What's up, beach warriors! Surf City Steve checking in with your Monday morning surf report. December's here, and while the bite's not as red-hot as it was a few weeks back, there's still fish to be caught if you're willing to put in the work. Let's break down what's happening from Robert Moses to Southampton.
THE BEACH OVERVIEW - ROBERT MOSES TO SOUTHAMPTON
Here's the real talk: the surf fishing has been challenging this past week. The majority of fish have been staying just out of reach from the beach, while the boat guys have been picking away at a decent wave of fish. 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 as they were a few weeks ago. The key right now is mobility and patience—you gotta be willing to move and put in the time to find the fish.
WESTERN BEACHES - ROBERT MOSES TO DEMOCRAT POINT
Strong striper action continues off Fire Island and Jones Inlet, with bass chasing scattered bunker pods. The boat anglers are having better success than the surf crowd right now, but that doesn't mean shore anglers are shut out. You just gotta work harder for your fish.
There are lots of rats around and some larger bass mixed in wherever the bait is. 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—fill up the gas tank and move. If you find the birds, you'll find the fish.
CENTRAL BEACHES - DEMOCRAT POINT TO MORICHES INLET
The central beaches have been hit or miss, with fish being caught but not in the consistent numbers we saw earlier in the fall. The few days spent in the wash this past week were a disappointment for some anglers, with the majority of fish staying out of reach. However, bass are still being taken on a variety of presentations.
Swimmers, metals, and topwater plugs are all producing fish. The key is covering water and finding where the fish are feeding. Some days they're close, some days they're not—that's surf fishing in December.
EASTERN BEACHES - MORICHES INLET TO SOUTHAMPTON
Scattered fish on the East End beaches continue to provide opportunities. The fall run is still in full effect for those who can find the fish. If you find the birds, you'll find the fish—all over the column. Poppers, Docs, and fat shads are all producing fish.
For the fly guys, a big hollow fleye on intermediate line or a Clouser on sink tip line will hammer fish. One angler was able to put 8 fish on the deck on the fly recently, showing that the fly fishing game is still productive for those who know how to work it.
TACTICAL BREAKDOWN - WHAT'S WORKING
Lures and Presentations:
- Poppers for topwater action when fish are up
- Docs (Danny-style plugs) for working the wash
- Fat shads (4-6 inch soft plastics) for all conditions
- Swimmers for covering water and finding fish
- Metals for reaching fish that are out of range
- Large topwater plugs for bigger fish
Fly Fishing:
- Big hollow fleyes on intermediate line
- Clousers on sink tip line
- Focus on areas with bait concentrations
- Be ready for fast action when you find fish
Strategy:
- Mobility is key—don't sit in one spot
- Find the birds to find the fish
- Focus on areas with bait close to shore
- Be ready for sporadic blitzes
- Fish tide swings for best action
- Early morning and late evening are prime times
BAIT MOVEMENT & FISH BEHAVIOR
The bunker migration west is in full swing, and following this bait movement is critical for success. Bunker of all sizes are moving, and the bass are following. The mild weather has kept this migration slower than usual, which is extending our season.
Fish are feeding opportunistically right now. They're not in the aggressive feeding mode we saw in October and November, but they're still eating. You gotta put your lure in front of them and make it look natural. Work the wash, cover water, and be patient.
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. However, as temperatures continue to drop, expect fish to become more selective and harder to reach from shore.
The boat guys are having better success because they can reach fish that are staging just beyond surf casting range. If you've got access to a boat or kayak, that's a significant advantage right now.
STEVE'S TACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
For maximum success:
1. Be mobile—cover as much beach as possible
2. Focus on areas with visible bait
3. Watch for bird activity
4. Fish tide swings, especially incoming
5. Be ready for brief blitzes—they happen fast
6. Use a variety of lures to figure out what they want
7. Don't be afraid to go big—20-pound fish are out there
8. Early morning and late evening are prime times
9. Calm mornings can produce topwater feeds
10. If the surf's dead, try the inlets and jetties
THE WEEK AHEAD
The mild weather pattern may extend our season longer than usual, but we're definitely in the late stages of the fall run. Expect fish to become less consistent as we push deeper into December. However, sporadic blitzes are still possible, particularly on the western beaches.
The key is staying adaptable and being willing to put in the time. The fish are still here, but they're not going to make it easy. That's what makes December fishing special—you gotta earn every fish.
STEVE'S FINAL WORD
Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it—the surf fishing has been challenging this past week. The fish are there, but they're not always in reach from the beach. The boat guys are having better success, and that's just the reality right now.
But here's the thing: I've seen too many late-season miracles to give up on December. We could get another push of fish, another blitz, another magic morning where everything comes together. You just gotta be out there when it happens.
So grab your gear, hit the beach, and put in the work. Cover water, find the bait, watch for birds, and be ready when opportunity knocks. The fall run is winding down, but it's not over yet.
