with good numbers of bass and bait concentrations at the inlet. The ocean side of the inlet has been producing fish for those willing to work the structure and current. As always with inlet fishing, respect the current and the structure, and don't put yourself in a bad position trying to get one more cast.
Ocean Beach - Surf Fishing Report
The South Shore surf has been on fire, and it's only going to get better. The Fred Golofaro Memorial South Shore Classic was won with a massive 51-inch striper by George Lang, which tells you the caliber of fish that are moving through right now. These aren't schoolies—these are mature, migratory bass in the 30 to 50 inch range that are feeding heavily as they make their way south.
The night bite has been the most consistent for quality fish, with anglers landing bass in the 32 to 42 inch range on sand eel imitations, darters, and needlefish. The key is fishing the sand bars during the moving tides when the fish are positioned in the wash feeding on bait being swept along. Bottle plugs, bottle darters, and yellow needlefish have all been producing, and it's worth having a variety of presentations to match the conditions.
As the barometer dropped this week ahead of the storm, the beaches exploded with activity. Fish came in on the bars and fed aggressively, giving anglers who braved the conditions some incredible fishing. Now we wait for the blow to pass, and when it does, those fish are going to be hungry. Sunday looks like the day to be out there.
Marine Forecast & Fishing Windows
Friday (Today): Gale warning. West winds 30-40 knots, seas 11-15 feet offshore, 6-9 feet nearshore. Stay home, tie flies, organize tackle.
Saturday: Winds diminishing to 20-25 knots, seas subsiding to 5-8 feet offshore, 4-6 feet nearshore. Fishable in protected bays by afternoon.
Sunday: Northwest winds 10 knots, seas 2-3 feet. This is your day. Calm conditions, clear skies, hungry fish.
Monday: South winds 10-15 knots increasing, seas 2-3 feet. Chance of showers. Fish early before the front moves in.
The Full Moon Window - November 1-8
The full moon on November 5th marks the beginning of the prime fall fishing window. The main biomass of migratory striped bass hasn't moved through yet, and the exaggerated tides around the full moon are going to be the trigger. For surf anglers, this means big fish migrating through the ocean and feeding aggressively in the wash. For bay anglers, this means fish staging at the inlets and feeding on the massive bait concentrations before making their push south.
Focus your efforts on the three days before and after the full moon. Fish the moving tides, particularly the first two hours of the outgoing when bait is being flushed out of the bays and the bass are positioned to feed. In the surf, focus on the sand bars and the troughs during the incoming tide when bait is being pushed into the wash.
Tackle and Techniques
For the surf, you want a 10 to 11 foot rod capable of throwing 3 to 5 ounces. 30 to 50 pound braid to a 30 to 40 pound fluorocarbon leader. In your plug bag: bottle darters, yellow needlefish, Yo-Zuri Mag Darters, bucktails, pencil poppers, Joe Baggs Swarters, SP Minnows, and an array of tins. Match your presentation to the conditions and the bait.
For the bays, lighter tackle is more enjoyable. A 7 to 8 foot rod with 20 to 30 pound braid. Bucktails tipped with soft plastics, swim shads, and jigs are all effective. If you're live-lining spot or bunker, use a circle hook and let the fish take it before setting the hook.
For blackfish, a rod with a sensitive tip and enough backbone to pull them out of the rocks. 30 to 40 pound braid to a 30 pound fluorocarbon leader. Traditional rigs with green crabs are outproducing jigs right now.
The fishing is good, and it's about to get great. Don't let this gale discourage you. Sunday is going to be beautiful, and the fish are going to be there. Put in the work, respect the water, and you'll be rewarded.
Tight lines,
South Shore Sam
