Hey everyone, South Shore Sam here with your mid December bay and inlet update. The striped bass season officially closed on December 15th, but don't put those rods away just yet. There's still plenty of action to be had in the bays, inlets, and nearshore waters if you're willing to brave the cold. Let me break down what's happening from Jones Inlet all the way out to Shinnecock.
Striped Bass - Catch and Release Mode
Even though the season is closed, there are still bass around, and catch and release fishing is keeping some anglers busy. The boat anglers are still getting into them outside the inlets, with fish ranging from schoolie size up to over 20 pounds being reported. The beaches haven't been producing much in terms of striped bass, but if you're willing to get on the water, the fish are there.
The tidal creeks on the South Shore are seeing some catch and release action as well. These fish are holding in the deeper holes and channels, waiting out the winter. If you're targeting them, fish low and slow with soft plastics or bucktails. The water is cold, so the fish aren't going to chase anything down. Put it right in front of their nose and work it slowly.
Remember, the 2025 regulations will be the same as 2024: 28 to 31 inch slot limit with one fish per angler. Handle any fish you catch carefully and get them back in the water quickly.
Blackfish (Tautog) - Final Days
The blackfish season closes on December 22nd, so you've got just a few more days to get in on this action. And what action it's been! The South Shore has seen some excellent tog fishing this fall and early winter, with fish up to 11 pounds being reported from the wrecks and structure.
This past week was a bit challenging with the full moon bringing strong currents, but the fish are still biting. The wrecks in different depths have been producing, and if you bounce around a bit, you can usually put together a nice catch. The key has been using white crabs and working them slowly in the current. Some days it's been a pick, other days the action has been steady.
Green crabs are still available at the local tackle shops, so stock up while you can. Bay Park Fishing Station has them in stock and is open Thursday through Sunday. Get those last trips in before the season closes!
Sea Bass - Offshore Bonanza
If you can handle the weather and sea conditions, the offshore sea bass fishing is absolutely on fire right now. The party boats out of Captree, Freeport, and the other South Shore ports are sailing daily and coming back with easy limits of jumbo sea bass. I'm talking true "knot heads" here, with some fish pushing 6.5 pounds.
The boats are targeting wrecks and structure, and the fish are big and abundant. If you're looking to put together a Feast of the Seven Fishes for Christmas, or just want to bend a rod a few more times before the year ends, these offshore wreck trips are a great option. Most boats are sailing right up until New Year's Eve, weather permitting.
The sea bass are also available on some of the closer inshore wrecks and structure for those who don't want to make the long run offshore. Cod, pollock, and ling are also in the mix if the weather permits getting out there.
Herring - Slow Start
The herring reports have been trickling in, but the numbers haven't been there yet like we'd hope. A few anglers have caught some individual herring on sabiki rigs, but we're not seeing the Christmas trees or half dozen herring per drop that we want to see. The fish that are being caught are noticeably smaller than last year's 8 to 12 inch fish.
The herring were hitting the upper hooks on the sabiki rigs, suggesting they're feeding a bit higher in the water column. Coney Island and some of the other western spots have seen a few fish, and alongside the herring action, there have been a few schoolie sized striped bass being caught at night. Some anglers have reported larger fish in the 30 inch range near the bridges and in the estuaries.
It's been feast or famine with the herring the past few seasons. Hopefully we'll see a good run soon, but for now, it's hit or miss.
Bay Conditions
The bays themselves are pretty quiet right now. The water temperatures are in the upper 40s, and most of the typical bay species have either moved out or are in their deep winter holes. Some hardy anglers are working the deeper channels and holes for whatever they can find, but it's slow going.
The back bays are still bringing some action, but it has slowed down quite a bit with the colder water temperatures. When you do find fish, the fishing can be very good, but locating them is the challenge.
Weather Outlook
The weather is going to be a major factor over the next few days. Friday (today) is going to be rough, with gale warnings in effect for the ocean waters. South winds 30 to 40 knots becoming west 25 to 30 knots, with seas 9 to 13 feet, occasionally to 17 feet. This is a day to stay home or work on your tackle.
