South Shore Sam's Complete Bay & Inlet Report - November 28, 2025
Weather Window Analysis - Patience Required
The ocean's speaking loud and clear today, and what she's saying is "stay home." We've got gale warnings across the South Shore with west winds pushing 25-30 knots and gusts touching 35. The bays are churned up, the inlets are washing machines, and the ocean's running 5-8 feet with occasional 10-footers. This is a day for tackle maintenance and trip planning, not fishing.
But here's the thing about these late November blows - they set up excellent conditions for the following day. Saturday's forecast shows winds backing off to 15-20 and then dropping to 10-15 by afternoon. Seas will calm to 1-2 feet in the bays and 3-5 in the ocean. That's when you want to be on the water. The fish will be feeding after the blow, and the conditions will be manageable.
Western Zone - Fire Island to Democrat Point
The western end of our territory has been producing consistent striper action all week, and there's no reason to think that'll change once this weather system passes. Bass are chasing scattered bunker pods, and when you find the bait, you'll find the fish. The pattern's been pretty straightforward - bunker of all sizes are moving west, and the stripers are following.
Boat anglers have been crushing it. We're talking multiple hookups, fish from schoolies up to the mid-20-pound range, and action that's keeping rods bent throughout the tide. The key is mobility - you can't just sit and wait. Fill up the gas tank and move. When you find birds working, you've found your spot.
For techniques, it's been a mixed bag of productivity. Poppers are working when fish are up and feeding aggressively. Doc's plugs and fat shads are producing when fish are in the middle of the water column. For fly anglers, big hollow fleyes on intermediate line or Clousers on sink tip are hammering fish.
Fire Island Inlet has been fishable on the calmer days, with bass staging just outside the inlet and inside the channel. The current's been strong, so you need enough weight to get down and stay down. The bite's been best on the moving tide, particularly the outgoing when bait gets swept through the inlet.
Central Zone - Democrat Point to Moriches Inlet
The central section of the South Shore continues to fish well, though the action's been more spread out than in the western zone. Great South Bay is holding school bass that are actively feeding on peanut bunker. These aren't trophy fish, but they're willing and they're fun on light tackle.
The blackfish bite in the deeper sections of the bay has been solid. We're talking 40-70 feet of water around structure, and the tog are cooperating. Jigs have been outperforming traditional rigs, which tells me the fish are feeding actively rather than just picking. Green crabs remain the top bait, and you want enough weight to maintain bottom contact in the current.
Moriches Bay has been producing similar results - school bass on bait, tog on structure. The water's cold enough now that the fluke have moved out, so it's really a two-species game: bass and blackfish.
Eastern Zone - Moriches to Shinnecock
The eastern end of our range has been fishing well, particularly around Shinnecock Inlet and the bay system. Stripers are still being caught along the local beaches, giving surfcasters a last bit of action before winter shuts things down. The fish are running from schoolie size up to about 20 pounds, with the occasional larger fish mixed in.
Shinnecock Bay itself is holding bass around the usual structure - bridges, channel edges, drop-offs. The nighttime bite has been particularly good, with larger fish showing up after dark. The pattern's similar to what we're seeing in the Sound - moving water is essential, and large soft plastics are the go-to lure.
Moriches Inlet has been productive on the outgoing tide, with bass staging in the channel and just outside the inlet mouth. The current's been ripping, so heavy jigheads are necessary to maintain bottom contact.
Bay Systems - Great South, Moriches, Shinnecock
The bay systems are in their late-fall pattern now. Water temperatures are dropping steadily, and that's concentrating fish around deeper structure and current breaks. School bass are the primary target, and they're actively feeding on whatever bait's available - mostly peanut bunker and small spearing.
The blackfish bite in the deeper sections has been excellent. We're in the final weeks of the season, and the tog are cooperating. Focus on 40-50 feet around wrecks, rock piles, and bridge pilings. Green crabs on jigs or traditional rigs, with jigs showing a slight edge in productivity.
