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Nice reports this week from down at Patchogue's Mascot Dock   Corey Beach ,  Pine Neck Dock and other  Brookhaven Fishing Piers.   Crabs are nice size..........

Snappers At the local docks, full size blues are still moving through but at this time it’s snappers that are beginning to move in. Right now most snappers are very small and will be at perfect eating size in a week or two. The best way to catch snapper would be lures like snapper poppers and small spinner lures.Bait for snappers include  small spearing or sandals. The local docks like mascot, West Sayville Dock and bluepoint are all great pleas for snapper.  Tackle Tip: work a small kastmaster on a light tackle setup for snappers. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The 42nd Annual Patchogue Village Snapper Derby will be held on Saturday August 23rd, from 1-2PM at Patchogue's Mascot Dock.   Bring your own fishing pole, J & J Sports- Patchogue Fishing Center will supply bait and prizes.  Ages 6 & up between 1:00- 2:00PM.

If you want to go after the kingfish try using a hi-low rig on the bottom baited with pieces of clam. This same method can land you some nice Blowfish too. Fun to catch and fine to eat!  

Fish id Chart and Regulations '2025 (PDF) Download and print 

If you have the chance to get out crabbing this week I suggest you give it a go. Crabbing can be extremely productive in July and August. the shop has all the nets and trap for crabbing in stock.  Traps and nets work well. Bunker and mackerel make a fine bait.

Report Tagged Blue Crabs

DEC’s blue crab tagging program was initiated to investigate the migration patterns, habitat preferences, and life history traits of blue crab ("blue claw crab") in New York's waters. Blue crabs are captured in various DEC field surveys and are tagged with a yellow wire carapace tag which has a specific number attributed to each crab. If you happen to catch a tagged crab, record the 5-digit tag number found on the left side of the tag, the specific location of where you captured the tagged crab, and the date of when you captured the tagged crab. Then visit DEC's website to report the tag!

For more information about crabbing in New York, visit DEC's crabbing webpage.

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Fluke fishing has stayed the same for the most part this week. The bays have been productive as far as action goes. Plenty of shorts to go around with some huge  keepers in the mix.  Bucktails and fluke rigs are the best bets. Both gulp, and spearing/squid combos are producers.

The Fluke Regulation Changed On August 2nd.  The Season started out on May 4th at 3 Fish at 19",  Now, On August 2nd The SIZE LIMIT INCREASE to 19-1/2" at 3 fish per day.  This was a compromise plan in order to extend the Fluke season until October 15th.

Big fluke have also been reported in Great South Bay in places like bouy 34 near Ocean Beach . Other locations in the Moriches Bay include Narrow Bay smiths point bridge and cranberry dock. The moriches bay has been on fire with fluke with many keeper fish being caught in shallow water on bucktails and gulp.

Fishing around the local wrecks and Artificial Reef will not only produce some fine fluke but there are many opportunities to catch a variety of other fish too.  Sea bass, ling and more can be had for taking.

Patchogue locals Headed out to Combria wreck out of Shinnecock and had Bluefin Tuna on poppers. Lots of yellowfin and life around the bracardi. Saw plenty of dolphins, whales, and sharks.

Offshore:   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.

Bluefin and Yellowfin tuna have been caught in our waters from as close  as the combria all the way to the tip of the Hudson canyon. Trolling with spreader bars,daisy chains and wide trackers have been extremely effective for tuna. Jigging with streaker or slow pitch jigs as well has top water poppers are both fun and active ways to catch these fish. The current yellow fin regulations are 3 fish a man per day at 27 inches from the lower jaw  to the fork of the tail. While off shore looking for life such as dolphins and whales has proven to be a very effective way to catch tuna, because these fish will often  be under pods of dolphins feeding on bait. Tile fish can still be caught offshore with Patchogue locals reporting some off of the  "The Hudson Canyon" up to 20lbs.

Measure curved fork length by following the curve of the fish's body from the tip of the jaw to fork of the tail.

For those offshore guys fishing for Shark and Tuna,  Don't forget a permit is required for Tuna and Shark fishing. https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/permitList

Click here for: Atlantic Bigeye, Albacore, Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna Recreational Minimum Sizes

Click here for: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Recreational Bag Limits;

IMPORTANT: Bluefin Tuna  Closed as of August 12, 2025 at 11:30pm local time

SUMMER FISHING SPECIALS

• Save 10% On Aquaskinz Surf Fishing Gear and Turtle Cove Tackle too!!!
• Save 15% On AFTCO Raingear • Bibs • Acces.
• Save 20% On The Rivers Edge-Novelty Gifts
• Save 10% Floor Mats-Gifts

Cobia:

Minimum Size Limits: 43"-Seasons: All year
Possession Limits: 1 per angler-Fishing From BOAT-Maximum of 2 per vessel
Possession Limits: 1 per angler-Fishing From SHORE 

In U.S. waters, cobia are most abundant from Virginia south through the Gulf of Mexico. Cobia migrate seasonally in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Along the Atlantic coast, they move south and offshore toward warmer waters during the late fall and winter. EXCELLENT EATING
Cobia | NOAA Fisheries

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. 

Reminder to New York Shark Anglers

On April 17, 2024, DEC implemented new regulations that apply to the recreational shark fishery. We remind all recreational marine anglers to review these regulations before going fishing.

New rules relating to the handling and release of sharks that apply to all vessel-based and shore-based anglers include:

• A shark that is not being harvested may not be removed from the water and must be released without undue harm.
• All prohibited shark species must be released immediately if captured. Examples of commonly encountered prohibited shark species found in New York State waters include Sandbar ("Brown"), Dusky, Sand Tiger, White (“Great White”), and Shortfin Mako sharks.
• Shark anglers must have wire or bolt cutters immediately available to aid in the removal of tackle and the release of sharks that are not being harvested.