The beach is calling, warriors. Answer the call.
Surf's up and lines tight,
Surf City Steve
THE BEACH OVERVIEW - ROBERT MOSES TO SOUTHAMPTON
Here's the real talk: the surf fishing has been challenging this past week. The majority of fish have been staying just out of reach from the beach, while the boat guys have been picking away at a decent wave of fish. 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 as they were a few weeks ago. The key right now is mobility and patience—you gotta be willing to move and put in the time to find the fish.
WESTERN BEACHES - ROBERT MOSES TO DEMOCRAT POINT
Strong striper action continues off Fire Island and Jones Inlet, with bass chasing scattered bunker pods. The boat anglers are having better success than the surf crowd right now, but that doesn't mean shore anglers are shut out. You just gotta work harder for your fish.
There are lots of rats around and some larger bass mixed in wherever the bait is. 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—fill up the gas tank and move. If you find the birds, you'll find the fish.
CENTRAL BEACHES - DEMOCRAT POINT TO MORICHES INLET
The central beaches have been hit or miss, with fish being caught but not in the consistent numbers we saw earlier in the fall. The few days spent in the wash this past week were a disappointment for some anglers, with the majority of fish staying out of reach. However, bass are still being taken on a variety of presentations.
Swimmers, metals, and topwater plugs are all producing fish. The key is covering water and finding where the fish are feeding. Some days they're close, some days they're not—that's surf fishing in December.
EASTERN BEACHES - MORICHES INLET TO SOUTHAMPTON
Scattered fish on the East End beaches continue to provide opportunities. The fall run is still in full effect for those who can find the fish. If you find the birds, you'll find the fish—all over the column. Poppers, Docs, and fat shads are all producing fish.
For the fly guys, a big hollow fleye on intermediate line or a Clouser on sink tip line will hammer fish. One angler was able to put 8 fish on the deck on the fly recently, showing that the fly fishing game is still productive for those who know how to work it.
TACTICAL BREAKDOWN - WHAT'S WORKING
Lures and Presentations:
- Poppers for topwater action when fish are up
- Docs (Danny-style plugs) for working the wash
- Fat shads (4-6 inch soft plastics) for all conditions
- Swimmers for covering water and finding fish
- Metals for reaching fish that are out of range
- Large topwater plugs for bigger fish
Fly Fishing:
- Big hollow fleyes on intermediate line
- Clousers on sink tip line
- Focus on areas with bait concentrations
- Be ready for fast action when you find fish
Strategy:
- Mobility is key—don't sit in one spot
- Find the birds to find the fish
- Focus on areas with bait close to shore
- Be ready for sporadic blitzes
- Fish tide swings for best action
- Early morning and late evening are prime times
BAIT MOVEMENT & FISH BEHAVIOR
The bunker migration west is in full swing, and following this bait movement is critical for success. Bunker of all sizes are moving, and the bass are following. The mild weather has kept this migration slower than usual, which is extending our season.
Fish are feeding opportunistically right now. They're not in the aggressive feeding mode we saw in October and November, but they're still eating. You gotta put your lure in front of them and make it look natural. Work the wash, cover water, and be patient.
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. However, as temperatures continue to drop, expect fish to become more selective and harder to reach from shore.
The boat guys are having better success because they can reach fish that are staging just beyond surf casting range. If you've got access to a boat or kayak, that's a significant advantage right now.
STEVE'S TACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
For maximum success:
1. Be mobile—cover as much beach as possible
2. Focus on areas with visible bait
3. Watch for bird activity
4. Fish tide swings, especially incoming
5. Be ready for brief blitzes—they happen fast
6. Use a variety of lures to figure out what they want
7. Don't be afraid to go big—20-pound fish are out there
8. Early morning and late evening are prime times
9. Calm mornings can produce topwater feeds
10. If the surf's dead, try the inlets and jetties
THE WEEK AHEAD
The mild weather pattern may extend our season longer than usual, but we're definitely in the late stages of the fall run. Expect fish to become less consistent as we push deeper into December. However, sporadic blitzes are still possible, particularly on the western beaches.
The key is staying adaptable and being willing to put in the time. The fish are still here, but they're not going to make it easy. That's what makes December fishing special—you gotta earn every fish.
STEVE'S FINAL WORD
Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it—the surf fishing has been challenging this past week. The fish are there, but they're not always in reach from the beach. The boat guys are having better success, and that's just the reality right now.
But here's the thing: I've seen too many late-season miracles to give up on December. We could get another push of fish, another blitz, another magic morning where everything comes together. You just gotta be out there when it happens.
So grab your gear, hit the beach, and put in the work. Cover water, find the bait, watch for birds, and be ready when opportunity knocks. The fall run is winding down, but it's not over yet.
The beach is calling, warriors. Answer the call.
Surf's up and lines tight,
Surf City Steve
