Sound Shore bass scatter as southwest winds churn the shallows dirty

Last week's southwest winds put a hurt on the Sound shore fishing. Five straight days of 15-20 knots out of the southwest churned the shallows into chocolate milk from Mattituck clear to Orient. Water temps held steady around 68 degrees, but visibility dropped to maybe two feet in the wash. The full moon on June 21st brought big spring tides early in the week, but by Thursday the bass had pushed off the beach structure into deeper, cleaner water. I watched it happen — one day they were stacked on the rocks at Horton Point, next day they were gone.

This week we're looking at a waning moon heading toward last quarter on July 5th, which means the tides are backing down into the neap range. That's actually good news for our situation. Smaller tides mean less water movement, less stirring of the bottom, and a chance for the inshore water to settle and clear. Wind forecast shows northwest to northeast through the weekend — that'll help clean things up and push the warmer surface water back toward shore. The bass didn't disappear, they just moved to where they could see their dinner.

The fishing this week has been a lesson in adapting to conditions. The guys who stayed shallow and kept pounding the usual rocks got humbled. The ones who moved deeper and adjusted their tactics put fish in the cooler. I've been working 25 to 35 feet of water off the points, places where the bottom drops quick and the water stays cleaner. Rocky Point to Orient has been the most consistent stretch — the deeper water there didn't get as churned up.

Stripers are scattered but they're feeding. Most of the fish I'm seeing are running 24 to 32 inches, with the occasional keeper in the mix. They're not stacked up like they were two weeks ago, but they're around. Best bite has been early morning on the incoming tide, first two hours of light. White and chartreuse bucktails with 5-inch Gulp Swimming Mullets have been the most consistent producers. Drag them slow along the bottom in that 25 to 35-foot zone. The fish are hugging structure but they're not tight to it — they're sitting in the cleaner water just off the rocks and points.

Porgy fishing has actually picked up as the bass bite scattered. The deeper water off Orient Point has been holding nice fish — some real doorknobs in the 2 to 3-pound range. High-low rigs with small hooks, squid strips and sandworms. The key is finding the hard bottom in 30 to 40 feet. The porgy don't mind the stirred-up water as much as the bass do.

Bluefish have been sporadic but when you find them, they're aggressive. Small schools pushing bait in the deeper water off the points. They're hitting metal — small spoons and jigs worked fast through the water column. Most of the blues are running 3 to 8 pounds, perfect eating size if you bleed them quick and get them on ice.

Fluke action has been steady in the deeper water between Rocky Point and Orient. Nothing huge — most fish running 16 to 20 inches with the occasional keeper. Bucktail and Gulp combo again, but worked differently than for the bass. Lift and drop presentation, keeping contact with the bottom. White, pink, and chartreuse have all produced.

Looking ahead, I'm watching the wind forecast closely. If we get a few days of light northwest winds like they're calling for, the water should start clearing by midweek. That'll bring the bass back to the shallower structure — the rocks at Horton Point, the rips off Mattituck Inlet, the boulder fields between Rocky Point and Orient. The waning moon means the tides won't be as aggressive, which should help the water settle faster. I'd expect the fishing to improve significantly by the weekend if Mother Nature cooperates. Until then, stay deep, stay patient, and adjust your tactics to the conditions the fish are dealing with.