Execution Rocks trollers nail 50-pound class bass as Sound water hits prime temps

The Western Sound is absolutely on fire right now, and I'm telling you — this is what we've been waiting for all season. Water temps have climbed into that magic 68-70 degree range, and the big bass are finally showing up where they're supposed to be.

The story of the week is happening at Execution Rocks, where trollers are connecting with legitimate 40-plus-inch stripers on large Mojos worked over the ledge structure. The pattern is textbook: morning starts slow, but when that outgoing tide gets moving in the afternoon, the bite switches on like a light. These aren't your typical schoolie bass — we're talking about fish that'll test your drag and your nerves.

The key is understanding the structure. That ledge at Execution drops from 25 feet to 45 feet in a hurry, and when the current picks up on the ebb, it creates an upwelling that pushes bait right into the strike zone. The bass know this, and they position themselves along that drop-off waiting for an easy meal. Large Mojos — I'm talking 9-inch and bigger — trolled at 3-4 knots are getting crushed when the water starts moving.

But here's the thing about this bite: it's not just about being there. You need to read the current. When it's slack, you might as well be trolling in a bathtub. But once that water starts ripping on the outgoing — usually about two hours after high tide — that's when the magic happens. The bait gets disoriented, the bass move up to feed, and if you're in the right spot with the right presentation, you're going to get bit.

The bunker situation is interesting this year. We're seeing good schools of peanuts stacked up off Matinecock Point, but they're not the massive adult bunker we usually get in late June. These are larger peanuts — almost like they skipped a growth stage. But the bass don't care. They're feeding hard on whatever bait is available, and that includes the spearing that are thick along the dock lines and channel edges.

Speaking of dock fishing, the porgy bite has been solid for anyone looking to put some meat in the cooler. Bloodworms and sandworms around the pilings are producing nice scup, especially in the early morning hours. It's not glamorous fishing, but when the bass bite slows down, it's a reliable way to bend the rod.

Fluke fishing has been more of a grind. The Oyster Bay to Lloyd's Neck drift is producing shorts with the occasional keeper, but you're working for every fish. White Gulp Swimming Mullets on 3/4-ounce bucktails seem to be the most consistent producers, but even then, you're looking at a lot of 16-17 inchers before you find that 19-inch keeper. The fish are there, but they're finicky.

The bluefish have been making appearances too, mostly cocktail-sized fish running the beaches and inlet mouths. They're not the gator blues we'll see later in the summer, but they're aggressive and fun on light tackle. Small metals and poppers are getting the job done when you find them feeding on the surface.

Now, here's what I'm watching for the coming week. We've got a new moon approaching, which means spring tides and stronger currents. That's going to flush more bait out of the back bays and concentrate the feeding fish along the major structure. The Stepping Stones area should light up, especially on the outgoing tide when all that Eastchester Bay water comes pouring through.

Water temperatures are holding steady in the upper 60s to low 70s, which is perfect for this time of year. Any warmer and the fish start to get sluggish in the afternoon heat. Any cooler and they're not as aggressive. Right now, we're in that sweet spot where everything is feeding.

The weekend forecast looks decent — southwest winds in the 10-15 knot range, which will keep the water clean and provide enough chop to break up the surface. That's important when you're trolling, because flat calm conditions make the fish spooky.

If you're planning to get out there, focus on the moving water. Don't waste time during slack tide unless you're targeting fluke. The bass want current, and the current is what brings the bait. Hit the ledges, work the channel edges, and keep those Mojos moving. This bite won't last forever, but right now, it's as good as it gets in the Western Sound.