Surf City Steve's Ocean Beach Report - October 21, 2025
What's up, beach crew! The fall run is officially underway, and the ocean beaches from Robert Moses to Southampton are fishing better than they have all season. We just weathered a solid nor'easter, and while it shook things up, it also brought in the first major wave of big bass. If you've been waiting for the fall magic, it's here.
The Nor'easter Effect - White Water Bass
That storm that rolled through mid-October was a game-changer. The building surf and white water brought in bass - real bass, not the schoolies we've been messing with. We're talking 40 to 45-inch fish that will test your drag and your skills.
Guys who were brave enough to fish during the blow were absolutely rewarded. Bottle plugs and darters were the top producers, with some anglers throwing needles into the chaos and getting crushed. One angler I know landed a 45-inch personal best on an A27 diamond jig in green tube just before the storm peaked. He said the fight was unlike anything he'd experienced - powerful, relentless, and absolutely epic.
The key during the storm was fishing the white water. The bass were tight to the beach, feeding in the wash and using the turbulent water to ambush bait. Big profiles worked well - bottles, darters, and needles all produced.
Post-Storm Patterns - The Grind
The post-storm surf has been slower, and that's totally normal. The water needs to clear, the bait needs to regroup, and the fish need to settle into patterns. But make no mistake - the migration is on, and more fish are coming.
Right now, it's about putting in the time and fishing smart. The fish are moving through in waves, not in one massive push. You need to be on the beach at the right time, in the right spot, with the right presentation.
Timing is critical. First light and last light remain the prime windows, but don't sleep on the middle of the day if conditions look right. I've seen days where the midday bite outfished the dawn patrol because the tide and wind lined up perfectly.
Location matters too. You need to read the beach. Look for cuts, troughs, and structure. The fish are using these features to ambush bait, and if you can position yourself correctly, you'll get bit. Don't just park yourself in one spot and hope - move around, cover water, and find the fish.
Lure Selection - What's Working
Lure selection has been critical this fall. The 7-inch olive Swarter has been a standout for me - it's got the right profile and action for the conditions we've been seeing. Diamond jigs like the A27 in green tube have also been producing, especially when there are sand eels or small bait around.
Bucktails worked through the wash are always a solid option. I like white or chartreuse in the early morning, and darker colors as the sun gets higher. Vary your retrieve - sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works, other times you need to hop it aggressively.
Bottle plugs and darters are essential for fishing the rough water and low-light periods. These are confidence baits that have been producing fall bass for decades. If you don't have a few in your bag, you're not prepared.
Bait Situation - Peanuts and Bunker
The bait situation is excellent. Peanut bunker are absolutely everywhere - the bays are loaded with them, and they're starting to flush out onto the ocean beaches. When that happens in a big way, the surf is going to explode.
Adult bunker are also around, tight to the beach in many areas. That's a great sign for big bass. Sand eels and mackerel are in the mix too, especially out east toward Montauk.
If you're fishing bait, fresh bunker chunks or live eels are your best bet for trophy fish. Clams will also produce, especially for the blackfish that are now in season.
Blackfish in the Surf
The NY Bight blackfish season opened October 15th, and the surf tog bite has been solid. If you've got access to jetties, groins, or rocky structure from the beach, you can catch keeper blackfish right now.
Fresh green crabs are the go-to bait. Use a simple high-low rig or a fish-finder rig, just enough weight to hold bottom, and fish tight to the structure. The bites can be subtle, so stay focused and set the hook at the first sign of weight.
Cocktail Blues - Bonus Action
Cocktail bluefish have been dominating the surf in many areas. These aren't the big choppers, but they're fun on light tackle and they'll absolutely destroy your lures if you're not careful.
They're aggressive, they're everywhere, and they're a great backup plan if the bass aren't cooperating. Just make sure you're using wire leaders or heavy fluoro if you're targeting them - they'll bite through mono in a heartbeat.
Beach-by-Beach Breakdown
Robert Moses to Gilgo: Good action on schoolies with some slot fish mixed in. The jetties and groins are holding blackfish. First light has been the best window.
Jones Beach to Tobay: The nor'easter brought in some big bass, and the post-storm bite has been a grind. Focus on structure and cuts. Peanut bunker are thick in the back bays.
Fire Island Beaches: The inlet has been hot for boat anglers, and the ocean beaches have seen waves of big bass. The migration is active here.
Moriches to Shinnecock: Excellent fishing, especially around the inlets. Bunker pods are tight to the beach, and the bass are feeding. This has been one of the most consistent stretches.
Southampton Beaches: Good action on bass and blues. The eastern beaches are seeing albies mixed in with the stripers. It's a diverse bite right now.
Weather and Water Outlook
Water temps are in the low 60s and dropping. That's perfect for fall fishing - cool enough to trigger the migration, but warm enough that the fish are still feeding aggressively.
The weather for the next 72 hours looks excellent. Light winds, calming seas, and stable conditions. This is the window we've been waiting for. Get out there early, stay late, and put in the time.
The Bottom Line
The fall run is here. The big bass have arrived, the bait is thick, and the conditions are lining up. This is what we wait for all year - the chance to hook into a trophy striper from the beach.
It's not always easy. You'll have slow nights, you'll get skunked, and you'll question why you're standing in the surf at 4 AM. But when it all comes together - when you hook into a 40-inch bass in the wash and feel that power - you'll remember why you do this.
Get out there, grind it out, and make it happen. The fish are here, and the best fishing is still ahead of us.
