It's Snapper Time!! • Offshore Wrecks Are Hot • Freshwater Lakes Listed • Shark Hearing Update • Inshore Update

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The Local Docks are seeing plenty of snappers, that are big enough to catch. Small pieces of spearing and tiny tins casted and retrieved are the things being used to catch them: remember that the limit this year on bluefish and snappers is only 3 per person.   

Snappers are in and can be found all over the docks in our area including mascot, bluepoint and sayville. Fishermen have also reported snappers at the pine neck dock in patchouge and beaver dam dock in bell port .Snappers can be caught using bait and lures such as snapper poppers and spinners. The best way to fish both of these lures would be to simply cast them out and retrieve at the steady pace, when using a snapper popper it’s best to jig the rod in order to create disturbance on the surface of the water. Small shiners (snapper bait) and squid are great bait for these baby blues. All you need to fish these baits is a small long shank hook and either a small bobber or a sinker depending on if you would like to fish the top or bottom of the water.

Crabs down at the dock are getting bigger by the day. They are about legal sized now and should be quite large in another two weeks or so. The shop has all the essentials needed for crabbing.

Crabs can be found all over our local docks at almost all times of the day. Docks like mascot, Corey Beach, sayville, Pine Neck Dock and Beaverdam Creek are all holding plenty of keeper sized blue claws. The most efficient way to get crabs is using a trap with bunker as bait. If you are looking for a more fun and active way to get crabs using a flash light and a net at night is great way to get crabs because the crabs are attracted to light and will swim right to the surface making them easy picking.

Summer fun continues, try clamming in the local bays and waterways: clams can be found all across the bays in flat sandy areas on the low tide. The most effective way to dig clams up would be the use of a clam rake and simply just rake the bottom. Clams are a very good source of food and come in variety of species and sizes. Be aware when clamming be sure to check your local regulations because they vary across the different townships and counties on the island.

With the striped bass moving to colder waters to the north, anglers turn to the Local docks for some light tackle fun. the docks here in Patchogue are seeing good size kingfish along with basketball size blowfish. people everyday are coming into the shop asking the crew how to catch these fish. They are very easy to catch, all you would need is a simple small hook, Tackle tip: Chesterton hook, size 9 or 10 (flounder hook) on a top and bottom rig, or pick up a porgy rig, then add a small sinker to the bottom and bait the hooks with clam belly and you are all set to catch the small game fish. these fish also are good for eating. 

Patchogue Locals have reported that they did quite well with blowfish at Blue Point dock/Corey Beach too. They used a combination of clams and squid to catch them.

Blowfish and kingfish have flooded our local docks including mascot, bluepoint and sayville. Both of these fish are generally caught on the bottom so a small rig with long shank hooks and a 1 oz sinker will work well. The best bait for these fish would be clam or squid which favorites of both. These fish can also be caught off a boat by using clam chum. To use clam chum all you need is a small chum pot and a log of clam chum and once you toss it out simply sit and wait. The chum bag will seep in to the water and the fish will come right in.

Blues have been plenty full in the south shore inlets. Mainly cocktails this time of year. Fire island • Moriches • Smith Point County Park and Shinecock Inlet  have been the "go to" spots to get into the action.

Large bluefish are still around our island with fishermen just yesterday reporting a great bite in the moriches inlet on both bait and lures like diamond jigs. Like the striped bass most bluefish are either in the inlets or ocean but right around the corner the fall run will be here and it will bring in tons of gator sized blues that will be all over our bays and inlets.

Yesterday shop member Fredo reported a 17lb bluefish while trolling with live bait in montauk where other fishermen have reported plenty of gator sized blues.

Bass can still be found around the island but this time of years with the warmer water temps most fish are either in the inlets or ocean. Montauk fishermen have reported a good bite of bass near block island on the incoming tide.Most of these fish have been caught while trolling of using live bait like bunker or porgy. In our inlets like moriches and Shinecock most fish have been on top water plugs and darters, with tins and diamond jigs working well. While the bass bit may be slow now but the fall is right around the corner and our waters will be flooded with thousands of trophy sized fish.

