What's up surf rats! Surf City Steve here with your mid December beach report. I know, I know, it's cold out there and the striped bass season is closed, but before you pack away your surf rods for the winter, let me tell you what's still happening along our beaches from Jones Beach all the way out to Montauk. Winter surf fishing is a whole different animal, and if you're willing to brave the elements, there are still fish to be caught.
Current Beach Conditions
The water temperature along the South Shore beaches is sitting in the upper 40s, which is typical for mid December. The beaches themselves have been relatively calm between weather systems, but we've got some serious wind and waves coming our way over the next few days. The sand has been shifting with the winter storms, creating new cuts and bars that will hold fish once things settle down.
The bait situation has changed significantly from a few weeks ago. The bunker and sand eels that were fueling the late fall blitz have mostly moved on, but there are still some pockets of bait around, especially near the inlets and in the deeper troughs.
Striped Bass - Catch and Release Only
The striped bass season closed on December 15th, so everything you catch now is catch and release. That said, there are still some fish around, though the beach fishing has been pretty slow. Most of the recent bass reports have been from boat anglers working outside the inlets, not from the surf.
That doesn't mean the surf is completely dead though. On the warmer, calmer days, there have been a few schoolie sized bass caught from the beaches, particularly around the inlets and in areas with structure. Fire Island, Jones Beach, and the Rockaways have all seen a few fish.
If you're going to target them from the surf, focus on the deeper troughs and cuts, especially during moving water. Bucktails, soft plastics, and metal lures worked slowly along the bottom are your best bets. The fish are lethargic in the cold water, so you need to work your lures slowly and keep them in the strike zone as long as possible.
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, take a quick photo if you want, and get them back in the water quickly. These fish need to survive the winter so we can catch them again in the spring.
Weather and Surf Forecast - Batten Down the Hatches
Alright, here's the deal with the weather, and it's not pretty for the next couple days. Friday (today) is going to be a complete washout for surf fishing. We've got gale warnings in effect with south winds 30 to 40 knots becoming west 25 to 30 knots. Seas are going to be 9 to 13 feet, occasionally to 17 feet. Add in showers and possible thunderstorms, and you've got a recipe for staying home and organizing 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. The surf is going to be huge and dangerous, so don't even think about going near the water.
Saturday starts to improve, with west winds 15 to 20 knots diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas will drop from 5 to 7 feet down to 3 to 5 feet by afternoon. This might be your first fishable window of the weekend, especially in the afternoon when the winds lay down a bit.
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. It'll be fishable for the hardcore guys, but it won't be comfortable.
Monday looks a bit better with northwest winds 15 to 20 knots and seas 3 to 5 feet. This might be your best day of the extended forecast for getting out on the beach.
Tuesday could see another weather system move through with southwest winds 20 to 25 knots and rain. We'll have to see how that develops.
Alternative Targets - When Bass Aren't Biting
When the striped bass aren't cooperating from the beach, there are still some other options to consider:
Offshore Fishing: If you can get on a boat and handle the conditions, the offshore scene is on fire right now. The party boats are sailing for sea bass and coming back with easy limits of jumbo fish. Some of these sea bass are pushing 6.5 pounds, which are true trophies. Cod, pollock, and ling are also in the mix on the deeper wrecks.
Blackfish: The tog season closes on December 22nd, so you've only got a few more days. The boats working the wrecks and structure have been catching quality fish up to 11 pounds. This isn't a surf target, but if you can get on a boat, it's worth it.
Herring: The herring are starting to show up in some areas, though the numbers haven't been great yet. If you're near Coney Island or some of the other western spots, you might be able to snag some on sabiki rigs. Fresh herring make great bait for striped bass when the season reopens.
Gear Check - Winter Surf Fishing Essentials
If you're going to fish the winter surf, you need to be prepared. Here's what you should have:
Waders: Chest waders are essential for winter surf fishing. Neoprene waders will keep you warmer than breathables, but they're heavier and less comfortable for long walks.
Layering: Dress in layers under your waders. Start with a moisture wicking base layer, add an insulating mid layer, and top it off with your waders. Don't forget a warm hat and gloves.
