Saltwater anglers are still enjoying the action despite the late date, and with cod fishing starting to build, fishermen can remain active right through the winter.
Bottom-fishing for blackfish along the South Shore and in the Sound has been surprisingly good this fall season, and with the season closing Dec. 20, now is the time to enjoy.
Striped bass also are hanging on thanks to herring that are in New York’s marine waters. The striper season ends Dec. 15, so many anglers will hang on until the very end, especially since a number of 40 pounders were taken off the East End this past week.
The East End has seen some terrific action this fall with Montauk boats working the bottom off Block Island and finding porgies, sea bass, blackfish and cod.
Boats heading to offshore wrecks are finding decent numbers of cod and a mix of sea bass.
Striped bass are following the shore line, and the herring along the South Shore and anglers are trolling or jigging these fish in 40-50 feet of water.
Boats from Sheepshead Bay and Jamaica Bay are finding bass in Jamaica Bay as well as outside by the Breezy Jetty and off the beaches to Debs Inlet. The local party boats from New York to north Jersey are working 17 Fathoms for healthy catches of blackfish.
There are also blackfish on the Rockaway and Atlantic Beach reefs. Inside Jones Inlet the herring are being caught from most of the local bridges, while the bass are feeding on them at the Inlet.
In the western Sound, anglers are also enjoying the blackfish action and taking fish from 3-5 pounds off Rye and Greenwich in 30-40 feet of water.
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From Jan. 4-8, the Javits Center on Manhattan’s West Side becomes a boat lover’s paradise with the run of the New York Boat Show. It’s a good way to beat the post holiday blues. On-the-water enthusiasts and those just discovering the boating lifestyle can shop and compare boat brands side by side to find competitive deals on everything from luxury motor yachts and sport fishers to performance boats, sailboats, and thousands of marine accessories.
You also can meet and greet the Keszey brothers of Discovery Channel’s hit show, “Swamp Brothers,’’ learn how to get started in boating and make the most of their time on the water at the Welcome to the Water Center, and perfect their paddling skills at the new Paddlepalooza.
ken.moran@nypost.com