Bluefish Madness • Kingfish And Blowfish Start • Freshwater Fishing Is Active
Posted by Pablo Salinas on
Bluefish Madness continues around The Smith Point County Park Bay area, as well as both Shinecock Inlet and Moriches inlets have been filled with these aggressive bluefish. The varying sizes of these "yellow eyed" devils range from 4lbs to 15lbs. Popping plugs and tins have been the most successful lures these past weeks for these fish. For my bait fisherman mackerel and bunker are the baits of choice, these fish will only be here for another couple weeks! So don't miss out on this bite !
Striped bass fishing is now starting to improve more and more each day now. Reports are coming in from all along the south shore as well as the peconics. Fish are anywhere from 28"-35" Lures most effective have been swim shads, sp minnows, bucktails, and soft plastic lures. The night tides have been more effective than the day tides and bait like: clam, bunker, and mackerel have all been effective in bait wise.
Fluke are being caught all along the eastern Long Island including the “Narrow Bay” at Smith’s point. This season has already seen some nice keeper sized Fluke rise up off the bottom but its a pick with alot of shorts in the mix but plenty of action ! Plain squid and spearing have taken many fish as well as Bucktails with gulp accounting for a lot of fish as well. Locally, the Moriches and Fire Island inlet appears to be producing best.In the Mix dont be surprised on getting into a weakfish bite.
The Weakfish bite has been outstanding with some nice fish up to 8-10 lbs being caught in the Peconic Bays to Great South Bay: Ocean Beach. Bass Assassins on a small jig head, small bucktails, small tins have all been catching weakfish. Put in the time and you will be rewarded with a nice Tide runner. Hi-low rigs tipped with gulp have been very effective , Anglers even reporting many double headers.
The start of "summer fun fish" is starting to develop nicely. Kingfish and Blowfish have been caught in Shinnecock Canal and are starting to see more and more fish throughout the Great South Bay too. It's time to travel to the Local docks and try your luck at catching these tasty creatures. Clam, sandworms or squid are all fine baits. Try using a #9 chestertown hook with a 1 or 2oz sinker.
Crabbing is starting, a little slow right now but in a short amount of time catches should improve. Crab traps baited with bunker works well. Crab nets are also a good option but the weather needs to improve a bit before this is productive.
West Lake has been active with bluegills and perch. Nightcrawler are the primary bait fished with a small float. If you don't want to use bait, small hair jigs and plastics are also great alternatives. Pickerel has also been active in Great Patchogue Lake. The bait of choice for pickerel are live shiners. A simple set up includes a #4 hook, small float but a wire leader may also be needed. Pickerel have sharp teeth. Looking for Freshwater Fishing Regulations? Click here. A freshwater license is required when fishing any of the lakes and streams on Long Island. 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.
