Long Island fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. The south shore and the Sound are both alive with the fall run. The bunker are in the bays and along the beaches, and the stripers are following. The new moon this weekend should add to the action.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass are on the move along the south shore beaches, Fire Island Inlet and the Sound, feeding on bunker and sand eels. False albacore are off the beaches and the inlets, bluefish are mixed in, and blackfish (tautog) season is underway on the rocks and wrecks. Porgies and sea bass are still around, and fluke are on the wrecks.
Where to Find Them
Jones Beach, Democrat Point, Captree and Fire Island Inlet are the places to start on the south shore. Shinnecock Inlet and Montauk are productive. On the north side, Orient Point and the Sound shoreline provide stripers and tog. The wrecks off Fire Island hold sea bass and fluke.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend brings strong tides to the inlets. The incoming tide brings bait, and fish gather at the mouth. The surf can be rough with a northeast wind, which tends to trigger a feeding frenzy.
Tackle & Tactics
Bucktails, soft plastics and swimming plugs work for stripers. Metal lures and small jigs are good for albacore and blues. For tog, use green crabs on a small hook. For fluke, a bucktail with a strip of squid is productive.
The Great South Bay and the Moriches Bay offer calmer water for anglers in smaller boats, with bluefish, weakfish and the occasional striper. They also hold bait, and when the weather turns, the bays are a good fallback.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Jones Beach State Park, Captree State Park boat basin, Robert Moses State Park and Democrat Point. Fish are concentrating at the inlets and the bait schools. Check current New York DEC regulations and seasons before keeping any fish, as striped bass and tog rules are strict.
This Week’s Tip
Watch the beach for bait. If you see bunker flipping at the surface, the stripers are close. Match your lure to the bait.
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