Stripers fire on the East End as blackfish season opens
Striped bass are the story on Long Island this week. Per The Fisherman — Long Island East End, White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays reports excellent numbers inside Shinnecock Inlet on live eels and spot, with moving water concentrating bait. The Fisherman — Long Island Surf adds that surfcasters along the ocean beaches are finding fish up to 40 pounds, with nighttime jigs and eels working the inlet. On the North Shore, The Fisherman — Long Island North Shore says striper fishing has been phenomenal inside the East River on trolled spoons or live eels, with fish to 46 inches released. Montauk is the exception. Tight Lines Tackle calls the striper bite there slow and inconsistent, though false albacore remain available and Block Island's Gut has been loaded with bass. Water temperatures read 64.6°F at NOAA CO-OPS station 8510560, with 65.7°F at 8516945 and 65.5°F at 8518750, a comfortable range for the fall push.
New to these readings? What water temp, tide, and moon phase mean for fishing →
What's biting
What's next
Expect the striper bite to hold and build as the fall run continues. On The Water — New York / Long Island described the run as just getting started after a weeklong nor'easter scattered the albies, and recent reports show bunker of various sizes, including peanuts, along the South Shore beaches. Bay Park Fishing Station notes bridges producing on bunker by day and eels at night, so plan on low light and after-dark sessions for the bigger fish.
Tide timing today at Montauk (station 8510560): low around 6:39 AM and high around 12:56 PM. In western waters, station 8518750 shows low near 5:35 AM and high near 11:58 AM, while station 8516945 in the Sound shows high around 2:55 AM and low near 8:32 AM. Moving water around the turn has been the key at the inlets, so build your windows around those changes. The waxing crescent moon means dark nights early in the evening, which favors eel and swimming-plug anglers.
Blackfish are the next big draw. Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle expects shore-based tog to be a major attraction now that the season is open, and Angler Fleet in Port Washington is sailing daily for blackfish. Trophy Hunter Montauk Charters reports sea bass keepers require a longer run, and the albies returned after the storm. Fluke fishing is winding down; Fishfinder II notes several 7-pound fish this past week, and The Fisherman — Long Island South Shore reports the season closing Thursday, so check state regs before keeping one.
Context
Mid-October is peak fall transition on Long Island. Baitfish stream out of the bays and back harbors, stripers follow along the beaches and inlets, and bottom species shift to structure as the water cools. A nor'easter just ahead of this report is typical for the season and often resets the fishing, so a stronger bite on the back side fits the pattern. Water in the mid-60s is on the warm side for the date but supports lingering weakfish, porgies, bluefish and bonito mixed in with the bass. The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) describes the same story one state north, with bass blowing up and tog chewing after the storm. Expect the best striper numbers to build through late October and into November, while tog action typically improves as temperatures continue to fall.
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.