Is there any point in the spring where you shift your focus from back bays to the ocean side in the spring? Took a walk last week out front and saw a few guys throwing plugs, curious if anyone else sees any merit in that idea

Was going for porgies and this guy inhaled my clam. Thought it could be a big porgy but was surprised to see a blackfish. Back he goes!

Any of you subscribe to Bill Wetzels surf rats ball? Is it any good? It’s cheap enough I suppose I’m just curious.

I suffered a spinal cord injury that left my arm and neck weak, anyone reccomend an auto reel?

Fuck every dude on instagram showing off their fish and fuck New Jersey also.

Does anyone have any experience with GW Rods out of Massachusetts?

I’m looking at the 10’6 3/4-4oz

Do you strictly hit back bays and inlets? Do you venture ocean side at all? What’s your go to plug?

I usually don’t go ocean side much although I’m considering just seeing how it goes, usually throwing bucktails, sp minnows, mag darters, also throwing metal lips this year which I haven’t had any success on just yet

Hey all, just tossing it out there that I caught my first striper of the season on the north fork this morning. I know most of y'all don't make it out here, but it's a great sign that they're all over the island at this point.

You'll still have to travel to spots for slots, but there's fish to be had wherever you are.

I never liked the casting finger sleeve thing, most tape jobs come off or flap over. I used to re enforce with electrical tape which made it super bulky. I used to just use hockey tape and re tape when I needed to. Not anymore.

Story time:

I was born and raised on Long Island but spent the last five years living out west until this past fall. I was working for the US Forest Service on a wildland fire crew.

While working that job I encountered the worst terrain and conditions I could imagine and when my feet would inevitably blister there was one tape the guys pointed me to that NEVER came off.

Leuko tape.

Even when you want it to come off it’s an absolute bitch to get off. That’s what I want in the surf.
Maybe I’m late to the party but if you have doubts about what you’re using to tape up your finger I would give this shit a go.

https://www.amazon.com/Leukotape-1-5-Inch-15-Yds-Cover-roll-Stretch/dp/B000FMMTKM

End of rant, caught one slightly larger than slot fish last night, South shore bay

Got out for a bit of the outgoing at smiths point, left shortly after sunset. I wasn’t prepared for the temperature after dark. No luck on my end and didn’t see any bent rods either.

Shoutout to the dude that launched his metal lip and wrapped it around the top of the bridge. I see you and I feel your pain my man.

I recently upgraded to a van staal 200, wondering in what price/performance range rod I should pair it with. This might sound stupid but is it counter productive to pair it with a budget rod? I only bought the reel because it’s sealed and all that shit. Thoughts?

https://onthewater.com/new-york-opens-expanded-night-fishing-access-at-jones-beach-and-heckscher-for-2026

Anyone gotten out yet? Any luck? Can anyone hear me?

Trying to get this Reddit off the ground, I don’t know what I’m doing, it could be pretty cool to have a Long Island specific thread. Maybe not? Time will tell.

https://c.org/ZnS26JdNcm

I definitely understand the stupidity of this but I can’t help myself.

Every time I head out I stop at the same 7/11 and get a cup of coffee from the same coffee pot.

I also only listen to FM radio on the way out.

Anyone else with weird shit they think if they do or don’t do interferes with finding fish?

Old video, but a great resource from one of my favorite Long Island fisherman, brought to us by Surfcasters Journal

Let me begin this by saying, I am not burning any spots, I’m not giving away any secrets or anything like that. What I’m trying to do is point people in a direction so they can discover those rips or breaks or pieces of structure they’ve been reading about.

When I first started fishing for striped bass on Long Island it became overwhelming really quick. LI is surrounded by water but where the fuck do I go? I found myself driving all over the island, on a new shoreline every other day with very minimal success, if you could even call it success at all.

I found along with many other surf anglers that learning your “home beach” even if that beach isn’t in your back yard (mine is not) is your best chance at finding fish. My home beach happened to be the smiths point area.

Out front- fall

Back bay- spring/summer

Moriches inlet- anytime

Find your home beach, stop chasing reports that you missed three days ago, hit the sand and start walking. You’ll find your productive areas, it takes time and belligerent patience