Tight lines and good vibes,
Surf City Steve
What's up, beach crew! The fall run is officially underway, and the ocean beaches from Robert Moses to Southampton are fishing better than they have all season. We just weathered a solid nor'easter, and while it shook things up, it also brought in the first major wave of big bass. If you've been waiting for the fall magic, it's here.
The Nor'easter Effect - White Water Bass
That storm that rolled through mid-October was a game-changer. The building surf and white water brought in bass - real bass, not the schoolies we've been messing with. We're talking 40 to 45-inch fish that will test your drag and your skills.
Guys who were brave enough to fish during the blow were absolutely rewarded. Bottle plugs and darters were the top producers, with some anglers throwing needles into the chaos and getting crushed. One angler I know landed a 45-inch personal best on an A27 diamond jig in green tube just before the storm peaked. He said the fight was unlike anything he'd experienced - powerful, relentless, and absolutely epic.
The key during the storm was fishing the white water. The bass were tight to the beach, feeding in the wash and using the turbulent water to ambush bait. Big profiles worked well - bottles, darters, and needles all produced.
Post-Storm Patterns - The Grind
The post-storm surf has been slower, and that's totally normal. The water needs to clear, the bait needs to regroup, and the fish need to settle into patterns. But make no mistake - the migration is on, and more fish are coming.
Right now, it's about putting in the time and fishing smart. The fish are moving through in waves, not in one massive push. You need to be on the beach at the right time, in the right spot, with the right presentation.
Timing is critical. First light and last light remain the prime windows, but don't sleep on the middle of the day if conditions look right. I've seen days where the midday bite outfished the dawn patrol because the tide and wind lined up perfectly.
Location matters too. You need to read the beach. Look for cuts, troughs, and structure. The fish are using these features to ambush bait, and if you can position yourself correctly, you'll get bit. Don't just park yourself in one spot and hope - move around, cover water, and find the fish.
Lure Selection - What's Working
Lure selection has been critical this fall. The 7-inch olive Swarter has been a standout for me - it's got the right profile and action for the conditions we've been seeing. Diamond jigs like the A27 in green tube have also been producing, especially when there are sand eels or small bait around.
Bucktails worked through the wash are always a solid option. I like white or chartreuse in the early morning, and darker colors as the sun gets higher. Vary your retrieve - sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works, other times you need to hop it aggressively.
Bottle plugs and darters are essential for fishing the rough water and low-light periods. These are confidence baits that have been producing fall bass for decades. If you don't have a few in your bag, you're not prepared.
Bait Situation - Peanuts and Bunker
The bait situation is excellent. Peanut bunker are absolutely everywhere - the bays are loaded with them, and they're starting to flush out onto the ocean beaches. When that happens in a big way, the surf is going to explode.
Adult bunker are also around, tight to the beach in many areas. That's a great sign for big bass. Sand eels and mackerel are in the mix too, especially out east toward Montauk.
If you're fishing bait, fresh bunker chunks or live eels are your best bet for trophy fish. Clams will also produce, especially for the blackfish that are now in season.
Blackfish in the Surf
The NY Bight blackfish season opened October 15th, and the surf tog bite has been solid. If you've got access to jetties, groins, or rocky structure from the beach, you can catch keeper blackfish right now.
Fresh green crabs are the go-to bait. Use a simple high-low rig or a fish-finder rig, just enough weight to hold bottom, and fish tight to the structure. The bites can be subtle, so stay focused and set the hook at the first sign of weight.
Cocktail Blues - Bonus Action
Cocktail bluefish have been dominating the surf in many areas. These aren't the big choppers, but they're fun on light tackle and they'll absolutely destroy your lures if you're not careful.
They're aggressive, they're everywhere, and they're a great backup plan if the bass aren't cooperating. Just make sure you're using wire leaders or heavy fluoro if you're targeting them - they'll bite through mono in a heartbeat.
Beach-by-Beach Breakdown
Robert Moses to Gilgo: Good action on schoolies with some slot fish mixed in. The jetties and groins are holding blackfish. First light has been the best window.
Jones Beach to Tobay: The nor'easter brought in some big bass, and the post-storm bite has been a grind. Focus on structure and cuts. Peanut bunker are thick in the back bays.
Fire Island Beaches: The inlet has been hot for boat anglers, and the ocean beaches have seen waves of big bass. The migration is active here.
Moriches to Shinnecock: Excellent fishing, especially around the inlets. Bunker pods are tight to the beach, and the bass are feeding. This has been one of the most consistent stretches.
Southampton Beaches: Good action on bass and blues. The eastern beaches are seeing albies mixed in with the stripers. It's a diverse bite right now.
Weather and Water Outlook
Water temps are in the low 60s and dropping. That's perfect for fall fishing - cool enough to trigger the migration, but warm enough that the fish are still feeding aggressively.
The weather for the next 72 hours looks excellent. Light winds, calming seas, and stable conditions. This is the window we've been waiting for. Get out there early, stay late, and put in the time.
The Bottom Line
The fall run is here. The big bass have arrived, the bait is thick, and the conditions are lining up. This is what we wait for all year - the chance to hook into a trophy striper from the beach.
It's not always easy. You'll have slow nights, you'll get skunked, and you'll question why you're standing in the surf at 4 AM. But when it all comes together - when you hook into a 40-inch bass in the wash and feel that power - you'll remember why you do this.
Get out there, grind it out, and make it happen. The fish are here, and the best fishing is still ahead of us.
Tight lines and good vibes,
Surf City Steve
