Surf City Steve's Complete Ocean Beach Report - October 31, 2025
What's up, beach rats! We're sitting in the middle of a proper autumn gale right now with west winds absolutely howling at 30 to 40 knots and seas building to 11 to 15 feet. The ocean is angry, the beach is getting rearranged, and if you're out there right now, you're either crazy or desperate. But here's the thing about these big blows—they reset the beach, move bait around, and when they clear out, the fishing goes absolutely nuclear. Sunday is shaping up to be one of those epic post-storm days with light northwest winds, calm seas, and striped bass that have been locked down for 48 hours ready to feed like there's no tomorrow.
This week leading up to the storm was absolutely insane. As the barometer dropped and the low-pressure system approached, the beaches exploded with fish coming in on the bars and feeding with an aggression that had guys shaking. We're talking about bass in the 32 to 42 inch range crushing sand eel imitations in the wash, bigger fish coming up on the sand bars on needlefish, and that electric feeling you get when you know you're in the middle of something special. The Fred Golofaro Memorial South Shore Classic was won with a massive 51-inch striper by George Lang, which tells you the caliber of fish that are moving through right now. These aren't schoolies—these are legitimate trophy bass.
Western Zone - Robert Moses to Gilgo Beach
Robert Moses has been fishing well all week, with the best action coming at night for those willing to grind through the dark hours. The night shift has been rewarded with fish in the 32 to 42 inch range, with sand eel-style paddletails like Joe Baggs Miracle Minnows, darters, and Swarters producing the best results. The key is fishing the sand bars during the moving tides when the bass are positioned in the wash feeding on bait being swept along by the current. Some fish are coming up on the bars on needlefish, which tells you they're feeding actively in the suds.
The daytime bite has been more consistent in terms of numbers, with schoolies to slot-size fish being the norm and the occasional keeper mixed in. Bucktails, tins, swimming plugs, and plastics are all catching fish. The key is covering water and finding where the fish are staged. They're not everywhere, but when you find them, you can usually stay on them for a while.
As the week progressed and the barometer dropped ahead of the storm, the beaches came alive. Fish came in on the bars and fed aggressively, giving anglers who braved the conditions some incredible fishing. Now we wait for the blow to pass, and when it does on Sunday, those fish are going to be hungry.
Central Zone - Jones Beach to Tobay Beach
Jones Beach and the surrounding areas have been fishing similarly to Robert Moses, with the night bite producing the better quality fish and the daytime bite providing more consistent action with numbers. The sand bars have been the key structure, and fishing them during the moving tides has been the most productive approach.
Bottle plugs and bottle darters have been absolutely crushing it, particularly the yellow needlefish patterns. There's something about that color combination that the bass can't resist right now. Work them with a slow, steady retrieve in the wash, and when you feel that thump, lean into it. Don't set the hook too early—let the fish load up the rod and then drive the hooks home.
The topwater bite during the day has been strong when you can find blitzing fish. Pencil poppers, Joe Baggs Swarters, and SP Minnows are all effective. When you see surface activity, don't overthink it. Tie on a topwater plug, make a good cast, and work it aggressively. These fish are in feeding mode.
Eastern Zone - Fire Island to Southampton
The eastern beaches have been on fire, with some of the best fishing of the fall happening this week. The quality of fish has been impressive, with multiple reports of bass in the 30 to 50 inch range being caught both day and night. The bait concentrations have been massive, with bunker, sand eels, and mackerel all present in good numbers.
The night bite has been the most consistent for trophy fish. Anglers fishing sand eel imitations, darters, and needlefish have been landing fish in the 32 to 42 inch range with regularity. The key is fishing the first two hours of the incoming tide when bait is being pushed into the wash and the bass are positioned to feed. Focus on the troughs and the sand bars, and don't be afraid to move if you're not getting bit. The fish are there, but they're not everywhere.
The daytime bite has been more about finding blitzing fish and capitalizing on the opportunities when they present themselves. The fish have been pushing bait on the surface in the mid-morning and late afternoon, and when you find them, it's game on. Tins, pencil poppers, and swimming plugs are all effective.
Montauk - The Point and Surrounding Beaches
Montauk has been fishing well, though the albie bite has dropped off significantly. The striped bass bite has more than made up for it, with fish of all sizes being caught on both fly and spin gear. There are acres of bait in Montauk right now, and water temps are still in the 60s, which means we should have a great finish to the year for bass.
The key has been working tight to shore with sinking lines for fly and soft plastics on jigheads for spin, getting under the bait and finding the fish. Where quantity has been lacking, quality has made up for it, with bass up to 30 pounds being caught. If you're looking for numbers, heading into the bays has been producing a lot of fish, albeit smaller ones.
