It is no secret that Long Island is a sport-fishing Mecca. Anglers from around the globe travel to this piece of extraordinary real estate to sample its remarkable bounty of marine game fish species. Some of the best of that fishing occurs off the north shore of the Island. The waters of the central Long Island Sound are especially fertile and rich in wide variety of marine life. Harbors, beaches, bays and the open Sound are collectively ground zero for some of the finest fly and light tackle angling our region has to offer. Indigenous species, joined by migrating pelagic visitors are present seasonally in local waters, offering numerous opportunities for recreational anglers. Local area fishing literally heats up as springtime air and water temperatures rise, fueling a resurgence of many forms of baitfish, crustaceans, crabs and other varieties of prey species. The larger game fish predictably follow in hot pursuit. Fishing activity builds throughout the spring and continues into the late fall months.
Each spring brings with it a fly-fishing and light-tackle renaissance. Within the parameters of legal seasons the local angling scene revolves around a number of prominent game fish: striped bass, weakfish, hickory shad, summer flounder bluefish, Atlantic bonito, false albacore and Spanish mackerel. These great game fish provide wonderful fly and light tackle sport fishing opportunities. Fortunately for the fishing community many of these fish linger in the neighborhood, providing not only a productive season but an extended one as well. For most avid anglers, fishing exploits begin in April and end as late as mid-December. By any standards, that is a long fishing season.
The Long Island Sound is the beneficiary of time honored fish migrations from the west and east. Species like striped bass and bluefish move into the Sound either coming up the south shore and then heading north and west, or by moving through the New York Bight and East River, heading east. The Sound is a unique melting pot in that it is often the place where fish traveling from the west meet fish moving in from the east; they congregate and they stay. And as long as conditions of water temperature and bait sources remain conducive to their life styles, the game fish too will remain.
The numerous harbors that dot the Sound are very productive fishing grounds. The harbors and other protected bays and backwaters, can be quite productive in the spring striped bass and shad. The Sound is also well known for its phenomenal run summer flounder, colloquially referred to as fluke. The season for fluke typically runs from late spring until the end of summer. Bluefish also consistently roam this area and range in size from small snappers to massive “choppers” of over twenty pounds. Within the boundaries of the harbor one can explore other productive backwater areas, some even containing very fishable flats. These early season locations are ideal for a shallow draft boats or kayaks. One might also chose to wade into the Sound to surf fish or to launch a boat at one of the many launch ramps. If you have not fished this area, the services of a professional fly and light tackle charter guide will trim your learning curve and put fish on the end of your line.
Each spring brings with it a fly-fishing and light-tackle renaissance. Within the parameters of legal seasons the local angling scene revolves around a number of prominent game fish: striped bass, weakfish, hickory shad, summer flounder bluefish, Atlantic bonito, false albacore and Spanish mackerel. These great game fish provide wonderful fly and light tackle sport fishing opportunities. Fortunately for the fishing community many of these fish linger in the neighborhood, providing not only a productive season but an extended one as well. For most avid anglers, fishing exploits begin in April and end as late as mid-December. By any standards, that is a long fishing season.
The Long Island Sound is the beneficiary of time honored fish migrations from the west and east. Species like striped bass and bluefish move into the Sound either coming up the south shore and then heading north and west, or by moving through the New York Bight and East River, heading east. The Sound is a unique melting pot in that it is often the place where fish traveling from the west meet fish moving in from the east; they congregate and they stay. And as long as conditions of water temperature and bait sources remain conducive to their life styles, the game fish too will remain.
The numerous harbors that dot the Sound are very productive fishing grounds. The harbors and other protected bays and backwaters, can be quite productive in the spring striped bass and shad. The Sound is also well known for its phenomenal run summer flounder, colloquially referred to as fluke. The season for fluke typically runs from late spring until the end of summer. Bluefish also consistently roam this area and range in size from small snappers to massive “choppers” of over twenty pounds. Within the boundaries of the harbor one can explore other productive backwater areas, some even containing very fishable flats. These early season locations are ideal for a shallow draft boats or kayaks. One might also chose to wade into the Sound to surf fish or to launch a boat at one of the many launch ramps. If you have not fished this area, the services of a professional fly and light tackle charter guide will trim your learning curve and put fish on the end of your line.
