East End Fishing Report: September 25, 2026 — Wind Flips North, Albies On, Bass Trickling Back
The Lay of the Land
The equinox came and went, and you don't need a calendar to feel it — the wind's swung around to the northwest, north, and lately a gusty, snotty northeast. Warm southerlies are done for the year. A nor'easter is grinding through as we write this, so boats may sit tied up for a day or two. That's fine. A hard push of wind and water is exactly what kicks the fall run into gear, and there's a ton of bait in the water right now. Watch the beaches, inlets, and rips once it settles.
What's Biting
False Albacore
False albacore have moved in and are scattered around the East End. They first showed in the Accabonac area right on schedule and are working the beaches now. Light-tackle crowd, this is your window — screaming drags and short leaders. With any luck they hang into late October depending on weather.
Striped Bass
The news locals want: striped bass are starting to reappear. Some larger fish have pushed into the bays and harbors, and there are scattered schoolies in the ocean wash. Nobody's calling it a blitz yet — the stock's been thin for a while — but the pieces are lining up. If you see birds working and bait getting crushed, get a plug in the water.
Bluefish
Bluefish are the workhorse right now, roaming the ocean beaches and thick from Montauk all the way up to Bostwick Point at the north end of Gardiner's Island. Cocktails and bigger choppers both around. Great fall fun on metal and poppers.
Fluke, Porgies & Sea Bass
Fluke are on their way out, sliding toward the shelf for winter, but there are still fish to be had — some coming from the Louse Point area and off the ocean side. Porgy fishing remains good in the bays. Sea bass are schooling up ahead of their migration and running bigger, with better fish on the north side of Plum Island.
Snappers & Stragglers
Snappers are nice-sized now and fishing has been great with all the bait around — a good bet for getting kids on fish. A few late weakfish and blowfish are hanging to the west in the Peconics, but the blustery weather has them packing up.
Offshore
When the weather cooperates, the canyon and mid-range bite has been solid. The Viking Star out of Montauk came back from a 60-hour run with plenty of yellowfin to 80 pounds — trolling, chunking, jigging, and on top-water poppers — along with a pile of mahi and four swordfish. Mahi have been unusually close this season, showing at the windmills southeast of Block Island and within sight of the Lighthouse. Bonito, scarce the last few years, have been landed regularly of late.
Blackfish Countdown
Blackfish anglers are chomping at the bit. The tautog season opens Oct. 11 in Long Island Sound (three-fish limit) and Oct. 15 in the rest of New York waters (four fish), with a 16-inch minimum in both. Get your green crabs lined up — Tight Lines has plenty in stock — and it's shaping up to be a good opener.
Tournament & Notes
The 2026 Fred Golofaro Memorial Montauk Classic runs noon Oct. 2 to noon Oct. 4 — surf-only, from the westernmost tip of Napeague State Park east, all points accessible on foot or by wading. Hither Hills is the official weigh-in. Bass is catch-photo-release this year, with prizes for the three longest released stripers and three biggest blues. Entry is $20; sign-up deadline is today, Sept. 25.
New York's next Free Fishing Day lands Sept. 26 — no license needed, good excuse to get someone new out on the water.
One less-fun note from the dock: fuel prices have spiked hard, with diesel running north of $8 a gallon at some clubs. Don't be shocked to see fuel surcharges creep onto charter and party-boat fares before long.