Korkers or Cleats: The rocks and jetties can be icy and slippery in winter. Korkers or studded sandals over your waders will give you much better traction.
Headlamp: The days are short in December, so you'll likely be fishing in the dark. A good headlamp is essential.
Rod and Reel: Your standard surf setup will work fine. I prefer a 10 to 11 foot rod with a spinning reel spooled with 30 pound braid. Keep your reel lubricated with cold weather grease.
Lures: Bucktails in 1 to 3 ounces, soft plastics, metal lures like AVA jigs, and swimming plugs are all good choices. Downsize from what you'd use in the fall, as the fish are more lethargic.
Beach Access and Parking
Most of the beach parking lots are open year round, though some have reduced hours in winter. Jones Beach, Robert Moses, and the town beaches are all accessible. Just be aware that some facilities like bathrooms and concessions are closed for the season.
The National Seashore beaches at Fire Island are accessible by foot, though ferry service is limited in winter. If you're willing to make the walk, you can have miles of beach to yourself.
Looking Ahead
As we move deeper into winter, the surf fishing will continue to be challenging. The water will get colder, and most of the fish will move offshore or into the deeper channels and bays. But there will still be windows of opportunity, especially on the warmer days and around the new and full moons when the tides are strongest.
The late winter and early spring can actually provide some excellent surf fishing when the water starts to warm up and the bait moves back in. So don't completely write off the beach for the next few months. Keep an eye on the weather and water temperatures, and be ready to hit the beach when conditions line up.
Final Thoughts
Winter surf fishing isn't for everyone. It's cold, it's often windy, and the fish are fewer and farther between than in the warmer months. But for those who embrace it, there's something special about having the beach to yourself on a winter day, with the only sounds being the waves and the cry of the gulls.
The striped bass season is closed, but there are still some fish around for catch and release. The weather over the next few days is going to be challenging, but by Saturday afternoon and into Monday, we should have some fishable windows. And if the surf isn't cooperating, consider getting on a boat for some offshore action.
So don't pack away your surf gear just yet. Keep it ready, watch the weather and surf forecasts, and be ready to hit the beach when the conditions allow. Winter surf fishing is a different game, but it's a game worth playing for those willing to put in the effort.
Stay warm, stay safe, and tight lines from the sand!
Surf City Steve
Current Beach Conditions
The water temperature along the South Shore beaches is sitting in the upper 40s, which is typical for mid December. The beaches themselves have been relatively calm between weather systems, but we've got some serious wind and waves coming our way over the next few days. The sand has been shifting with the winter storms, creating new cuts and bars that will hold fish once things settle down.
The bait situation has changed significantly from a few weeks ago. The bunker and sand eels that were fueling the late fall blitz have mostly moved on, but there are still some pockets of bait around, especially near the inlets and in the deeper troughs.
Striped Bass - Catch and Release Only
The striped bass season closed on December 15th, so everything you catch now is catch and release. That said, there are still some fish around, though the beach fishing has been pretty slow. Most of the recent bass reports have been from boat anglers working outside the inlets, not from the surf.
That doesn't mean the surf is completely dead though. On the warmer, calmer days, there have been a few schoolie sized bass caught from the beaches, particularly around the inlets and in areas with structure. Fire Island, Jones Beach, and the Rockaways have all seen a few fish.
If you're going to target them from the surf, focus on the deeper troughs and cuts, especially during moving water. Bucktails, soft plastics, and metal lures worked slowly along the bottom are your best bets. The fish are lethargic in the cold water, so you need to work your lures slowly and keep them in the strike zone as long as possible.
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, take a quick photo if you want, and get them back in the water quickly. These fish need to survive the winter so we can catch them again in the spring.
Weather and Surf Forecast - Batten Down the Hatches
Alright, here's the deal with the weather, and it's not pretty for the next couple days. Friday (today) is going to be a complete washout for surf fishing. We've got gale warnings in effect with south winds 30 to 40 knots becoming west 25 to 30 knots. Seas are going to be 9 to 13 feet, occasionally to 17 feet. Add in showers and possible thunderstorms, and you've got a recipe for staying home and organizing 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. The surf is going to be huge and dangerous, so don't even think about going near the water.
