Striped bass push into the surf as fluke season nears its close

What's biting

What's next

Expect the surf bite to hold as the fall run builds. Tight Lines and White Water both describe bigger fish showing consistently, and Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside says the big stripers arrived with the storm. Soft plastics, diamond jigs and poppers are the producers they name. Montauk tides run low at 12:31 PM and high at 6:28 PM EDT, so the flood from the low to the high is the window to plan the surf around.

Bluefish are the secondary target. Tyalure Professional Tackle in Rye reports bluefishing improving this week, and Captain Dave Paris of the Captain Dave III fishes bluefish Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. until November.

Fluke are the time-sensitive target. Double D Charters in Montauk says fluking has slowed considerably, while Jib VI reports larger fluke to 6 pounds, so the fish are there but the window is short. Captain Gillen switches to striped bass after October 15. Shinnecock Star schedules trips around the best tide each day, with reservations required.

Black sea bass are the steadiest option. Double D calls the bite strong, Shamrock Charterboat in New Rochelle reports excellent-size black sea bass, and Bob's Bait and Tackle says sea bass are on all the ocean wrecks.

Context

Early October sits at the start of the fall transition on Long Island. The striped bass run typically builds through October as the water cools and bait moves, which fits the bigger fish showing in the surf now. Mid-60s water is typical for this time of year, so the cooler nights that usually push the bite into its next phase are still ahead. Fluke closures around mid-October are typical, so check NY regulations before harvesting any fish.