False albacore push into Long Island Sound as fall run builds
Water temps across the three NY CO-OPS stations we track are sitting in the low-to-mid 70s (73 to 74.8 degrees) as the fall run takes hold on Long Island. On The Water's September 17 Long Island and NYC report has false albacore pushing west into Long Island Sound, with big fluke on their way out of the South Shore inlets as they finish their seasonal exit, building on their September 10 report, which already had albies filling in off Montauk and fluke chewing from the Western Sound to the South Shore. Further up the coast, Saltwater Edge in Rhode Island says the fall run has "kicked off in a big way" over the past couple weeks, with albies and bonito taking over the oceanfront, an early read on the same push now reaching Long Island waters. NY DEC's Saltwater Fishing and Boating newsletter has also been running its striped bass-focused "Fish Smart" guidance as the state leans into conservation messaging heading into the fall migration.
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The First Quarter moon keeps tidal swings moderate rather than extreme this week, which should make bite windows around the standard high and low turns in the Sound and along the South Shore inlets fairly predictable. If the pattern On The Water has logged across its last two reports holds, expect false albacore to keep building through Long Island Sound and around Montauk into the weekend, while fluke continue thinning out of the inlets as they wrap up their seasonal exit.
Saltwater Edge's note from Rhode Island, that striped bass have been lackluster there but should improve with the first chilly nights and northerly winds, points to a trend working its way down the coast. If it follows the usual path, look for striper activity to firm up on Long Island within the next week or two as water temps ease back from their current mid-70s readings. The DEC's seasonal striped bass guidance is worth a read before heading out as that migration ramps up.
Context
Mid-to-upper 70s water temperatures in mid-September are right on schedule for Long Island and Montauk, sitting at the tail end of summer warmth just as the fall bait exodus and predator run typically get underway. This is the seasonal hinge point: fast-moving fall migrants like false albacore arrive first while summer holdovers such as fluke wind down and clear out of the back bays and inlets ahead of colder water. Striped bass activity in this region often trails a step behind waters to the north and east, picking up in earnest once nighttime temperatures drop and push water temps down through the 60s. Long Island currently sits early-to-mid in that transition.
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.
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