One thing I've noticed this week is the squid showing up around docks and lit structures at night. This is a bonus fishery that's worth exploring if you're looking for fresh bait or calamari for the table. Small jigs around the edge of the light cone, quick retrieves, and you'll put squid in the cooler.
Ocean Beach - Surf Report
The surf's been challenging this week, but that's November for you. We've had sporadic blitzes along the shoreline, though they're not as consistent as they were earlier in the month. Bass from schoolie size to 20 pounds are still being taken on a variety of lures - swimmers, metals, topwater plugs.
The issue right now is that the fish are often just out of casting range. Boat anglers are picking away at a decent wave of fish that's passing by, while surf guys are watching from the beach. It's frustrating, but it's part of the game. When the fish do come within range, it's game on.
The surf forecast for the weekend shows 2.5-3 feet on Friday building to 4 feet by Sunday. Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning looks like the best window, with offshore winds as the swell arrives. That's prime time for surf fishing - clean water, manageable waves, and fish that should be feeding after today's blow.
For techniques, large shads, poppers, and metal lips are the go-to options for bass on bunker. If you're seeing bait in the wash, match the hatch. If the water's clean and you can see structure, work it thoroughly. The fish are there, but you need to put your lure in front of them.
Comprehensive Weather Outlook
Friday, November 28: Gale Warning. West winds 25-30 knots gusting to 35. Ocean seas 5-8 feet, occasionally to 10. Bay waters 2-4 feet. Dangerous conditions - stay off the water.
Saturday, November 29: Winds diminishing. West 15-20 knots becoming northwest 10-15 by afternoon. Ocean seas subsiding to 3-5 feet. Bay waters 1-2 feet. This is your prime day - conditions improving throughout the day.
Sunday, November 30: South winds 10-15 knots increasing to 15-20 in the afternoon. Ocean seas building to 4-6 feet. Showers developing, light in the morning, heavier in the afternoon. Morning window looks good, afternoon deteriorates.
Monday, December 1: Northwest winds 15-20 knots. Ocean seas 4-6 feet. Post-frontal clearing. Good fishing conditions.
Water temperatures are in the low 50s in the bays and upper 40s to low 50s in the ocean. We're seeing the seasonal decline that pushes fish into their winter patterns. This concentrates them around structure and makes them more predictable, but it also means we're running out of time before the season shuts down.
Sam's Tactical Playbook
For Striped Bass: Find the bait, find the fish. Bunker are moving west, so focus your efforts accordingly. Boat anglers should be mobile - don't sit and wait, go find them. Poppers, shads, and plugs are all producing. For fly guys, hollow fleyes and Clousers on appropriate lines. Nighttime bridge fishing for quality fish - large soft plastics, moving water, patience.
For Blackfish: Deep water around structure. 40-70 feet is the zone. Green crabs on jigs or rigs, with jigs showing a slight edge. Season's ending soon - if you want fresh tog, Saturday's your day.
For Surf Fishing: Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning looks like the best window. Offshore winds, manageable swell, clean water. Large shads, poppers, metal lips. Work the structure, match the bait, be patient.
The Bigger Picture
We're in the final act of the 2025 season. The water's cold, the fish are transitioning to winter patterns, and we've only got a few weeks left before things go quiet. But right now, there are quality fish to be caught. The blackfish season's about to close. The stripers are still here, but they won't be for long.
This weekend offers a solid weather window after today's blow. Saturday's your prime day - conditions improve throughout the day, and the fish should be feeding. Sunday morning offers another window before the next system moves in. Monday looks good for post-frontal action.
My grandfather used to say that the best fishermen aren't the ones with the fanciest gear or the biggest boats - they're the ones who understand the water and respect its rhythms. Right now, the water's telling us that winter's coming, but it's not here yet. There's still time. There are still fish. Get out there and make it count.