Friday night continues the gale warning with west winds 30 to 35 knots and seas 9 to 12 feet, occasionally to 15 feet. Saturday looks better, with west winds diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon and seas subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. That's probably your best window for getting out for those last few blackfish before the season closes.
Sunday brings another round of west winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 30 knots, and seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Monday looks a bit calmer with northwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Tuesday could see another weather system with southwest winds and rain.
The inlets will be passable on Saturday afternoon and Monday, but Friday and Sunday are going to be challenging. Use good judgment and don't push it if conditions look sketchy.
Tackle Shop Updates
Lindenhurst Bait and Tackle reports that the party boats have been doing well targeting sea bass and other bottom fish on the wrecks. The blackfish continue to bite well, and there have been a few 9 to 10 pounders weighed in this past week. There's still a good array of saltwater options, but most of it closes at the end of the month, so get out there while you can. They'll be closing for the winter after the new year and reopening in March.
Bay Park Fishing Station has green crabs in stock and the fish are still biting. They're open Thursday through Sunday, so stop by and get your holiday shopping done. They're also offering gift cards, which make great stocking stuffers for the anglers in your life.
Freshwater Alternatives
If the saltwater scene is too rough or you just want a break from the cold wind, the freshwater options are picking up. White perch are available in the brackish water areas and tidal rivers. They're tricky to locate, but once you find them, they're a blast on light tackle. A split shot rig with a live worm or grass shrimp will do the trick.
The local ponds have been stocked with trout, and they're biting all winter long. A split shot rig with a worm, some dough, or eggs will work, as will slow moving inline spinners and small jigs. Mid day, when the water is warmest, is your best bet for good action.
Final Thoughts
We're in that transitional period where the fall fishing is over and the winter fishing is just getting started. 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 weather. And if you want to stay inshore, there are still some striped bass around for catch and release, and the herring are starting to show up.
This is the time of year when you really earn your fish. The weather is challenging, the water is cold, and the fish are less active. But for those who are willing to put in the effort, there are still rewards to be had. Bundle up, watch the weather forecasts, and get out there when the windows open up.
Tight lines and stay safe out there,
South Shore Sam
Striped Bass - Catch and Release Mode
Even though the season is closed, there are still bass around, and catch and release fishing is keeping some anglers busy. The boat anglers are still getting into them outside the inlets, with fish ranging from schoolie size up to over 20 pounds being reported. The beaches haven't been producing much in terms of striped bass, but if you're willing to get on the water, the fish are there.
The tidal creeks on the South Shore are seeing some catch and release action as well. These fish are holding in the deeper holes and channels, waiting out the winter. If you're targeting them, fish low and slow with soft plastics or bucktails. The water is cold, so the fish aren't going to chase anything down. Put it right in front of their nose and work it slowly.
Remember, the 2025 regulations will be the same as 2024: 28 to 31 inch slot limit with one fish per angler. Handle any fish you catch carefully and get them back in the water quickly.
Blackfish (Tautog) - Final Days
The blackfish season closes on December 22nd, so you've got just a few more days to get in on this action. And what action it's been! The South Shore has seen some excellent tog fishing this fall and early winter, with fish up to 11 pounds being reported from the wrecks and structure.
This past week was a bit challenging with the full moon bringing strong currents, but the fish are still biting. The wrecks in different depths have been producing, and if you bounce around a bit, you can usually put together a nice catch. The key has been using white crabs and working them slowly in the current. Some days it's been a pick, other days the action has been steady.
Green crabs are still available at the local tackle shops, so stock up while you can. Bay Park Fishing Station has them in stock and is open Thursday through Sunday. Get those last trips in before the season closes!
Sea Bass - Offshore Bonanza
If you can handle the weather and sea conditions, the offshore sea bass fishing is absolutely on fire right now. The party boats out of Captree, Freeport, and the other South Shore ports are sailing daily and coming back with easy limits of jumbo sea bass. I'm talking true "knot heads" here, with some fish pushing 6.5 pounds.
