Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 29, 2026
This Long Island NY fishing report covers late October, the best stretch of the year, with the striper run building along the beaches and inlets. Striped bass are the lead target, moving along the south shore with the fall bait migration, while false albacore work off the beaches and blackfish settle on the rocks and wrecks. Bluefish are feeding on bait, and fluke are heading offshore. The main condition to plan around is the strengthening tide: the outgoing water at the inlets is the window.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass are on the run along the south shore beaches and inlets, false albacore are off the beaches, and blackfish are on the structure.
Bluefish are feeding on bait, and fluke are heading offshore. Expect the fall run to keep building as bait moves along the south shore.
Where to Find Them
Fish the inlets at Fire Island and Shinnecock on the outgoing tide for stripers. Falling water pulls bait out of the bays and through the inlets, and bass stack up along the rips to feed.
Cast from the surf along the south shore for bass and blues, and fish rocks and wrecks for blackfish, which stay tight to hard structure where crabs live.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon building toward full, tides are strengthening. The outgoing tide at the inlets is best. Stronger tides sharpen the rips at inlet mouths, concentrating bait and the fish feeding on it, and the change of tide often brings a burst of activity. Check a current tide chart and marine forecast before heading out.
Tackle & Tactics
- Stripers: bucktails, swimming plugs and live bait.
- Blackfish: green crabs on a jig.
- A medium-heavy rod with 30 pound braid.
Match the bait size: small plugs for peanut bunker, bigger swimmers for bigger baitfish. Stripers often key on one size of bait during the fall run, so a lure that looks like what they are already eating tends to outfish a random choice. Watch the surface for the size of bait being pushed, and adjust the plug before switching spots.
Local Intel This Week
Captree State Park and Democrat Point give shore anglers a path to the surf and Fire Island Inlet, and Shinnecock Inlet is the eastern option for the rips. The site’s guide also lists Heckscher State Park and Bay Shore Marina for anglers working the south shore, with boats running from the marinas to the rips and wrecks. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Fish the dark. Dawn and dusk are prime for stripers along the surf. Low light makes bass more willing to push into the wash to feed, and it gives surf casters an edge over fish that are wary in bright, clear conditions.
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