To reduce the take of prohibited sharks from shore, DEC also implemented new rules which apply specifically to shore anglers:

• It is unlawful for any person to chum from shore. This restriction does not apply to the use of mollusks and crustaceans as chum (e.g., clams, mussels, squid, shrimp, crabs).
• It is unlawful for a shore angler to deploy baited hooks by any means other than casting with rod and reel.
• It is unlawful for a shore angler to use a baited hook attached to a metal fishing leader that exceeds 18 inches total length. This restriction does not apply to a metal fishing leader attached solely to an artificial lure.

For more information, visit the recreational shark fishing webpage. 

Follow the trends with:   Sea temperatures 

Porgies are all over the North Shore beaches.  Anywhere with a rocky shoreline will hold them. Both sandworms and clams make great bait. The   Shinnecock Inlet   and the south shore Artificial Reefs, porgies are also in with good numbers and plenty of fish being reported. Many other inlets, are also producing porgies and Triggerfish.  They're fun to catch and great to eat! (See more info NYSDEC Artificial Reef Guide (PDF)

Our local wrecks and reefs have been teaming with keeper sea bass and porgy. The Shinnecock Reef has had plenty of keeper sea bass as well as porgy and  triggerfish. The Shinnecock canal  has also been producing plenty of keeper porgy and triggerfish with also plenty of large blowfish in the mix. All of these fish can be caught with a simple hi-lo rig with bait such as clam or squid. Porgy can predominantly be found along the North Shore at places like Wildwood State Park, cedar beach and stony brook harbor.

Striped Bass On the north shore tons of bass have been caught at the middle grounds light house on bucktails and swim shads. Places like light houses are extremely good for bass fishing because they provide much needed structure for bass and also bait fish will use them for cover.  Most bass caught have been slot sized and over. Anglers have also done well on bait such as bunker and clam chumming.

On the south shore both Moriches and Shinecock inlets  have been holding plenty of good sized Bass. At this time of year with the warmer water temperatures . most fish leave the bays and concentrate in the oceans and inlets because of the cooler temperatures.

Large bluefish can still be found across the island ,the inlets, bays and open ocean have all shown plenty of fish. Lures like bucktails, diamond jigs, poppers and darters are all fine lures.  Bunker and mackerel are both baits to use for blues.

Weakfish can still be found in our waters.   Places like ocean beach,  kismet and throughout the Peconics have reported keeper sized fish in the recent weeks. Bait like squid and gulp is a great choice for weakfish, in particular white and pink gulp works the best.  Patchouge locals also reported keeper weakfish underneath the smiths point bridge using bucktails.

We have some scattered reports of Bonita around the south shore inlets. Opposite of Albies, They are excellent eating.  Fish for them the same way though small tins or Joe Baggs epoxy jigs and reel fast on light tackle setups. Tip: If you do stumble across them be sure to bleed and ice them right away. A popular method to cook them is a quick sear on the grill.

South shore beach and boat fishermen are continuing to catch Sharks! Check out the regulations. Some of these animals need to be released quickly and unharmed.

Surf Action was very interesting this past week. Sharks dominated a lot of the interest this week on beaches from Smith Point County Park  all the way to Fire island. Bunker on wire leadered hooks will catch these hard fighting monsters. However, Be aware of the regulations. Possession of some sharks are prohibited 

Local beaches have settled down a bit as for bass fishing but there are still plenty of bluefish and other summer species to target that will keep you busy. At the inlet the blues have been around in the early mornings and evening hitting bucktails and diamond jigs. Some bass are still around but most likely schoolies. Triggerfish have showed up, and with hit clam or squid on bottom rigs. Fluke fishing from shore isn’t a bad option either, by casting a Bucktail and teaser rig with gulp could get you a few keeper fluke to take home. 

Night time is your best bet for them when the water cools down. Also fish the incoming tides if possible. Focus attention around inlets also. Patchogue locals have reported the schoolie action is still good along the bay side of Moriches. They have been taking small swimming plugs fished slowly.

Bluefish are still very aggressive from the south shore beaches all the way to Montauk.  Poppers, tins, and chunks of bunker will produce.

If you are a fluke fisherman and are looking for something new to try, targeting those fish at night is a fun challenge. When fluke fishing  at night the best places to go to are bridges with lighted areas and shallow areas in the bays.Fluke are not nocturnal but will remain active at night to hunt, using the same techniques that work during the day will also work at night. Bucktails, fluke belly and squid are all excellent options for the night time

The Lakes and Ponds are Hot 🔥 and so is the fishing

Local lakes are still providing action in this summer heat. Great Patchogue Lake has put up some nice Largemouth Bass and pickerel. Most fish are all being caught with live shiners or soft plastic worms. Panfish are hitting nightcrawlers or small plastic grubs on a jig heads. Patchogue locals discovered some great night time fishing at Gibbs Pond.  Anglers managed to catch (and released) a half dozen LM Bass on lures. Anglers also reported using jigs, poppers and swim-baits. The biggest fish going 5lbs.

The lake of the week is Great Patchogue Lake  also known as mill pond is located right in patchouge and is one of the best lakes in the area. Great Lake contains excellent fishing for bass, pickerel, crappie and perch.Shore fishing is productive but limited.If you are able to use a kayak or boat it is a great choice. This lake can be fished from both the front and back side with shore access along the roe blvd bridge. The best way to fish this lake would be bait like live shiners or night crawlers. Lures will also work great with spinners, senkos and top water baits like poppers and jitter bugs all producing great results.

Send your reports, photos or your favorite fish recipe to: REPORTS@JJSPORTSFISHING.COM

Don't forget to include, names, location and details (when possible: lures or bait used, tides, etc….) comments or questions are welcome. 631-654-2311