September "Fall Fishing" Forecast • Local Reports • Tackle Tips • Fishing Facts • It's Albie Time

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September marks the start of the highly anticipated fall run, which most anglers regard as the best part of the fishing season  which large blues trophy sized striped bass, and albies flooding our local waters.  The bass and bluefish bite in the fall is unmatched because of the influx of bait fish causing these predator fish to come into our waters to feed before migrating down south.  During the fall the inlets, bays and open beaches are all great places to catch bass and blues.

Tackle Tip: They best way to catch these fish would be bait like bunker and mackerel with lures like diamond jigs also working great.  Another great bait in the fall for bass and bluefish are live eels. Eels are a great option in the fall because like the bass and bluefish the eels are also migrating down south. To fish with eels the best way is to use a weighted hook and put the hook through the eels back.

Another great fish to catch during the fall is the false albacore. Albacore (Albies) are a type of tuna and will come in to our inlets this time of year.

Tackle Tip: The best way to catch these fish would be tin lures like spoons, deadly dicks,  diamond jigs with out the tube or Albie jigs.

Surf Report-  with all the warmer water temperatures  around fishing seems to be most active during incoming tides.  The cool influx of clean water stimulates the local bass into action.  Back Bay fishing with patterns that simulate snappers and spearing  are the key.  Don't be surprised if you also catch larger fluke on hard plastics, even at night.  

Another exciting fall baitfish that we can possibly see this year is bunker. These fish have a tendency to move at times but if you can find them you have a shot at some large stripers. when trying to match a profile of bunker, Super Strike Lures like darters, bottle plugs, and large poppers resemble this profile. Usually the colors yellow and white to be most productive with this. 

TIP: On the south shore of long island look for the "north winds." Bunker tend to head straight into the wind so that would end up putting them on out south shore beaches.

Interested in fishing Long Island parks? The park of the week is Hither Hills State Park in Montauk. This park offers excellent opportunities for camping, swimming, hunting and fishing. This park is located in Montauk right  On the ocean which offers some excellent fishing for trophy size striped bass and bluefish as well as sharks and rays. This park is open year round from sunrise to sunset.

Albies have started at the south shore inlets.  Action on the incoming tides has let to some good fishing. The hot lures of the week have been,  Deadly Dicks,  Joe Baggs Resin Jigs,

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 favorite method to cook them is a quick sear on the grill.

Snappers- The local rivers, creeks and Local Docks are loaded with these small blues. Everyday they are growing bigger making them more fun to catch on light tackle. Tackle Tip: Spearing on a float, snapper poppers and kastmasters (metal tins) all have been doing good. 

Local Docks Are producing Fluke-Blowfish-Kingfish and Snappers!!!

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Crabbing-Crabbing continues to produce some fine catches.  Traps are doing a little better than nets, however, you can't beat a summers nights crabbing at a local dock with a flashlight and crab net.  Picking the blue claws from pilings are what summers are made for.  Best bet, bunker and mackerel bait. If you enjoy crabbing, try and get down to the docks at least one more time. They are still around and are rather big this time of the year.  Patchogue's Mascot Dock , Pine Neck Dock and Bluepoint (Corey Beach) are all good ones to try out.

Fluke- Mike Mcewen stoped in with a 5lb Fluke From  Moriches.   fluke fishing has been pretty good at Moriches Coast Guard Station and through-out  Moriches, however have to sift through the shorts. For those that are in the  Great South Bay and don't want to take the hike, Buoy 32  is producing some good fluke action. Keep in mind Fluke Season closes on October 15th.

The last couple of years the September fluke bite has been excellent The ocean fluke fishing has produced some bigger fish. Fishing around the Artificial Reefs 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.  (See more info NYSDEC Artificial Reef Guide (PDF)

In the Great South Bay there has been a surprising run of Weakfish in the last few weeks. Drifting and slow jigging a small tubeless single hook diamond jig tipped with either squid strips or spearing has been very effective with some anglers having success with Gulp as well.

Blues- Similar to stripers, blues are starting to pick up in action.  We have heard of a decent pick of fish in both Moriches and Shinecock inlets on incoming tides. Tins and popping plugs have been doing the work.

Porgy- The porgy bite continued to hold strong going into this week. Both shorebound anglers and boat fishermen are getting their fill. Look for rocky structure or a wrecks. In the fall, clam works better than sandworms. 

Sea bass- Sea Bass are also very active with larger fish moving on to the nearby wrecks and structure. The limit on Sea Bass through the end of the   Sea Bass-Size Limit: 16-1/2" • 6 Per Day: 9/01-12/31.  

Tackle Tip: Sea Bass are very aggressive and will take either Clam, Squid  or Spearing. For a shot at some larger fish try jigging with a A27 or A47 tubeless single hook Diamond Jig. When bait fishing or jigging the  Artificial Reefs and structure you will also have a shot at larger Porgies, Ling (Red Hake) and the occasional Codfish. So if your looking to fill your freezer with some tasty fillets for the winter, now is the time to go. See more info NYSDEC Artificial Reef Guide (PDF)

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.

Fish Facts: Ling

Ling or Red Hake may not be the most attractive fish in the sea but - as a member of the cod family - it can be made to be absolutely delicious! Caught off local wrecks. 1/0 Hook and clam bait will "do the trick"

This wreck of the week is the fire island reef. This reef is located just 2 miles south of the fire island inlet making it a favorite for local anglers and the captree fleet.in the fall this reef is excellent with tons of porgy and sea bass . On September 1 sea bass limits extend to 6 fish a day over 3 fish and these new limits will go on until the end of December. When fishing this reef bait like clam and squid are great choices because these is also plenty of fluke to be caught. Gulp is another great choice for this spot.

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:

"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  
   

 Don't Forget To Visit Ron's SEAFOOD RECIPES

Offshore-Offshore remain "hot" with catches of Mahi -mahi reported Coimbra wreck.  

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.

Freshwater-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.

This weeks lake of the week is forge pond in calverton. Forge pond is 6ft deep at its deepest and is 120 acres. Forge pond has some excellent fishing. This lake has largemouth bass, crappie, chain pickerel ,yellow perch and sun fish. There is also a DEC boat ramp located off of south river road on the lake with spots for 10 vehicles.

When we started the regulation page, there were a handful of species of fish that were managed. (Bag limit , minimum size and season.) But today the amount of critters that have management restrictions can be overwhelming.

For many of the common species of fish in our waters, we’ve tried to compile a sheet (PDF) that you can take with you, as well as the website that lists many other types of fish that have management measures placed on catch requirements/restrictions.

Reglamento y tabla de identificación de peces '2024 actualizar (PDF)   Descargar e imprReglamento y tabla de identificación de peces '2025imir 

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

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