North Shore Long Island Fishing Report

When I spoke to Mark from Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport, he said that since most fisheries are closed now, herring fishing is pretty much the only game on the North Shore. Sabiki rigs are doing the trick and high tide seems to be the best time to catch them. Centerport, Northport, Huntington, and Cold Spring Harbors are all holding fish.

Mark also mentioned that, if you’re not interested in herring, freshwater trout fishing is doing really well, especially in Smithtown, on flies and doughballs with scents. Cow Harbor is now running on winter hours of 9am to 5pm, Friday to Sunday. The shop will be doing rod repair and $10 reel repair all winter.

South Shore Long Island Fishing Report

Bobby at Causeway Bait and Tackle in Wantagh said that he has heard that the herring bite at Magnolia Pier in Long Beach is pretty decent.

Bryce at White Water Outfitters in Hampton Bays said that locally the charter boats are mainly fishing for cod and sea bass. While the sea bass season closed on Tuesday, a few boats are working under an RSA permit and will be fishing for them until their quota has been met. Further to the west on the South Shore, boats are going out for trips on the wrecks for sea bass, pollock, and ling. White Water also wanted to let everyone know that they will be at the New York Boat Show this week through Sunday, so be sure to visit their booth if you head to the show.

Metro Long Island Fishing Report

Louie at Island Bait and Tackle in the Bronx said the herring fishing is very good at Hudson Park, Glen Island, and Cameron’s Dock on sabiki rigs. Sheepshead Bay and the Coney Island Pier under the lights are also good places for herring right now, according to Stretch from Stella Maris Bait and Tackle in Brooklyn.

Island Bait and Tackle is open every day in the winter from 10am to 4pm, although you should call ahead as they may be closed during inclement weather. Louie said that while the sea bass season is closed for us, the shop has all the rigs you would need for anyone wanting to fish for sea bass in New Jersey.

East End Long Island Fishing Report

Although many of the East End shops are closed for the winter, Bryce at White Water did say that the party boats are hitting the water south of Block Island for cod. He mentioned that January is a good time to fish for them as they are usually larger this time of year and there is a better chance of a nice mixed bag rather than just cod that you will see later in the year.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Herring seems like a pretty good bet all around the Island. Many of the North Shore harbors are holding fish, as well as quite a few piers on the South Shore and Metro areas.

This is also a good time of year to hop on a party or charter boat to hit the cod grounds. The chance of ling and pollock mixing in should make for an exciting trip, and it’s even better if you get on a boat with an RSA permit for sea bass.

The weather may be keeping a lot of people home this weekend, but if you have time to spare from shoveling snow, head to the New York Boat Show and check out some of the new stuff coming out this year, catch a seminar, and visit the On The Water booth (#1454).

I hope everyone has a very Happy, Healthy, and Fishy New Year!