Tight lines and following seas,
South Shore Sam
Fire Island to Shinnecock
Weather Window Analysis - Patience Required The ocean's speaking loud and clear today, and what she's saying is "stay home." We've got gale warnings across the South Shore with west winds pushing 25-30 knots and gusts touching 35. The bays are churned up, the inlets are washing machines, and the ocean's running 5-8 feet with occasional 10-footers. This is a day for tackle maintenance and trip planning, not fishing.
But here's the thing about these late November blows - they set up excellent conditions for the following day. Saturday's forecast shows winds backing off to 15-20 and then dropping to 10-15 by afternoon. Seas will calm to 1-2 feet in the bays and 3-5 in the ocean. That's when you want to be on the water. The fish will be feeding after the blow, and the conditions will be manageable.
Western Zone - Fire Island to Democrat Point The western end of our territory has been producing consistent striper action all week, and there's no reason to think that'll change once this weather system passes. Bass are chasing scattered bunker pods, and when you find the bait, you'll find the fish. The pattern's been pretty straightforward - bunker of all sizes are moving west, and the stripers are following.
Boat anglers have been crushing it. We're talking multiple hookups, fish from schoolies up to the mid-20-pound range, and action that's keeping rods bent throughout the tide. The key is mobility - you can't just sit and wait. Fill up the gas tank and move. When you find birds working, you've found your spot.
For techniques, it's been a mixed bag of productivity. Poppers are working when fish are up and feeding aggressively. Doc's plugs and fat shads are producing when fish are in the middle of the water column. For fly anglers, big hollow fleyes on intermediate line or Clousers on sink tip are hammering fish.
Fire Island Inlet has been fishable on the calmer days, with bass staging just outside the inlet and inside the channel. The current's been strong, so you need enough weight to get down and stay down. The bite's been best on the moving tide, particularly the outgoing when bait gets swept through the inlet.
Central Zone - Democrat Point to Moriches Inlet The central section of the South Shore continues to fish well, though the action's been more spread out than in the western zone. Great South Bay is holding school bass that are actively feeding on peanut bunker. These aren't trophy fish, but they're willing and they're fun on light tackle.
The blackfish bite in the deeper sections of the bay has been solid. We're talking 40-70 feet of water around structure, and the tog are cooperating. Jigs have been outperforming traditional rigs, which tells me the fish are feeding actively rather than just picking. Green crabs remain the top bait, and you want enough weight to maintain bottom contact in the current.
Moriches Bay has been producing similar results - school bass on bait, tog on structure. The water's cold enough now that the fluke have moved out, so it's really a two-species game: bass and blackfish.
Eastern Zone - Moriches to Shinnecock The eastern end of our range has been fishing well, particularly around Shinnecock Inlet and the bay system. Stripers are still being caught along the local beaches, giving surfcasters a last bit of action before winter shuts things down. The fish are running from schoolie size up to about 20 pounds, with the occasional larger fish mixed in.
Shinnecock Bay itself is holding bass around the usual structure - bridges, channel edges, drop-offs. The nighttime bite has been particularly good, with larger fish showing up after dark. The pattern's similar to what we're seeing in the Sound - moving water is essential, and large soft plastics are the go-to lure.
Moriches Inlet has been productive on the outgoing tide, with bass staging in the channel and just outside the inlet mouth. The current's been ripping, so heavy jigheads are necessary to maintain bottom contact.
Bay Systems - Great South, Moriches, Shinnecock The bay systems are in their late-fall pattern now. Water temperatures are dropping steadily, and that's concentrating fish around deeper structure and current breaks. School bass are the primary target, and they're actively feeding on whatever bait's available - mostly peanut bunker and small spearing.
The blackfish bite in the deeper sections has been excellent. We're in the final weeks of the season, and the tog are cooperating. Focus on 40-50 feet around wrecks, rock piles, and bridge pilings. Green crabs on jigs or traditional rigs, with jigs showing a slight edge in productivity.
