FISHING offshore this past week saw some exciting moments with the shark action reaching a peak and bluefin tuna coming within a few miles of South Shore beaches.
Inshore fishing continues to impress, especially now that we have great porgy action from the New York Bight to Montauk and into the Sound. Striped bass fishing has slacked off a bit, but that’s normal for mid-summer.
The fluking saw some improvement, especially around the East End. Besides the bluefin being caught off Jones and Fire Island Inlets in 45-55 feet of water, there were reports of large numbers of bluefins being trolled at Hudson Canyon. Shark fishing is seeing the usual large numbers of blue sharks being tagged and released, but makos and threshers are being caught in decent numbers at the 20 fathom curve.
Locally, good fishing for fluking inside Jamaica Bay at the Silver Hole, MP Bridge, Floyd Bennett Field and Plum Beach. Although there are lots of shorts, you should take a few keepers if you put in the time. Fluking is also pretty good aboard the Sheepshead Bay party boats.
Porgy fishing was a big hit this past week in the western end of the Sound with scup to 2 pounds being caught at Matinecock Point. Plenty of bass being taken at Hempstead Harbor and Manhasset Bay and fluke also in many of the same areas. In the Huntington area, you’ll find good fishing for bass, blues and fluke.
Southeast of Jones Inlet, they’re trolling bluefins to 25 pounds at the Bacardi Wreck. Along the beaches you’ll find stripers near the Needle and at Tobay Beach. In Great South Bay and Moriches Bay, fluking is a good way to spend the day with fish to 7 pounds coming over the rails of the open boats. Early and late in the day, you’ll find stripers taking live bait at most of the inlets.
The blue claw crabs are in season and it’s a good way to spend the day with kids netting these delicious morsels at many of the docks and bulk heads in Great South Bay and Moriches Bay.
The porgy bite is on for East End anglers. From the Peconics and North Fork into Gardiners you’ll find there are lots of porgy to be had. In Gardiners, porgies and fluke were taken at the Ruins. The fluke fishing has been hot this past week, with action in the Sound at Hortons and Trumans Beach. There are lots of spots in the Peconics for the porgies, just ask around at the local bait and tackle shops.
In Shinnecock, there are fluke off the beaches and inside by the bridge and Coast Guard Station. The striper fishing is on both sides of the bridge. Montauk fishing is much the same, although fluke fishing picked up again on the Southside. Bass are at the Point and Shagwong as well as Great Eastern and the Rips. Surf fishing under the stars has produced a number of keeper bass. Offshore there is good shark action with a number of big threshers being caught last weekend.