Aloha, South Shore ohana. Sam here with your Monday morning bay and inlet intelligence. As we roll into December, the fishing remains surprisingly steady for this time of year. The water's still holding some warmth, the bait's still around, and the fish are cooperating. Let's break it down zone by zone.
WESTERN ZONE - FIRE ISLAND INLET TO DEMOCRAT POINT
The striper action off Fire Island and Jones Inlet continues to impress. Bass are chasing scattered bunker pods off the western South Shore, with decent numbers showing up around tide swings. The bulk of the biomass has shifted west, which is typical for this time of year, but there's still plenty of opportunity for those who know where to look.
Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip confirms small schoolie stripers continue on the local beaches, though boat anglers heading into the ocean have found more consistent action. The ocean is outperforming the surf right now, with fish often staying just out of reach from the beach.
Bob's Bait and Tackle in Amity Harbor reports schoolie stripers still working the local beaches, offering light-tackle opportunities for surfcasters. The key is finding where the bait is concentrated close to shore—that's where you'll put together a bite.
FIRE ISLAND INLET & GREAT SOUTH BAY
Gypsea Charters out of Brooklyn delivered some really good blackfishing this past week. The little Gypsea has been seeing consistent 6-person limits on most trips, with fish up to 8 pounds. On the big boat, the more experienced anglers have been catching their limits, with the big fish of the week just over 7 pounds. The action has been great, with shorts keeping everyone busy throughout the day. Jigs seem to be outperforming the rigs most days. As the water continues to cool, the bigger fish should begin to bite.
The deep-water sea bass bite has been excellent. King Cod VII delivered a standout deep-water trip this week with fast, "up and down" giant sea bass action in the deep. After an easy ride east with a NW wind at their back, the crew found fish stacked up and willing to bite. This deep-water bite is worth targeting if you've got the range and the tackle.
CENTRAL ZONE - DEMOCRAT POINT TO MORICHES INLET
J&J Sports in Patchogue reports striped bass still holding on the west-end beaches, with decent numbers around tide swings. Notably, a shop regular stuck a 10-pound blackfish on the Connecticut side, showing that quality tog are still available for those targeting them. Tide swings are producing the best striper action, so plan your trips accordingly.
The bunker movement is the story right now. Bunker of all sizes are moving west, and mild weather might keep the season going a little longer than usual. Finding bait close to shore is the way to put together a bite. Don't just sit and wait—move around, find the birds, and find the fish.
EASTERN ZONE - MORICHES INLET TO SHINNECOCK INLET
The eastern zone has seen scattered fish on the beaches, with the fall run still in effect but becoming less consistent. Bass from schoolie size up to about 20 pounds are still being taken on a variety of swimmers, metals, and topwater plugs for both surf and boat anglers. Sporadic blitzes along the shoreline are still something to keep an eye out for, although they are not as consistent now.
The boat guys are having better success than the surf crowd, with fish often staying just out of reach from the beach. If you find the birds, you'll find the fish—all over the column. Poppers, Docs, and fat shads are all producing fish.
BAY SYSTEMS - GREAT SOUTH BAY, MORICHES BAY, SHINNECOCK BAY
Inside the bays, there are lots of rats around and some larger bass mixed in wherever the bait is. The key is finding where the peanut bunker are concentrated. School-size striped bass are actively working over these pods, and they're readily taking soft plastics, especially during high tide when bait is pushed tight to the banks.
On calm mornings, brief topwater feeds erupt as bass trap bait on the surface—short windows, but fast-paced action when it happens. Be ready to capitalize on these opportunities when they present themselves.
OFFSHORE & NEARSHORE ACTION
The nearshore bite has been impressive. Corazon Fishing Charters out of Freeport reports amazing catches of bass this past week, plus they caught and released a 107-inch bluefin tuna. These are the days that will be talked about for years. They're likely extending the season through December 7 due to the great fishing.
