Western Long Island and NYC Fishing Report- July 6, 2023

Big fluke are caught regularly on the south shore, stripers hit eels and bunker around NYC, and there are rumblings of cobia in the back bays of Long Beach.

by Nick Cancelliere

Western Long Island and NYC Fishing Report

  • The full moon produced ripping currents and great striped bass fishing over the past weekend. 
  • First reports of cobia trickle in. 
  • More tuna catches popping up on social media. 
  • Quality sheepshead being caught on nearshore structure. 
  • More doormat fluke reported on the South shore this week. 

John from Freeport Bait and Tackle reports: 

“Some HUGE fluke have been weighed in this week from the local area. More so than any other year. We weighed up a 7 pounder and a bunch over 25 inches that were caught off the local piers. Deep ocean fluking has been great as well. Seabass anglers have been limiting out regularly – the key is to put in the time in your spots and be patient! Plenty of doormats around. Most being caught on bucktails and gulp, but also – Bunker! Boy do big fluke love bunker and we’re stocked fresh daily, so stop in the shop to get set up to catch doormats.” 


Johnny Fish from Lindenhurst Bait and Tackle reports: 

“Fluke is picking up but it seems the bass fishing has slowed a bit. Our customer Carl brought in a 7-pound fluke this week and plenty of keepers are coming out of the inlets and outside. I had a 40 pound ray last night while chunking and only a few short stripers and some bluefish. Less big fish reported this week compared to last week. Its more of a nighttime bite right now.”

Jamie from Bay Park Fishing Station said: 

“Fluke bite is great in the bay, usually on the incoming tide. Rockaway Reef bite is on in full force, most fish are being taken on squid and spearing. Mike Redmond had a great day weighing a five pound fluke and some beautiful sea bass. Cobia in the bay has been the talk of the shop. One was reportedly caught near Atlantic Beach recently. Bluefin have been sighted outside but we’re still waiting to see that first one weighed in at the shop! Finally, crabbing has been exceptionally good this year, with a lot of big blue claws all over the back bays.” 

Paul Mccain from River Bay Outfitters in Baldwin said: 

“On the 4th I did some fly fishing for carp which I haven’t done in a while and had a ball. Five hook ups, 3 break offs, and 1 really nice carp about 3 or 4 pounds and 20-inches long on my 6 weight, which was a ton of fun. That fish took me to the backing and ran across the entire pond. I used a soft hackle mop fly and the fish would turn on it and chase it on a slow strip. Carp aren’t stripers but they’re still a great time and one of Long Island’s fantastic freshwater fishing opportunities. If you have a pond close to where you live, chances are you’ve got a carp fishery.”

Gypsea Charters in Brooklyn reports:

“Fluke fishing continues to produce quality keepers on all trips! We have been fishing both the ocean and bays depending on the weather. Plenty of nice fish came up this week to 6 pounds., with quite a few anglers nailing their limits. Those who fish hard throughout the day are often rewarded with keepers. We will continue to sail open boat fro fluke by reservation only throughout the end of September. Call/text (516)659-3814 for info and reservations.”

Gypsea Charters is finding quality and consistency on the fluke grounds both inside the bay and out front. (@gypseacharters)

Rockfish Charters in Queens reports:

“This week we’ve been bass fishing all over Manhattan and up the rivers using a mix of live bunker and eels. Very scenic trips for our customers. We’re finding lots of slot fish with the occasional thirty pounder mixed in. We’re starting our tuna season today (Thursday) and will be tuna fishing and bassin’ throughout the summer. Call (347)661-4501 to book a trip.”

Rockfish Charters is still finding quality striper fishing inside New York Harbor and in the rivers, where live eels and bunker are the bait of choice. (@rockfishcharters)

Here’s what anglers have been posting on social media: 

 

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A post shared by John McMurray (@john.mcmurray.370)

 

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A post shared by Petey Trovato (@petey315691)

I hope you had a fun, free, and safe 4th of July. We’re starting to see some doormat catches pretty regularly now, and I’m seeing more and more tuna pictures on Instagram. I’ve been busy, but for the few times I got on the water this week, I spent it focusing on my newest obsession: Slow-pitch jigging.  

While in the kayak this past weekend I found a pretty big school of striped bass but couldn’t get them to bite. Ironically, I told myself I just wanted to bottom jig for porgy that day and fill my cooler. What really happened was I spent about an hour on top of this school jigging and trolling around. The stripers were finnicky, but I managed to pick two on a slow pitch jig. I moved on from them to find some porgy and did eventually bring home that cooler full of meat. You can always count on porgy to bring home dinner.  

I’m going to be experimenting with slow-pitch jigs all summer, and I’m eagerly anticipating putting them to use during blackfish season. So far I’ve caught striped bass, porgy, sea bass, and even bluefish on these jigs, the obvious next species to cross out will be fluke. Maybe even a weakfish. Stay tuned.

What to Expect This Week

The summer heat is on full blast, and it looks like we’re in for a beautiful weekend before it becomes one of those ‘maybe/maybe-not’ weeks where each day has scattered thunderstorms. Check your weather apps, watch the wind, but most importantly – get out there! Put the screen down, walk outside and feel it out for yourself.  

I recommend moving frequently and fishing different spots if you struggle to find a bite. Warm water creates lazy fish as opposed to the cold, oxygen-rich waters of spring. Fluke and striped bass will be more prone to staging on ambush points waiting for something to float their way. So don’t spend your entire day casting at the same spot if you aren’t so much as catching a sea robin.

That said, don’t just make a few casts and leave either. Be efficient: make fan casts, work the different parts of the water column, work the different angles of structure and make sure you put your lure in front of every nook and cranny that could have a fish lying in wait. Think less about what you’re casting and more about where you’re casting it.  

Lures to use? Just tie on anything that looks remotely like a sandeel. Those things have been everywhere. I’ve seen bluefish spit them up by the dozens, fluke bellies stuffed full, and birds with handfuls hanging out of their beaks after attacking the water. Of course, nothing beats live bait. Live eels are like a cheat code for big stripers. Just remember your inline circle hooks and don’t swing for the fences on the hookset – reel down on the fish, the hook will do the rest.  

Good luck, stay hydrated, and tight lines. Thanks for reading. Go catch your personal best.  

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