The local wrecks have been the places to fish during the summer months. Sea bass, Ling and Cod have all been reported. Squid or clam should do the trick. 1/0 or 2/0 hook with a 4-5oz sinker is the tackle of choice. Don't be surprise if a Fluke hits that bait too. 

Sea bass are all over our local Artificial Reefs and wrecks this time of year and can be found on both the north and south shore.  On the south shore the wrecks out side of the moriches, fire island and Shinecock inlets have all been holding plenty of keeper size fish . On the north shore the reefs and rock piles in the middle grounds have had plenty of good sized fish.At these locations most fishermen have reported getting fish on bait like gulp, clam and squid.  When using bait rigs for sea bass adding squid skirts and beads are a great way to give your rig a better presentation by adding some color and action as well.

Offshore:" Tons"  of Mahi mahi  about 20 miles out on any floating debris. Mahi can be caught using light spinning gear with top water plugs or small soft plastics Yellowfin has also been plentiful around the 30 mile range following the schools of dolphins. When tuna are found on dolphins top water tuna poppers are a fun and effective way to catch them. Tuna are feeding on sand eels, so jigs are working very well. NOTE: Plenty of mackerel have been caught just off Montauk. Many offshore fishermen have been keeping them for bait.

Fish Facts

Cobia:
Minimum Size Limits:   37"
Possession Limits:  2 per day, per person
Seasons:  All year

Over the past several years, Cobia have become more abundant in our local waters.  Predominately caught off the south shore inlets.  Techniques for targeting these prizes fish are  sight-fishing, chumming, and trolling. Lures for these fish include poppers, darters and diamond jigs.  Bait like bunker or mackerel will also work.

Cobia are a summer visitor in our waters and are typically found along our beaches mixed in with the bunker schools. Cobia are a great fighting fish and can weigh over 50 pounds. Cobia are also a delicious eating fish and can be cooked in a variety of ways. The best way to catch Cobia would be bait like bunker or mackerel. 

The North Shore has seen good porgy action, with a lot of sea bass mixed it. if you are fishing from the boat, head out to a sandy bottom or one of the many sandbars in the sound with a Spro bucktail tipped with squid and or spearing and you have the best set-up for fluke. 

Porgies on the south shore: This time of year the south shore provides a great porgy bait at places such as the Shinecock inlet and the Shinnecock Canal. These fish will move in to these locations during the summer because of the increase in water temperature. When fishing at the canal the best time of day to go is when the locks are closed. If you are unsure when the locks close you can call this number (631) 852-8299  and a canal operator will be gladly to let you know the schedule. At the inlet most fish are generally caught on a slack tide because it’s easier for the fish to swim in and out. At both of these places the best way to catch the porgy’s would be a simple hi-lo rig with clam, sand worm or squid.

Down at Shinecock Inlet  and Moriches inlets triggerfish have been cooperating with anglers fishing for them off the rocks. The use of a hi low rig baited with either clam or squid is perfect to use. Remember to use a rod and reel combo with some power. When hooked these fish will dart into the rocks instantly. You have to beat them before they beat you.

Fluke fishing has stayed fair in the bays. Plenty of short action with some keepers in the mix. Patchogue Locals, reported plenty of shorts in Moriches with 3 keepers. A lot of sea robins mixed in too. The bait of choice was spearing with squid strips. Shinnecock has been offering some good fluke fishing too in the ocean, about a mile off. A better short to keeper ratio as well. Try large sized smelts or spearing for a good shot at a bigger fish.

Fluke fishing is still hot around the south shore with plenty of keepers being caught in both moriches and Shinnecock bays and inlets.

