Fresh Striped Bass Arrive, Topwater Bite Explodes & Offshore Action Continues

Fresh Striped Bass Keep the Bite Going Strong

Fresh striped bass arrived at The Race midweek, keeping bass fishing fantastic throughout Eastern Long Island Sound. Wednesday and Thursday produced the best topwater action of the season, with anglers reporting explosive strikes during low-light conditions.

Jigging, trolling, and casting have all been productive during different phases of the tide at The Race. Many anglers have been especially successful three-way rigging:

• Storm WildEye Swim Shads
• Tsunami Pro Holographic Paddle Tails
• Tsunami Sand Eels

The same pattern continues at Hatchetts Reef, Black Point, Bartletts Reef, Fishers Island, and the Watch Hill Reefs, where sunrise and sunset remain the most productive times to fish.

Best Striped Bass Lures and Baits

Top-producing striped bass offerings this week include:

• Storm WildEye Swim Shads
• Tsunami Pro Holographic Paddle Tails
• Tsunami Sand Eels
• Tsunami Tidal Pro 6-inch
• Heddon Super Spook
• Gravity Tackle 6-inch Sand Eel
• Fish Snax Albie Snax
• Live Eels

As summer continues, live eeling around sunset remains one of the best ways to target a true trophy-sized striped bass.

Fluke Fishing Remains Challenging

Fluke fishing continues to test anglers' patience, with many customers reporting several fish just short of the keeper mark from local waters to Montauk.

One customer found a concentration of near-keeper fluke in approximately 40 feet of water, although the bite only lasted for a drift or two.

Historically, the first three weeks of August have produced some of the best fluke fishing in 80 feet of water, making deeper structure worth targeting as the season progresses.

Best Fluke Baits and Techniques

The most productive fluke presentations continue to be:

• Squid
• Berkley Gulp!
• Light bucktails

Using the lightest bucktail possible while maintaining bottom contact continues to produce the best results.

Black Sea Bass Fishing Report

Black sea bass fishing remains slow locally, although anglers are beginning to report more keeper-sized fish throughout the week—a promising sign as the season progresses.

Bait Report

Large amounts of bait remain throughout the region, helping fuel the excellent inshore fishing.

Current bait includes:

• Squid
• Mackerel
• Bunker
• Sand eels

Of these, sand eels continue to be the dominant forage.

Offshore Fishing Report

Good water conditions and favorable weather windows are forecast this week, creating excellent opportunities to target your favorite pelagic species.

Fishing from Fishtails to the East Atlantis Canyon and West Atlantis Canyon continues to produce solid action.

Closer to shore, fish have been present around the Ranger Wreck, while boats fishing Haabs and Butterfish Hole have reported mixed results.

Offshore Techniques

Anglers are finding success using a variety of techniques, including:

• Trolling bars
• Jigging
• Topwater lure

Before heading offshore, stop by or give JB Tackle a call for the latest fishing reports, tackle recommendations, and up-to-date offshore conditions.

Upcoming Event: 25th Annual Tri-State Canyon Shootout

The 25th Annual Tri-State Canyon Shootout returns to Block Island from July 20-23, 2026, bringing together anglers from across the Northeast for one of the region's premier offshore fishing tournaments.

Known for its competitive fishing, impressive payouts, and commitment to conservation, the tournament continues to grow every year. Last year's event welcomed more than 100 boats and awarded over $1.5 million in prize payouts.

Whether you're competing or following the action, it's one of the biggest offshore fishing events of the season.