4th of July Fishing Forecast • Fluke Fishing Is Hot • Fishing Regulation Updates • Plenty Of Bass Around • What's Up With Sea Bass

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If you have a boat and weather permitting,  head out to the ocean, and try for some big Striped bass. the bunker schools are close, between 30 and 60 feet of water. the bunker seems to be balled up close to the bottom, getting yourself a fresh bunker and get it to the bottom. Bass coming over the rails have been 40 plus pounds. make sure once you snag your bunker you get him in and on to a in-line circle hook, before you send him back down. 

Striped bass can still be found all over the island, while most are in the inlet fish can still be caught throughout our bays and the ocean. A Patchogue local  just recently reported an excellent pick of bass  in the Moriches inlet with plenty slot fish and over slot fish.

Flutter spoons have also been a favorite amongst anglers, the gold, sliver and neon patterns have had great success. This method often requires deeper water in order to work the lure properly. 

As of  June 23rd, Black Sea bass  officially opened for the 2025 season. Sea bass can be found all over the island on rock piles and structure. The best way catch these fish is a simple hi-lo rig with bait such as clam or squid. Another popular way to catch sea bass is jigging. Jigging is a fun and active way to get these fish. When jigging a diamond jig will work well. Many fishermen favor gold and silver diamond jigs.

#sea bass hi-lo reg  • #Sea bass habitat 

When targeting Sea bass  be sure to fish near structure or Artificial Reefs  because these fish use it for cover and feeding. See more info NYSDEC Artificial Reef Guide (PDF)

The wreck of week is the Shinnecock Reef. This reef is only a couple of miles south of the Shinnecock inlet (40’ 48.600 72’ 28.930) and has some great fishing opportunities including sea bass , porgy , triggerfish mackerel and Ling. The best way to fish this reef would be to anchor up and drop some bait like clam or squid.

Bluefish continue to roam the island with fish being pulled out of our local area, and bays. Many of these fish have been caught in and around bunker pods. A great way to target these fish is bunker chunks or live lining a whole bunker. Diamond jigs and sp minnows will also do the trick.

Blowfish and kingfish have also been reported at the Local Docks. The best way to target these tasty fish are clams on a simple high low bait rig.Both species have no size or number limits  and both are great to eat.

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Crabs Are In!!!  Fun to catch and great to eat!! Traps and nets work well. Bunker and mackerel make a fine bait.

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Porgies continue to be caught in the  Artificial Reefs, Shinnecock Inlet  , North Shore beaches and Peconic Bays.  Clam is doing well, sandworms or lug worms are also producing some fine quality fish. #1 or 2 porgy hook is the tackle of choice. Weakfish have also been reported in the peconics and Orient point.

Summer Weakfish are being caught around the Great South Bay area.  Small jigs with strips of squid have produced.  The other trick is to use these small jigs and tip them with a night crawler. (night crawlers are a freshwater bait that bleaches-out in saltwater and looks like a tape-worm.  A common bait in the bay)

With the resent change in warmer water temperatures  we should see bait staying in shallower water. With the bait closer to shore, it will keep some of the bigger fish near by too. In the Bays "fluking" is picking up. Favorable tides this week produced a lot of fish being pulled up, but we are starting to see a big gap in the keeper to short ratio.

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Fluke fishing has picked up significantly in our local waters as the temperature continues to pick up so has the fluking. Places such as the Moriches Coast Guard Station and bay have shown a solid pick of keeper fish. The smiths point Narrow Bay and the Shinnecock Inlet have also shown a good pick of quality fish.

TACKLE TIP: The best way to catch fluke is a hi-li bucktail rig with gulp on both the teaser and the bucktail. When fishing these locations a bucktail no larger then 2oz will do the trick. When fishing this kind of rig it is always good to keep the bucktail moving in the water by simply jigging. Bait such as squid, spearing and fluke belly are all great alternatives to gulp. All of these baits can also be used on a bucktail rig

TACKLE TIP: Fluke and weakfish are still being caught in the bays and inlets. For fluke bucktails with squid and spearing are a great option for these fish. Berkley Gulp is a great option as an artificial bait and there are many unique colors and patterns that work great for fluke and weakfish. Weakfish can be caught using similar methods but be sure to use pink bucktails or gulp .

Surf Report: The surf bite has been steady with nice shots of bass and bluefish on both the South Shore Inlets and sand beaches and jetty’s. Both day and night time are good bets for catching. During the day fishing bait or throwing bucktails, tins and plugs will give you good  results. At night it’s best to fish jigs, swimming plugs and soft plastics. Just be sure to have plenty of back up lures when bluefish are thick or just move to a different spot if you’re looking for bass.

TACKLE TIP: There are mixed baits like bunker, spearing and sand eels  so lures  imitating those baits will do you best. The size of bass being caught is quite encouraging being mostly over slot size fish but finding a few legal fish to take home is quite doable. 

Bluefish can still be found in places like Patchogue's Mascot Dock  , sayville and bluepoint docks . At these docks most fish are caught on bait such as bunker and mackerel chunks. Diamond jigs are also a favorite among dock anglers. In the moriches and Shinnecock Inlet  there has been lots of large bluefish with most being caught on bucktails and bunker. . Lures such as poppers and darters have also had great success in the inlets.

For those offshore guys June/July is the start of the Tuna bite. A consistent spot has been the Combria wreck out of Shinnecock. 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

__________ FISH FACTS __________

Cobia: Updated '2025

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

Read more "Stories and Reports" from J&J Sports Blog Posts: Click Here

Freshwater fishing on the island is at its prime. The Great Patchogue Lake hold good size bass , pickerel and blue gill. Night crawlers on a small bait hook with a bobber is a great way to catch these fish. Lures such as spinners, poppers and artificial worms are all great and fun options.

The lake of the week is fort pond in montauk. Fort pond is an excellent lake and contains a variety of species not commonly found on our island. This lake has both Waleye and small mouth bass which both make for an excellent fight and a challenge. The best way to catch these fish would be lures like rapala jerk Shad’s and senko worms. This lake also has fish like largemouth bass, crappie, perch and sun fish. Bait like live shiners and night crawlers will work excellent at this lake.

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. DETAILS

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

"Fun Fish Around Long Island." Most are edible and plentiful too. So enjoy the summer and tight lines. (PDF) Updated Part 1 & 2

   Part 1     Part 2
     

Fun Fish- Long Island is full of "other" types of fish that are not only fun to catch but fine to eat too. Did you ever try Triggerfish? A tough critter with even a tougher skin.  However, once cleaned <Fillet A Triggerfish Video>  they are a fine meal.  

Plenty of Blowfish around too. <Fillet A Blowfish Video> Called "chicken of the sea" because they are a tasty treat. Easy to catch and (if big enough) a great meal.

Don't underestimate the tenacity and taste of Sea Robbins. <Fillet A Sea Robbin Video> These scrappy critters are plentiful and tasty too.  Catch them on bait or lures with a light tackle combo for an exciting time. More Fun Fish Facts on the attached PDF sheets:

Video collection "Features-Demos and More" from J&J Sports Video Blog Posts: Click Here

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