Shop member Fredo reported great fluke fishing in Montauk Monday at the cartwright grounds with over 30 fish caught and plenty of keepers in the mix. Joe also went out on Wednesday and reported even better fishing with 15 keeper fluke with the biggest being 9.5 lbs . All of these fish were caught on  hi-lo fluke rigs with squid skirts and gulp as the bait. moriches bay has been great in recent days with a patchogue local reporting 3 keeper fish today using a buck tail and gulp. Pink shine and nuclear chicken are the most popular colors with most fishermen using them in both the swimming mullet and grub variety’s.

Summer Weakfish continue as the season progress, plenty of fish from 2lb-4lb. Surfcasters and boat fishermen doing equal well, Many of these fish have been taken on small swim shads, tins, as well as bucktails tipped with gulp baits. For bait fisherman clam, squid or sandworms have been the ticket

WATCH OUT FOR THE SHARKS if using bait! be sure to bring extra gear just incase.
 

Shark hearing update: In a recent shark hearing, fisherman united in an attempt to prevent the state from implementing new shark regulations that many rejected because it is seen as a direct infringement of our right as long islanders and responsible anglers to fish our shores for sharks as a summer time  activity

Many who spoke brought up excellent points such as a 12in leader can cause more harm to sharks because it will lead to longer fight times and break offs. Anglers also opposed the required hook size maximum, indicating that the J hook and Circle hook mandates will cause more harm to these critters than using a larger size hook. Many fishermen also supported education programs to teach new shark fishermen the right way to catch and release sharks in order to prevent mortality for protected fish.

This was a hearing that brought out avid anglers, supporting this sport and rejecting the clouded points of view, from recreational organizations that claim to represent large number of anglers.  “Because you have 5K likes on a facebook page does not mean you represent 5K anglers”

The local lakes are a little choked with weed but if you can get down past them with a weedless rig or topwater frog you can expect some bass. Try early mornings and late evenings for best results. The fish become more active at these times.

The lake of the week is cannan lake. Cannan lake is located in north patchouge and provides some great fishing for multiple species including bass, pickerel, trout , crappie and perch. Cannan lake was recently refilled after being dredged and has since been stocked with largemouth bass ,brown and rainbow trout. The lake has multiple access points including a county park where kayaks can be launched. Lures and bait both work great at this lake including live shiners that will catch the bass, pickerel and will even give you a shot at the large trout. Lures like senko worms and rapala jigs are great for this lake and will catch plenty of bass and pickerel.

 Try something new: Here is a listing (and links) of some of Long Islands 500 lakes and ponds to try.  Enjoy!

• West Lake  •  Swan Lake Info • Carmans River  • Bubble Falls  • Caleb Smith State Park  • Argyle lake  • Southards Pond  • Belmont Lake  • Upper lake Yaphank  • Southaven Park  • Connetquot River State Park   • Lake Ronkonkoma  • Great Patchogue Lake  • Gibbs Pond • Artist Lake • Fort Pond, Montauk

Just a reminder. All anglers 16yrs and older are required to register for saltwater fishing or purchase a license for freshwater fishing in New York State.

You need to register before saltwater fishing. It's easy and it's FREE for NYS residents and all visitors.  To fish our local lakes and ponds, a Freshwater License is required. Basically, a NYS resident, Freshwater License, is available to purchase for a days fishing ($5.00) a week ($12.00) or a season (one year from date of purchase for $25.00.-Senior [70 or older] $5.00. )  Additional discounts are available for active military, disabled vets and more...... Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing Licenses are also available for a fee from $10.00-$50.00. 

Stop down at  J & J Sports  and we'll issue you a licenses or marine registry. To purchase a license or register  online- click HERE.   There's nothing worse than getting a ticket just because you went fishing. Have a smart phone? Here's an idea:

It's a good idea to "snap a shot" of your license so it's always with you in case of loss or its destroyed.

Get Your Sporting Licenses or Register for Marine Fishing
Buy your sporting license online or
By Phone: 1-866-933-2257