This shows that the tuna are still around in the nearshore zone, and if you've got the capability to target them, there's opportunity out there. The mild weather and lingering bait have kept these fish in our waters longer than usual.
WATER CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Water temperatures are dropping but remain warmer than average for early December. This is keeping bait in the system longer and maintaining fish activity. The bunker migration west is in full swing, and following this bait movement is key to consistent success.
Tide swings are critical for striper success right now. The fish are feeding aggressively on moving water, particularly around the inlets and structured areas. Plan your trips around the tide changes for best results.
SAM'S TACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
For striped bass: Focus on tide swings, find the bunker concentrations, and don't be afraid to move around. If you're boat fishing, you'll have better success than from the beach right now. Use swimmers, metals, topwater plugs, and soft plastics depending on conditions. High tide in the bays pushes bait to the banks—that's prime time.
For blackfish: Target deeper structures with jigs outperforming rigs. Fish up to 8 pounds are available, with bigger fish starting to bite as water cools. Focus on experienced techniques and be patient—the shorts will keep you busy, but the keepers are there.
For sea bass: The deep-water bite is excellent right now. If you've got the range, this is worth targeting for fast action and quality fish.
THE WEEK AHEAD
The mild weather pattern may extend our season longer than usual. Keep an eye on the bunker movement—where they go, the bass will follow. The blackfish bite should continue to improve as water temperatures drop and bigger fish become more active.
Sporadic blitzes are still possible, particularly on the western beaches. Be ready to move quickly when birds start working. The boat bite is more consistent than the surf right now, but shore anglers can still find success by targeting tide swings and bait concentrations.
SAM'S FINAL WORD
We're in a sweet spot right now, brothers and sisters. The water's still fishable, the bait's still around, and the fish are cooperating. This time of year requires patience and adaptability, but the rewards are there for those who put in the effort. Respect the water, read the conditions, and let the ocean tell you where to fish.
The fall run is winding down, but it's not over yet. Get out there, stay methodical, and enjoy these late-season opportunities. The ocean's still got gifts to give.
Mahalo and tight lines,
South Shore Sam
WESTERN ZONE - FIRE ISLAND INLET TO DEMOCRAT POINT
The striper action off Fire Island and Jones Inlet continues to impress. Bass are chasing scattered bunker pods off the western South Shore, with decent numbers showing up around tide swings. The bulk of the biomass has shifted west, which is typical for this time of year, but there's still plenty of opportunity for those who know where to look.
Saltwaters Bait and Tackle in West Islip confirms small schoolie stripers continue on the local beaches, though boat anglers heading into the ocean have found more consistent action. The ocean is outperforming the surf right now, with fish often staying just out of reach from the beach.
Bob's Bait and Tackle in Amity Harbor reports schoolie stripers still working the local beaches, offering light-tackle opportunities for surfcasters. The key is finding where the bait is concentrated close to shore—that's where you'll put together a bite.
FIRE ISLAND INLET & GREAT SOUTH BAY
Gypsea Charters out of Brooklyn delivered some really good blackfishing this past week. The little Gypsea has been seeing consistent 6-person limits on most trips, with fish up to 8 pounds. On the big boat, the more experienced anglers have been catching their limits, with the big fish of the week just over 7 pounds. The action has been great, with shorts keeping everyone busy throughout the day. Jigs seem to be outperforming the rigs most days. As the water continues to cool, the bigger fish should begin to bite.
The deep-water sea bass bite has been excellent. King Cod VII delivered a standout deep-water trip this week with fast, "up and down" giant sea bass action in the deep. After an easy ride east with a NW wind at their back, the crew found fish stacked up and willing to bite. This deep-water bite is worth targeting if you've got the range and the tackle.
CENTRAL ZONE - DEMOCRAT POINT TO MORICHES INLET
J&J Sports in Patchogue reports striped bass still holding on the west-end beaches, with decent numbers around tide swings. Notably, a shop regular stuck a 10-pound blackfish on the Connecticut side, showing that quality tog are still available for those targeting them. Tide swings are producing the best striper action, so plan your trips accordingly.
