Updated: Thursday, October 29, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, November 5, 2026
This Long Island NY fishing report is a seasonal outlook for the south shore beaches, inlets and the Sound. The fall striped bass run is rolling along the beaches while blackfish season is in full swing on rocks and wrecks. Wind is the main variable, because northeast blows rough up the south shore while westerlies flatten it.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass are the headline, feeding along the south shore beaches and inlets as bait moves west to east. Blackfish are on the rock piles, jetties and wrecks. Bluefish are fading as water cools, and fluke have moved offshore. A few late false albacore may linger, and porgies hold on Sound structure. Peanut bunker and sand eels are the key forage this week, and schools near the surface reveal feeding stripers.
Where to Find Them
Fish Fire Island Inlet and Jones Inlet on the outgoing tide for stripers. Democrat Point and the Robert Moses State Park surf hold bass at dawn and dusk. Montauk and Shinnecock Inlet hold stripers and blackfish, and the rocks of the North Shore hold blackfish. Rock piles in Long Island Sound hold tautog. Shore anglers can also work the Jones Beach fishing pier and the Point Lookout jetty, which concentrate bait and fish on tide changes.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon waning, tide movement through the inlets is easing, and the outgoing tide remains the best window for stripers. Slack tide is best for blackfish. Northeast wind builds a heavy surf and can make the inlets dangerous, so check the marine forecast. Plan trips around the tide change at the inlets, since current concentrates bait and gives stripers an ambush advantage.
Tackle & Tactics
Bucktails, swimming plugs and live bait for stripers, and green crabs on a heavy jig for blackfish. Use a medium-heavy rod with 30 pound braid. Match the lure to the bait size: small plugs for peanut bunker, larger swimmers for adult bunker. A white or chartreuse bucktail with a soft plastic trailer is a dependable searching lure in the surf.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Captree State Park, Democrat Point and Shinnecock Inlet. Fish concentrate at inlets on moving tide and along the surf near bait. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish, as striped bass and tautog rules are specific. Another strong location is the Fire Island Lighthouse area and the Moriches Inlet, which provide access to inlet and surf fishing.
This Week’s Tip
Fish the dark hours. Dawn and dusk are prime for stripers, and the biggest fish often feed at night. Carry a headlamp. The best striper bites often happen in the pre-dawn dark, and being able to retie quickly keeps you fishing.
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