Fish on the Move

The weather feels like it’s changing. Temps moderated and we had some much-needed rain. If you threw in some east wind with a fish storm going by, September is a mysterious month. We can look forward to some great weather.

Bay water temps are cooling down a little, which will help the fishing. The snappers have definitely reached frying pan size. Some are 9 or 10 inches and are chasing bait and metal lures. Remember, their larger cousins are at Jessups. They are not on top every day, but are still being caught on jigs.

There is no local fluke news to report. Porgies are still in the bay and taking clams and squid. A few kingfish and blowfish are mixing in, too, with reports of some large triggerfish in the bay.

Cooling water will mean some reappearing striped bass in the bays. There are strong weakfish throughout the bay, with mixed sizes from sub-legal fish to fish up to 5 pounds. This should continue until we have a nor’easter. The next storm should put the fish on the move.

Traveling to the Gut and Race has seen some large bluefish and some keeper striped bass. Fish late and early for a better shot at the bass.

There is news of the first albacore showing up, with the east side of Gardiners Island a good place to start. Some larger sea bass are showing up in both the Sound and in Montauk. Mixing in are some good-sized porgies.

Montauk boats are still catching some fluke. Many anglers are using live snappers to catch double-digit fluke in the ocean. Remember, the fluke season is open until October 9 this year.

Still some bass and bluefish at Block Island and the Point. Tuna are still biting, with some fish within five miles of the beach, but you will have to put in the time and effort.

Anglers are talking about the upcoming Block Island season on October 11 in the Sound and October 15 in the New York Bight. Remember, there is a lot of great fishing ahead.