October is one of the most exciting months of the year on Long Island’s South Shore. The summer crowds are gone, water temperatures begin to fall, and migrating baitfish bring predators close to shore. For striped bass, October can deliver some of the season’s best action, whether you’re fishing from a boat or working the surf. Offshore tuna, blackfish and black sea bass also give anglers plenty of opportunities to stay busy as fall takes hold.
Striped bass are the main attraction for many South Shore anglers in October. As water temperatures cool, bass become increasingly focused on baitfish as they prepare for their annual migration. Bunker, mullet, sand eels and other baits attract bass along the beaches, inlets and nearshore waters.
Boat anglers can target October stripers in a few ways. Bait fisherman can stuff their livewells with bunker with a few throws of a cast net or snag bunker with weighted trebles. Traditional snag and drop had been one of the most effective methods in past years. With pressure on the fishery, regulations in place in New York do not allow dead or live bait to be used on any hook other than a circle hook when targeting stripers. So have a rod set up with a circle hook rig to either flat line a snagged bunker or with a sinker either on a three-way swivel or fish finder. If you’re unable to find bunker on the surface or just below it, artificials or a great choice. They’re also the only choice for many fishermen that enjoy the added challenge. Bunker spoons, diamond jigs, bucktails, soft plastic paddle tails, and surface plugs are very effective.
Finding the bait is often the key. Birds working over the water, surface activity and concentrations of bait on the fish finder can all signal that striped bass are nearby. Inlets can also become prime feeding locations as moving tides push bait through the channels.
Live or fresh bunker is another excellent option, particularly when larger bass are around. Fishing a bunker near rips, structure or areas holding bait can produce some of the biggest striped bass of the fall.
For many Long Island fishermen, October means surfcasting. Cooling water and migrating bait bring striped bass within casting distance of the beach, creating opportunities along the oceanfront and inlets.
Moving water and low-light conditions are often the most productive. First and last light can produce explosive surface action, while nighttime can be particularly productive when bass are feeding on migrating bait.
Surfcasters should carry a selection of plugs and soft plastics. Swimming plugs, darters, pencil poppers and larger soft baits can all produce. When mullet are present, matching the size and profile of the bait can make a major difference. When bunker are moving along the beach, larger plugs designed to imitate them can attract quality fish. When fishing plugs at night favor lighter color plugs on bright moonlit nights and dark ones such as black, purple, and the very popular blurple on dark nights.
The beauty of October surfcasting is that conditions can change quickly. A quiet beach can suddenly come alive when a school of bait moves through. Covering water, watching the surf and paying attention to birds and bait activity can help locate feeding bass.
October can also provide some of the final opportunities of the year for offshore tuna. Bluefin tuna may remain available off Long Island as water temperatures drop, although fish can move quickly as conditions change.
Tuna anglers should be prepared to cover water and look for signs of life. Birds, whales, dolphins, floating debris and concentrations of bait can all indicate productive water. Depending on conditions, tuna may be feeding on the surface or holding deeper.
Trolling or jig and pop are both effective techniques. When tuna are crashing bait on the surface, casting large poppers and sinking stickbaits can produce spectacular strikes. Jigging can be productive when fish are deeper especially this year with an abundance of sand eels, while trolling allows anglers to search large areas when tuna are scattered.
Fall weather deserves serious attention. October can bring strong winds and rapidly changing conditions, so checking the marine forecast before heading offshore is essential.
As the water cools, blackfish, or tautog, become another popular target. These hard-fighting bottom fish favor rocky structure, wrecks, reefs and other areas of hard bottom.
The key is getting the bait close to the structure. Heavy tackle, strong leaders and enough sinker weight or heavy jigs to hold bottom in the current are important. Green crabs and other crab baits are proven choices.
Blackfish are notorious bait thieves, and once hooked they immediately try to reach the rocks. Anglers need to apply steady pressure and turn the fish quickly before it can bury itself in the structure.
October can be an excellent month for blackfish, particularly while water temperatures remain relatively mild.
Black sea bass can also provide quality bottom fishing in October, depending on current regulations and local conditions. These aggressive fish commonly hold around wrecks, reefs and other structure and will readily take bait and jigs.
Light tackle makes sea bass especially enjoyable, although anglers fishing deeper water must account for current and depth. Finding productive structure and positioning the boat correctly can result in steady action.
Because regulations can change, anglers should always check the current New York recreational fishing regulations for seasons, minimum sizes and possession limits before heading out.
October on Long Island’s South Shore is a month of transition, but that transition creates some of the year’s best fishing. Striped bass are moving south with the bait, tuna can still be available offshore, and blackfish and black sea bass provide excellent opportunities on the bottom.
Whether you are standing on the beach with a surf rod, casting from a center console, running offshore for tuna or dropping baits around rocky structure, October offers something for nearly every saltwater angler.
The mornings are cooler, the days are shorter and the weather can be unpredictable, but the rewards are worth it. With fewer boats and anglers on the water and hungry fish preparing for winter, October is a month when Long Island’s South Shore can truly come alive.