The boats are targeting wrecks and structure, and the fish are big and abundant. If you're looking to put together a Feast of the Seven Fishes for Christmas, or just want to bend a rod a few more times before the year ends, these offshore wreck trips are a great option. Most boats are sailing right up until New Year's Eve, weather permitting.
The sea bass are also available on some of the closer inshore wrecks and structure for those who don't want to make the long run offshore. Cod, pollock, and ling are also in the mix if the weather permits getting out there.
Herring - Slow Start
The herring reports have been trickling in, but the numbers haven't been there yet like we'd hope. A few anglers have caught some individual herring on sabiki rigs, but we're not seeing the Christmas trees or half dozen herring per drop that we want to see. The fish that are being caught are noticeably smaller than last year's 8 to 12 inch fish.
The herring were hitting the upper hooks on the sabiki rigs, suggesting they're feeding a bit higher in the water column. Coney Island and some of the other western spots have seen a few fish, and alongside the herring action, there have been a few schoolie sized striped bass being caught at night. Some anglers have reported larger fish in the 30 inch range near the bridges and in the estuaries.
It's been feast or famine with the herring the past few seasons. Hopefully we'll see a good run soon, but for now, it's hit or miss.
Bay Conditions
The bays themselves are pretty quiet right now. The water temperatures are in the upper 40s, and most of the typical bay species have either moved out or are in their deep winter holes. Some hardy anglers are working the deeper channels and holes for whatever they can find, but it's slow going.
The back bays are still bringing some action, but it has slowed down quite a bit with the colder water temperatures. When you do find fish, the fishing can be very good, but locating them is the challenge.
Weather Outlook
The weather is going to be a major factor over the next few days. Friday (today) is going to be rough, with gale warnings in effect for the ocean waters. South winds 30 to 40 knots becoming west 25 to 30 knots, with seas 9 to 13 feet, occasionally to 17 feet. This is a day to stay home or work on your tackle.
Friday night continues the gale warning with west winds 30 to 35 knots and seas 9 to 12 feet, occasionally to 15 feet. Saturday looks better, with west winds diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon and seas subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. That's probably your best window for getting out for those last few blackfish before the season closes.
Sunday brings another round of west winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 30 knots, and seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Monday looks a bit calmer with northwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Tuesday could see another weather system with southwest winds and rain.
The inlets will be passable on Saturday afternoon and Monday, but Friday and Sunday are going to be challenging. Use good judgment and don't push it if conditions look sketchy.
Tackle Shop Updates
Lindenhurst Bait and Tackle reports that the party boats have been doing well targeting sea bass and other bottom fish on the wrecks. The blackfish continue to bite well, and there have been a few 9 to 10 pounders weighed in this past week. There's still a good array of saltwater options, but most of it closes at the end of the month, so get out there while you can. They'll be closing for the winter after the new year and reopening in March.
Bay Park Fishing Station has green crabs in stock and the fish are still biting. They're open Thursday through Sunday, so stop by and get your holiday shopping done. They're also offering gift cards, which make great stocking stuffers for the anglers in your life.
Freshwater Alternatives
If the saltwater scene is too rough or you just want a break from the cold wind, the freshwater options are picking up. White perch are available in the brackish water areas and tidal rivers. They're tricky to locate, but once you find them, they're a blast on light tackle. A split shot rig with a live worm or grass shrimp will do the trick.
The local ponds have been stocked with trout, and they're biting all winter long. A split shot rig with a worm, some dough, or eggs will work, as will slow moving inline spinners and small jigs. Mid day, when the water is warmest, is your best bet for good action.
Final Thoughts
We're in that transitional period where the fall fishing is over and the winter fishing is just getting started. 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 weather. And if you want to stay inshore, there are still some striped bass around for catch and release, and the herring are starting to show up.
This is the time of year when you really earn your fish. The weather is challenging, the water is cold, and the fish are less active. But for those who are willing to put in the effort, there are still rewards to be had. Bundle up, watch the weather forecasts, and get out there when the windows open up.
Tight lines and stay safe out there,
South Shore Sam
