As the final days of 2025 wind down, the South Shore is settling into its winter slumber. The striper season officially closed on December 15th, and while some catch-and-release action continues, the main focus has shifted to the last of the blackfish and the surprisingly strong sea bass bite on the offshore wrecks. For those of us who live by the tides, it's a time of transition, a final push before we trade our rods for reels in need of service and start dreaming of the spring run.
The back bays and inlets have quieted down considerably. The spotty striper blitzes that provided some late-season excitement in early December have all but disappeared. The water temperatures have dropped, and the remaining fish are mostly small, resident stripers. The real action has been on the party boats making the run to the deep-water wrecks. The sea bass bite has been phenomenal, with many boats reporting full limits of jumbo fish. The blackfish season also ended with a bang, with some nice tog taken from the local wrecks and reefs before the December 15th closure.
Looking ahead, the weather will be the determining factor. A strong gale is forecasted for the middle of the week, which will likely keep most boats tied to the dock through Christmas. For the hardcore anglers, there might be a few fishable days before the end of the year to make one last run for sea bass before the season closes on December 31st. After that, it's all about the freshwater scene and the holdover stripers in the tidal rivers until the spring thaw.
It's been a great season on the South Shore. Now it's time to enjoy the holidays, share some stories, and get ready for what 2026 has in store. Stay safe and tight lines.
The back bays and inlets have quieted down considerably. The spotty striper blitzes that provided some late-season excitement in early December have all but disappeared. The water temperatures have dropped, and the remaining fish are mostly small, resident stripers. The real action has been on the party boats making the run to the deep-water wrecks. The sea bass bite has been phenomenal, with many boats reporting full limits of jumbo fish. The blackfish season also ended with a bang, with some nice tog taken from the local wrecks and reefs before the December 15th closure.
Looking ahead, the weather will be the determining factor. A strong gale is forecasted for the middle of the week, which will likely keep most boats tied to the dock through Christmas. For the hardcore anglers, there might be a few fishable days before the end of the year to make one last run for sea bass before the season closes on December 31st. After that, it's all about the freshwater scene and the holdover stripers in the tidal rivers until the spring thaw.
It's been a great season on the South Shore. Now it's time to enjoy the holidays, share some stories, and get ready for what 2026 has in store. Stay safe and tight lines.