Post-Storm Strategy - Sunday and Beyond
When this gale clears out Saturday night, Sunday morning is going to be prime time. The ocean will have settled down, the winds will be light, and the fish will be hungry. Get to the beach at first light and fish the incoming tide. Focus on the sand bars and the troughs, and don't be afraid to move if you're not getting bit in the first 30 minutes.
The full moon on November 5th is going to be the catalyst for the next big push of fish. The main biomass of migratory striped bass hasn't moved through yet, and the exaggerated tides around the full moon are going to be the trigger. The three days before and after the full moon are historically the most productive, and with the amount of bait in the system right now, it's going to be epic.
Marine Forecast
Friday (Today): Gale warning. West winds 30-40 knots, seas 11-15 feet. Stay off the beach unless you want to get sandblasted.
Saturday: Winds diminishing to 20-25 knots, seas subsiding to 5-8 feet. Fishable by late afternoon in protected areas, but I'd wait for Sunday.
Sunday: Northwest winds 10 knots, seas 2-3 feet. This is your day. Clear skies, calm seas, hungry fish. Be there.
Monday: South winds 10-15 knots increasing, chance of showers. Fish early before the weather deteriorates.
Tackle and Techniques
For the surf, you want a 10 to 11 foot rod capable of throwing 3 to 5 ounces. 30 to 50 pound braid to a 30 to 40 pound fluorocarbon leader. In your plug bag, you need variety: bottle darters, yellow needlefish, Yo-Zuri Mag Darters, bucktails, pencil poppers, Joe Baggs Swarters, SP Minnows, and an array of tins. Match your presentation to the conditions and the bait.
For night fishing, focus on sand eel imitations and darters. Work them slowly in the wash, and when you feel that thump, don't set the hook too early. Let the fish load up the rod and then drive the hooks home. For daytime fishing, focus on topwater when you see surface activity, and switch to subsurface presentations when the fish are down.
The key to success in the surf is persistence. The fish aren't everywhere, but when you find them, you can usually stay on them for a while. Don't be afraid to move, don't be afraid to change your presentation, and don't give up. The fish are there, and they're feeding.
The Bottom Line
The fishing this week was incredible, and it's about to get better. The storm is going to clear out, the fish are going to be hungry, and the full moon is going to trigger the next big push of migratory bass. Don't sit on the couch watching the weather. Get out there, put in the time, and catch some fish. This is what we live for.
Tight lines,
Surf City Steve
What's up, beach rats! We're sitting in the middle of a proper autumn gale right now with west winds absolutely howling at 30 to 40 knots and seas building to 11 to 15 feet. The ocean is angry, the beach is getting rearranged, and if you're out there right now, you're either crazy or desperate. But here's the thing about these big blows—they reset the beach, move bait around, and when they clear out, the fishing goes absolutely nuclear. Sunday is shaping up to be one of those epic post-storm days with light northwest winds, calm seas, and striped bass that have been locked down for 48 hours ready to feed like there's no tomorrow.
This week leading up to the storm was absolutely insane. As the barometer dropped and the low-pressure system approached, the beaches exploded with fish coming in on the bars and feeding with an aggression that had guys shaking. We're talking about bass in the 32 to 42 inch range crushing sand eel imitations in the wash, bigger fish coming up on the sand bars on needlefish, and that electric feeling you get when you know you're in the middle of something special. The Fred Golofaro Memorial South Shore Classic was won with a massive 51-inch striper by George Lang, which tells you the caliber of fish that are moving through right now. These aren't schoolies—these are legitimate trophy bass.
Western Zone - Robert Moses to Gilgo Beach
Robert Moses has been fishing well all week, with the best action coming at night for those willing to grind through the dark hours. The night shift has been rewarded with fish in the 32 to 42 inch range, with sand eel-style paddletails like Joe Baggs Miracle Minnows, darters, and Swarters producing the best results. The key is fishing the sand bars during the moving tides when the bass are positioned in the wash feeding on bait being swept along by the current. Some fish are coming up on the bars on needlefish, which tells you they're feeding actively in the suds.
The daytime bite has been more consistent in terms of numbers, with schoolies to slot-size fish being the norm and the occasional keeper mixed in. Bucktails, tins, swimming plugs, and plastics are all catching fish. The key is covering water and finding where the fish are staged. They're not everywhere, but when you find them, you can usually stay on them for a while.
As the week progressed and the barometer dropped ahead of the storm, the beaches came alive. Fish came in on the bars and fed aggressively, giving anglers who braved the conditions some incredible fishing. Now we wait for the blow to pass, and when it does on Sunday, those fish are going to be hungry.