The bunker movement is the story right now. Bunker of all sizes are moving west, and mild weather might keep the season going a little longer than usual. Finding bait close to shore is the way to put together a bite. Don't just sit and wait—move around, find the birds, and find the fish.
EASTERN ZONE - MORICHES INLET TO SHINNECOCK INLET
The eastern zone has seen scattered fish on the beaches, with the fall run still in effect but becoming less consistent. Bass from schoolie size up to about 20 pounds are still being taken on a variety of swimmers, metals, and topwater plugs for both surf and boat anglers. Sporadic blitzes along the shoreline are still something to keep an eye out for, although they are not as consistent now.
The boat guys are having better success than the surf crowd, with fish often staying just out of reach from the beach. If you find the birds, you'll find the fish—all over the column. Poppers, Docs, and fat shads are all producing fish.
BAY SYSTEMS - GREAT SOUTH BAY, MORICHES BAY, SHINNECOCK BAY
Inside the bays, there are lots of rats around and some larger bass mixed in wherever the bait is. The key is finding where the peanut bunker are concentrated. School-size striped bass are actively working over these pods, and they're readily taking soft plastics, especially during high tide when bait is pushed tight to the banks.
On calm mornings, brief topwater feeds erupt as bass trap bait on the surface—short windows, but fast-paced action when it happens. Be ready to capitalize on these opportunities when they present themselves.
OFFSHORE & NEARSHORE ACTION
The nearshore bite has been impressive. Corazon Fishing Charters out of Freeport reports amazing catches of bass this past week, plus they caught and released a 107-inch bluefin tuna. These are the days that will be talked about for years. They're likely extending the season through December 7 due to the great fishing.
This shows that the tuna are still around in the nearshore zone, and if you've got the capability to target them, there's opportunity out there. The mild weather and lingering bait have kept these fish in our waters longer than usual.
WATER CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Water temperatures are dropping but remain warmer than average for early December. This is keeping bait in the system longer and maintaining fish activity. The bunker migration west is in full swing, and following this bait movement is key to consistent success.
Tide swings are critical for striper success right now. The fish are feeding aggressively on moving water, particularly around the inlets and structured areas. Plan your trips around the tide changes for best results.
SAM'S TACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
For striped bass: Focus on tide swings, find the bunker concentrations, and don't be afraid to move around. If you're boat fishing, you'll have better success than from the beach right now. Use swimmers, metals, topwater plugs, and soft plastics depending on conditions. High tide in the bays pushes bait to the banks—that's prime time.
For blackfish: Target deeper structures with jigs outperforming rigs. Fish up to 8 pounds are available, with bigger fish starting to bite as water cools. Focus on experienced techniques and be patient—the shorts will keep you busy, but the keepers are there.
For sea bass: The deep-water bite is excellent right now. If you've got the range, this is worth targeting for fast action and quality fish.
THE WEEK AHEAD
The mild weather pattern may extend our season longer than usual. Keep an eye on the bunker movement—where they go, the bass will follow. The blackfish bite should continue to improve as water temperatures drop and bigger fish become more active.
Sporadic blitzes are still possible, particularly on the western beaches. Be ready to move quickly when birds start working. The boat bite is more consistent than the surf right now, but shore anglers can still find success by targeting tide swings and bait concentrations.
SAM'S FINAL WORD
We're in a sweet spot right now, brothers and sisters. The water's still fishable, the bait's still around, and the fish are cooperating. This time of year requires patience and adaptability, but the rewards are there for those who put in the effort. Respect the water, read the conditions, and let the ocean tell you where to fish.
The fall run is winding down, but it's not over yet. Get out there, stay methodical, and enjoy these late-season opportunities. The ocean's still got gifts to give.
Mahalo and tight lines,
South Shore Sam
