Fall striper run delivers on Long Island as tog season opens
The fall run is delivering across Long Island, led by striped bass. Per The Fisherman — Long Island East End, White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays reports excellent numbers of bass inside Shinnecock Inlet on live baits, with moving water concentrating the bait. The Fisherman — Long Island Surf adds that surfcasters are finding fish up to 40 pounds along the beachfront, with the best action after dark on jigs and swimming plugs. On the west end, Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reports shore-caught bass to 45 pounds on plugs, per The Fisherman — Long Island West End. Montauk is the exception. Tight Lines Tackle says the striper bite there has been slow and inconsistent, though False Albacore remain available. Trophy Hunter Montauk Charters notes the albies returned after the nor'easter. NOAA CO-OPS station 8510560 reads 64°F this morning, and the other two nearby stations read 64 to 65°F.
New to these readings? What water temp, tide, and moon phase mean for fishing →
What's biting
What's next
Tides matter this week. Station 8510560 shows a high tide around 11:15 a.m. local and a low near 6:10 p.m., so the evening drop should put current through the inlets right into dusk. Per White Water Outfitters, that moving water is what stacks bait and feeds bass. Plan on dawn, sunset and after-dark sessions for the larger fish, as River Bay Outfitters also recommends in The Fisherman — Long Island West End.
Bottom fishing is turning the corner. Bob's Bait and Tackle in Amity Harbor reports the fluke season closes Thursday, with a late doormat still possible in Fire Island Inlet and the State Channel. Check current state regulations before keeping any fish. Tautog is the next story. Tyalure Professional Tackle & Gear reports lots of limits on opening day for Connecticut residents, and Bay Park Fishing Station is stocked for the South Shore opener. Saltwater Edge expects the water to keep clearing after the weekend nor'easter, with chilly, sunny October weather to follow, which usually helps both the tog and the surf bite.
Expect the Sound side to stay steady too. Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle reports good numbers of schoolie bass in the harbor and along the Sound beaches, a reliable light-tackle option when the ocean side is rough.
Context
This is right on schedule for mid-October on Long Island. The fall migration pulls bass along the beaches and through the inlets, and the first cool nights tend to bring the bite on. Water in the mid-60s is typical for this point in the month. It is warm enough to hold False Albacore and bluefish near the ocean side, yet cool enough that tautog begin to move onto structure. The late-season weakfish and black sea bass reported by North Shore party boats also fit the usual overlap of summer and fall species. Fluke wind down just as tog ramp up, so bottom anglers shift gear and bait about now. A storm followed by clearing water often scatters fish briefly and then concentrates them, which matches what shops describe this week.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
EVERY SATURDAY MORNING
Weekly fishing intelligence
Nationwide conditions, what's biting, and honest gear deals. One email, no noise.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.