One thing I've noticed this week is the squid showing up around docks and lit structures at night. This is a bonus fishery that's worth exploring if you're looking for fresh bait or calamari for the table. Small jigs around the edge of the light cone, quick retrieves, and you'll put squid in the cooler.
Ocean Beach - Surf Report The surf's been challenging this week, but that's November for you. We've had sporadic blitzes along the shoreline, though they're not as consistent as they were earlier in the month. Bass from schoolie size to 20 pounds are still being taken on a variety of lures - swimmers, metals, topwater plugs.
The issue right now is that the fish are often just out of casting range. Boat anglers are picking away at a decent wave of fish that's passing by, while surf guys are watching from the beach. It's frustrating, but it's part of the game. When the fish do come within range, it's game on.
The surf forecast for the weekend shows 2.5-3 feet on Friday building to 4 feet by Sunday. Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning looks like the best window, with offshore winds as the swell arrives. That's prime time for surf fishing - clean water, manageable waves, and fish that should be feeding after today's blow.
For techniques, large shads, poppers, and metal lips are the go-to options for bass on bunker. If you're seeing bait in the wash, match the hatch. If the water's clean and you can see structure, work it thoroughly. The fish are there, but you need to put your lure in front of them.
Comprehensive Weather Outlook Friday, November 28: Gale Warning. West winds 25-30 knots gusting to 35. Ocean seas 5-8 feet, occasionally to 10. Bay waters 2-4 feet. Dangerous conditions - stay off the water.
Saturday, November 29: Winds diminishing. West 15-20 knots becoming northwest 10-15 by afternoon. Ocean seas subsiding to 3-5 feet. Bay waters 1-2 feet. This is your prime day - conditions improving throughout the day.
Sunday, November 30: South winds 10-15 knots increasing to 15-20 in the afternoon. Ocean seas building to 4-6 feet. Showers developing, light in the morning, heavier in the afternoon. Morning window looks good, afternoon deteriorates.
Monday, December 1: Northwest winds 15-20 knots. Ocean seas 4-6 feet. Post-frontal clearing. Good fishing conditions.
Water temperatures are in the low 50s in the bays and upper 40s to low 50s in the ocean. We're seeing the seasonal decline that pushes fish into their winter patterns. This concentrates them around structure and makes them more predictable, but it also means we're running out of time before the season shuts down.
Sam's Tactical Playbook For Striped Bass: Find the bait, find the fish. Bunker are moving west, so focus your efforts accordingly. Boat anglers should be mobile - don't sit and wait, go find them. Poppers, shads, and plugs are all producing. For fly guys, hollow fleyes and Clousers on appropriate lines. Nighttime bridge fishing for quality fish - large soft plastics, moving water, patience.
For Blackfish: Deep water around structure. 40-70 feet is the zone. Green crabs on jigs or rigs, with jigs showing a slight edge. Season's ending soon - if you want fresh tog, Saturday's your day.
For Surf Fishing: Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning looks like the best window. Offshore winds, manageable swell, clean water. Large shads, poppers, metal lips. Work the structure, match the bait, be patient.
The Bigger Picture We're in the final act of the 2025 season. The water's cold, the fish are transitioning to winter patterns, and we've only got a few weeks left before things go quiet. But right now, there are quality fish to be caught. The blackfish season's about to close. The stripers are still here, but they won't be for long.
This weekend offers a solid weather window after today's blow. Saturday's your prime day - conditions improve throughout the day, and the fish should be feeding. Sunday morning offers another window before the next system moves in. Monday looks good for post-frontal action.
My grandfather used to say that the best fishermen aren't the ones with the fanciest gear or the biggest boats - they're the ones who understand the water and respect its rhythms. Right now, the water's telling us that winter's coming, but it's not here yet. There's still time. There are still fish. Get out there and make it count.
Tight lines and following seas,
South Shore Sam
Fire Island to Shinnecock
