Fluke Season Opens May 4th • Weakfish- Bluefish- Bass And Porgies Arrive In Force • Regulations Update

May 4th was the start of the  Fluke season in New York.  Preliminary reports have been good.  Predictions are that it's going to be a spectacular opening.  So, A couple of fluke rigs and a spearing-squid combo will "do the trick" and hopefully bring home a 10lb doormat. Some good places to start are  Shinecock Inlet  and Moriches bays (Narrow Bay.) 

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Breaking News......Striped bass off the local docks, Weakfish catches reported to the west. Porgies caught to the east. Bluefish are in the bay and fluke opened May 4th!! 

As of May 1, 2025 by emergency action, NOAA Fisheries has prohibited possession of recreationally caught Atlantic cod in all federal waters south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

In state waters: The NYS Regulations for Atlantic cod,  are: 23” minimum size, 5 fish possession limit and an open season September 1 through May 31. The recreational season  is closed June 1 through August 31.

Patchogue locals had a good pick of schoolie striped bass in the back bays. Shinnecock Canal, most bridges and docks  too have fish. Using light tackle with small soft plastics and bucktails makes for a more exciting catch. 

The local dock in Patchogue ( Patchogue's Mascot Dock ) is starting to see some life with bass. Our first confirmed reports came in during the week of a couple of big Bass were landed on top water lures. In about a week the areas should be loaded and they will be hitting lures and bunker chunks aggressively. 

The boaters have been searching for bunker pods and targeting bass that feed upon these bait fish pods. Several big Bass have been reported using this technique. Bucktails and swim shads have also produced some fine catches.

Weakfish are starting to make a appearance in our local area. Some fish are being caught in the bay on sandworms drifted along the bottom as well as small soft plastics on a jig head . With the warmer water temperatures  coming they will start to feed more often as the season goes on .

May fishing update:  Weakfish and Bluefish at the local docks.  It's time to try tins or bucktails  or if bait is preferred, use a chunk of bunker or mackerel. Breaking News: Bluefish reported at Shinnecock inlet. Fish have been report to 12+lbs.  Tins, popping plugs and bunker bait are producing fine results.

Once again Porgy fishing has been very productive. If you want quality and quantity, go to the North Shore or Peconic Bays also you can find porgies at  Shinnecock Canal and local Shinecock Inlet . A mix of clams and sandworms has been very effective, with people reaching their limit in no time. If on the boat, Chumming will help extend the bite and keep the fish in your area longer.

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Now, if you're eagerly awaiting the first signs of porgies, you don't have to wait. They too are here and are  humongous. I have already heard of porgies topping 5lbs!!! Peconic bays are the first location for these early tasty treats.

Spring Clam Chumming for Bass
Spring is a great time to chum for Striped Bass using Clam Bellies. When chumming for Bass off of your boat you will need to anchor up current of a bridge piling or in a cut near an inlet or off of a sandbar next to deeper water, moving water is a must. Drop a block of frozen clam belly chum off of the side of your boat in a weighted chum cage or pot. Try to get the pot as far to the front of your boat as you can so the line on the pot doesn't interfere when landing a fish. Use a medium heavy boat rod with a level wind reel, I prefer mono line in 30 lb. test but you can use braid. Use a fish finder clip on your line tied to a barrel swivel with a 6/0 or 7/0 Circle hook (are also mandated when “bait fishing” for Striped Bass) .with a 36 in. leader of either 50-60 lb mono or flourocarbon.

Cast a full skimmer clam behind your boat out into the chum. You will need anywhere between a 5 and a 10 oz. bank sinker to hold bottom depending on how much current you are fishing. When the fish hit they will take the bait and run, when  using circle hooks just reel until the line is tight.

When fighting the fish you will also be fighting the current thats why I prefer a heavier rod. Land the fish as fast as you can so if it is released it will be less stressed. When clam chumming for Bass the action can be fast and furious at times so if a fish is hooked get a line out there as fast as you can after that first fish is landed.

Opening Day Fluke Recipe:

Lemon Garlic Fluke
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Coat the bottom of a baking dish with cooking oil spray.

In a bowl mix together :
4 tablespoons of melted butter,
2 tablespoons of lemon juice,
2 tablespoons of crushed wet garlic,
1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.

1-Pat dry cleaned Fluke fillets (1- 1 1/2 lbs. and place in the baking dish.
2-Pour the contents of the bowl on top the fillets and sprinkle a little smoked paprika on the fillets.
3-Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the fillets turn flaky and firm.
4-Garnish with a lemon wedge and fresh parsley. Serve with Wild Rice and enjoy.

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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

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. Call (631) 654-2311