Winter Flounder Bite Improving
Long Island’s Schoolie Striper Fishing Heats Up
Warming waters are starting to turn on the flounder bite and draw baitfish into the backwaters, where schoolie stripers are beginning to feed. Striper fishing should only get better, which is good news with striper season opening on April 15. In freshwater, the trout bite has been excellent.
North Shore Long Island Fishing Report
Carmine at Camp-Site Sport Shop in Huntington Station reported spotty action on flounder. The fish are more active now that the water has begun to warm, but unfortunately, they are few and far between at the moment. The best action is being enjoyed by boat fishermen who are able to use chum to draw them in.
Mark from Cow Harbor Tackle in Northport reported a lot of bait arriving over the last couple of days as backwaters have warmed into the high 40s and low 50s. Bunker and river herring have been spotted, and a few anglers have reported action on schoolie stripers in Little Neck Bay and Jamaica Bay.
I caught John at Terminal Tackle in Kings Park and he reported a few flounder being caught by fishermen who are putting in some time and targeting them. John anticipates that the striper fishing should turn on any day now. Bill at Jamesport Bait and Tackle reported that other than some small school stripers in the Peconic River, things have been very quiet.
West End LI & Metro NY Fishing Report
At Stella Maris in Brooklyn, patrons are doing very well on herring in Sheepshead Bay in the morning and evening, catching them on herring rigs. A few anglers are catching small striped bass, which is catch-and-release until the season opens on April 15. Flounder remains a slow pick but everyone is hopeful that it will pick up as the water warms.
At Bernies Bait and Tackle, Vinny reported more of the same: some decent-sized flounder and some catch-and-release action on schoolie stripers. There have been a few “keeper” fish mixed in, but by the time the season opens on April 15 there should be even more big bass around.
Pat at Island Bait and Tackle in the Bronx reported flounder in Orchard Beach Lagoon and a lot of schoolie bass. Blood worms or sand worms are the way to go. Over in Turtle Cove, the guys that want to do some plugging are getting schoolie and keeper-size stripers, which are getting released until opening day on the 15. Up on the Hudson River at Cronton Point Park, there are a lot of white perch, catfish and striped bass, all being caught on blood worms.
Jacks Bait and Tackle had a very good striper report from the Hudson River. The guys are really looking forward to opening day for stripers on the 15. Flounder is red hot, with Orchard Beach Lagoon and Turtle Cove by Rodman’s Neck giving up limits. Chumming has been key, producing the most flounder.
Capt Chris of the Island Current Fleet is sailing every day from City Island and getting flounder limits plus still making trips out of Snug Harbor in Rhode Island for cod when the weather cooperates. There have been some quality cod caught recently, including one at 44 pounds, and some pollock and ling mixed in.
South Shore Long Island Fishing Report
From Mark at Bay Park Fishing Station came a report of a few guys who ran offshore 40 miles and caught keeper cod to 18 pounds. Inshore has been slow, with reef fishing giving up mostly shorts.
Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle suggested anglers try their luck with flounder. Fishing is slow, but with plenty of chum, mussels, and worms you can get lucky. Anglers are reporting that the Hecksher flats, Bay Shore Flats, Ocean Beach and the canals are holding fish. The shop is fully stocked with rigs, chum pots, bloodworms, sandworms, mussels and chum. Schoolie bass are being caught in the rivers up to 15 pounds, which is a good indication for the upcoming season, starting the 15th.
Causeway Bait and Tackle reported some flounder action. It’s been slow, but they have been picking a few off of the Seaford Town Dock.
White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays reported small stripers hitting soft plastics and sandworms in the Peconic River and flounder on blood worms, mussels, and sand worms in the Shinnecock Canal and Quogue Canal. Spearing (silversides) and alewives (river herring) are starting to arrive, which is a good sign for striper fishing.
At Tight Lines Tackle, Ken said nothing has happened yet in Sag Harbor. The water is still a little too cold and guys are waiting for the water to warm up. Keep in mind, one week everything can turn on like a light switch.
Long Island Freshwater Fishing Report
Chasing Tails Bait and Tackle reported that the fish are out and about in fresh water, eating what they can find. Trout reports are coming in from Carman’s River, West Lake, Mill Pond, Bubbles Falls, Rattlesnake Creek, White’s Pool, and Argyle. They’re taking small swimmers, Powerbait and nightcrawlers. Lots of nice browns and a few nice rainbows are being weighed in at the shop. Largemouth bass are hitting topwater lures, nightcrawlers and plastic baits. Brookwood Hall, Westbrook Lake and Mill Pond have some nice fish.
Fishing Forecast for Long Island
This weekend, keep working for a flounder limit. Use chum to draw them in and you should be able to find your 2 fish for the table. By next week when striper season opens, the bite should be on in the backwaters with more fish arriving every day. In the meantime, consider taking advantage of the spectacular (and overlooked) trout fishing we have on Long Island.