Saturday starts to improve, with west winds 15 to 20 knots diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas will drop from 5 to 7 feet down to 3 to 5 feet by afternoon. This might be your first fishable window of the weekend, especially in the afternoon when the winds lay down a bit.
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. It'll be fishable for the hardcore guys, but it won't be comfortable.
Monday looks a bit better with northwest winds 15 to 20 knots and seas 3 to 5 feet. This might be your best day of the extended forecast for getting out on the beach.
Tuesday could see another weather system move through with southwest winds 20 to 25 knots and rain. We'll have to see how that develops.
Alternative Targets - When Bass Aren't Biting
When the striped bass aren't cooperating from the beach, there are still some other options to consider:
Offshore Fishing: If you can get on a boat and handle the conditions, the offshore scene is on fire right now. The party boats are sailing for sea bass and coming back with easy limits of jumbo fish. Some of these sea bass are pushing 6.5 pounds, which are true trophies. Cod, pollock, and ling are also in the mix on the deeper wrecks.
Blackfish: The tog season closes on December 22nd, so you've only got a few more days. The boats working the wrecks and structure have been catching quality fish up to 11 pounds. This isn't a surf target, but if you can get on a boat, it's worth it.
Herring: The herring are starting to show up in some areas, though the numbers haven't been great yet. If you're near Coney Island or some of the other western spots, you might be able to snag some on sabiki rigs. Fresh herring make great bait for striped bass when the season reopens.
Gear Check - Winter Surf Fishing Essentials
If you're going to fish the winter surf, you need to be prepared. Here's what you should have:
Waders: Chest waders are essential for winter surf fishing. Neoprene waders will keep you warmer than breathables, but they're heavier and less comfortable for long walks.
Layering: Dress in layers under your waders. Start with a moisture wicking base layer, add an insulating mid layer, and top it off with your waders. Don't forget a warm hat and gloves.
Korkers or Cleats: The rocks and jetties can be icy and slippery in winter. Korkers or studded sandals over your waders will give you much better traction.
Headlamp: The days are short in December, so you'll likely be fishing in the dark. A good headlamp is essential.
Rod and Reel: Your standard surf setup will work fine. I prefer a 10 to 11 foot rod with a spinning reel spooled with 30 pound braid. Keep your reel lubricated with cold weather grease.
Lures: Bucktails in 1 to 3 ounces, soft plastics, metal lures like AVA jigs, and swimming plugs are all good choices. Downsize from what you'd use in the fall, as the fish are more lethargic.
Beach Access and Parking
Most of the beach parking lots are open year round, though some have reduced hours in winter. Jones Beach, Robert Moses, and the town beaches are all accessible. Just be aware that some facilities like bathrooms and concessions are closed for the season.
The National Seashore beaches at Fire Island are accessible by foot, though ferry service is limited in winter. If you're willing to make the walk, you can have miles of beach to yourself.
Looking Ahead
As we move deeper into winter, the surf fishing will continue to be challenging. The water will get colder, and most of the fish will move offshore or into the deeper channels and bays. But there will still be windows of opportunity, especially on the warmer days and around the new and full moons when the tides are strongest.
The late winter and early spring can actually provide some excellent surf fishing when the water starts to warm up and the bait moves back in. So don't completely write off the beach for the next few months. Keep an eye on the weather and water temperatures, and be ready to hit the beach when conditions line up.
Final Thoughts
Winter surf fishing isn't for everyone. It's cold, it's often windy, and the fish are fewer and farther between than in the warmer months. But for those who embrace it, there's something special about having the beach to yourself on a winter day, with the only sounds being the waves and the cry of the gulls.
The striped bass season is closed, but there are still some fish around for catch and release. The weather over the next few days is going to be challenging, but by Saturday afternoon and into Monday, we should have some fishable windows. And if the surf isn't cooperating, consider getting on a boat for some offshore action.
So don't pack away your surf gear just yet. Keep it ready, watch the weather and surf forecasts, and be ready to hit the beach when the conditions allow. Winter surf fishing is a different game, but it's a game worth playing for those willing to put in the effort.
Stay warm, stay safe, and tight lines from the sand!
Surf City Steve
