Herring keep the striper action heavy

Just when you were afraid that the fantastic run of fall stripers might be due to lose some steam, herring have swarmed onto the scene to reinforce the sand eels that have held the fancy of linesiders throughout the fall. Better still, the new arrivals have wrapped themselves around Long Island from Montauk, down the South Shore, and into the mid-reaches of Long Island Sound between Huntington and Mount Sinai.

The big, silvery baitfish showed off Montauk and Orient points two weeks ago but recently have invaded the waters off Shinnecock Inlet, Cherry Grove, Jones Inlet, and just west of the Eaton's Neck Triangle in Long Island Sound.

At each location the bass action has exploded on diamond jigs, which can be used to impersonate either herring or sand eels. Out at Montauk and Orient, anglers also have enjoyed catching the herring on Sabiki Rigs and then live-lining in the rips. Generally speaking, both the ocean and Long Island Sound action has been best in 40- to 55-foot depths, where surface temperatures remain from 52 to 54 degrees.

Although boaters continue to rack up huge scores with stripers ranging from shorts to about 20 pounds, surf catches have slipped somewhat in recent days. There are still some good innings to be had along the South Shore beaches on green AVA 17 and AVA 27 diamond jigs, but reliable action is now mostly regulated to the early morning hours. To improve your odds of pulling a few keepers from amongst the schoolies, try tossing a Super Strike needle fish.

The arrival of herring should keep local bass action fueled for at least another week or two, barring any severe storms or radical cold spells. With a little luck, the big baitfish might even slide tighter to the beaches during the next few days and refresh the action for surfcasters. Striper season remains officially open until Dec. 15, but get on them quickly because the fat lady can sometimes stretch her vocal cords on short notice once Thanksgiving weekend has passed.

While it is easy to get excited about striper fishing right now, blackfish and sea bass still are providing plenty of action for sinker bouncers. Long Island Sound anglers have done well out of Huntington off the LIPA stacks and around Eaton's Neck on Asian and green crabs in 50- to 60-foot depths.

On the ocean side, 65- to 80-foot depths have been best for both blackfish and sea bass off Montauk, Shinnecock and southeast of Jones Inlet. Some of the open boats sailing full-day trips for blackfish and sea bass will make a pass or two over the stripers on the way back to port. The way things are set up right now, that can make for one great day of fishing fun.

Fishing flea market

If you can wiggle a little bit of free time Saturday it would be well spent attending Long Island's "Original" Fishing Flea Market in Lindenhurst. The show features 125 vendor tables and experts will be available to appraise, and possibly purchase, items of antique fishing gear you bring along. Admission is just $5 and there are door prizes awarded every hour. The show runs from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Lindenhurst Knights of Columbus Hall, 400 South Broadway, Lindenhurst, N.Y.