Central Zone - Jones Beach to Tobay Beach
Jones Beach and the surrounding areas have been fishing similarly to Robert Moses, with the night bite producing the better quality fish and the daytime bite providing more consistent action with numbers. The sand bars have been the key structure, and fishing them during the moving tides has been the most productive approach.
Bottle plugs and bottle darters have been absolutely crushing it, particularly the yellow needlefish patterns. There's something about that color combination that the bass can't resist right now. Work them with a slow, steady retrieve in the wash, and when you feel that thump, lean into it. Don't set the hook too early—let the fish load up the rod and then drive the hooks home.
The topwater bite during the day has been strong when you can find blitzing fish. Pencil poppers, Joe Baggs Swarters, and SP Minnows are all effective. When you see surface activity, don't overthink it. Tie on a topwater plug, make a good cast, and work it aggressively. These fish are in feeding mode.
Eastern Zone - Fire Island to Southampton
The eastern beaches have been on fire, with some of the best fishing of the fall happening this week. The quality of fish has been impressive, with multiple reports of bass in the 30 to 50 inch range being caught both day and night. The bait concentrations have been massive, with bunker, sand eels, and mackerel all present in good numbers.
The night bite has been the most consistent for trophy fish. Anglers fishing sand eel imitations, darters, and needlefish have been landing fish in the 32 to 42 inch range with regularity. The key is fishing the first two hours of the incoming tide when bait is being pushed into the wash and the bass are positioned to feed. Focus on the troughs and the sand bars, and don't be afraid to move if you're not getting bit. The fish are there, but they're not everywhere.
The daytime bite has been more about finding blitzing fish and capitalizing on the opportunities when they present themselves. The fish have been pushing bait on the surface in the mid-morning and late afternoon, and when you find them, it's game on. Tins, pencil poppers, and swimming plugs are all effective.
Montauk - The Point and Surrounding Beaches
Montauk has been fishing well, though the albie bite has dropped off significantly. The striped bass bite has more than made up for it, with fish of all sizes being caught on both fly and spin gear. There are acres of bait in Montauk right now, and water temps are still in the 60s, which means we should have a great finish to the year for bass.
The key has been working tight to shore with sinking lines for fly and soft plastics on jigheads for spin, getting under the bait and finding the fish. Where quantity has been lacking, quality has made up for it, with bass up to 30 pounds being caught. If you're looking for numbers, heading into the bays has been producing a lot of fish, albeit smaller ones.
Post-Storm Strategy - Sunday and Beyond
When this gale clears out Saturday night, Sunday morning is going to be prime time. The ocean will have settled down, the winds will be light, and the fish will be hungry. Get to the beach at first light and fish the incoming tide. Focus on the sand bars and the troughs, and don't be afraid to move if you're not getting bit in the first 30 minutes.
The full moon on November 5th is going to be the catalyst for the next big push of fish. The main biomass of migratory striped bass hasn't moved through yet, and the exaggerated tides around the full moon are going to be the trigger. The three days before and after the full moon are historically the most productive, and with the amount of bait in the system right now, it's going to be epic.
Marine Forecast
Friday (Today): Gale warning. West winds 30-40 knots, seas 11-15 feet. Stay off the beach unless you want to get sandblasted.
Saturday: Winds diminishing to 20-25 knots, seas subsiding to 5-8 feet. Fishable by late afternoon in protected areas, but I'd wait for Sunday.
Sunday: Northwest winds 10 knots, seas 2-3 feet. This is your day. Clear skies, calm seas, hungry fish. Be there.
Monday: South winds 10-15 knots increasing, chance of showers. Fish early before the weather deteriorates.
Tackle and Techniques
For the surf, you want a 10 to 11 foot rod capable of throwing 3 to 5 ounces. 30 to 50 pound braid to a 30 to 40 pound fluorocarbon leader. In your plug bag, you need variety: bottle darters, yellow needlefish, Yo-Zuri Mag Darters, bucktails, pencil poppers, Joe Baggs Swarters, SP Minnows, and an array of tins. Match your presentation to the conditions and the bait.
For night fishing, focus on sand eel imitations and darters. Work them slowly in the wash, and when you feel that thump, don't set the hook too early. Let the fish load up the rod and then drive the hooks home. For daytime fishing, focus on topwater when you see surface activity, and switch to subsurface presentations when the fish are down.
The key to success in the surf is persistence. The fish aren't everywhere, but when you find them, you can usually stay on them for a while. Don't be afraid to move, don't be afraid to change your presentation, and don't give up. The fish are there, and they're feeding.
The Bottom Line
The fishing this week was incredible, and it's about to get better. The storm is going to clear out, the fish are going to be hungry, and the full moon is going to trigger the next big push of migratory bass. Don't sit on the couch watching the weather. Get out there, put in the time, and catch some fish. This is what we live for.
Tight lines,
Surf City Steve
