LET’S be honest here, the weather has been great for fishing with spring species such as winter flounder and mackerel off to a flying start, but 90-degree temperatures in April is a little scary. Did anyone say global warming?
Striped bass, weakfish and fluke have all been taken this past week, and with this weather it’s no surprise that these summertime species are being found in April.
Locally, just about everyone in the New York Bight has been hooking up with flounder. From the Stella Maris Fishing Station in Sheepshead Bay, we hear that flounder have been taken in Jamaica Bay at the Cross Bay Bridge, Plum Beach and Floyd Bennett Field as well as the Coney Island Flats, but the “reel” hot spot the past few days has been Romer Shoal.
Mackerel have been a hot item all week for boats from Sheepshead Bay to Freeport. In the New York Bight, mackerel seem to be everywhere, with boats working a large area from Ambrose Light to 17 Fathoms. Boats out of Freeport have been finding big macks in 65-70 feet of water southeast of Jones Inlet.
Inshore wrecks and reefs are giving up some quality blackfish. From Sandy Hook to Jones Inlet, find a reef or wreck in 50-60 feet of water and you have a shot at blackfish to 12 pounds. Freeport boats chasing flounder are still working backwater areas like Baldwin Bay.
Bluefish are starting to show in Raritan Bay and there are striped bass just about everywhere you look, but until May 8 it’s just catch-and-release.
From Jack’s Bait and Tackle Shop on City Island, we get word that flounder fishing was better at the Lagoon and Turtle Cove for those using sandworms on a moving tide, that’s according to Gino. Blackfish are being taken off Mamaroneck and Rye Playland. If you’re looking for some catch-and-release bass action, try water beneath the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges.
A big upswing for flounder the past week in Great South Bay and Moriches Bay. In Great South Bay, they’re taking flounder at Dickerson’s, the Babylon Cut and off Heckscher. Captree piers are giving up flounder while the Overlook Pier has seen some striper action. Fluke and weakfish are also showing up in the Great Bay. Anglers renting skiffs in Moriches Bay have been limiting out on winter flounder near Havens Point.
The pot is starting to stir out east, with flounder action picking up in Shinnecock Bay. Schoolie bass are showing in the Shinnecock Canal.
Montauk charter boats continue to head to Block Island and other offshore pieces for a nice mix of cod, snowshoe flounder, blackfish and ling. Lake Montauk has started to produce winter flounder at a consistent rate. The Viking Starship racked up another big score at the Stellwagen Banks, loading up on cod to 30 pounds along with haddock and hake.