Since New York State (NYS)  made it mandatory for all recreational anglers to have a Saltwater Fishing License starting October 1st, 2009, we have been asked repeatedly about the license and where they can be purchased. Unfortunately, Causeway Bait and Tackle does not sell licenses but we have compiled a list of locations around Nassau County and Suffolk County where you may purchase the saltwater license. We have also included where you can buy the license online. Freshwater Fishing Licenses can also be purchased at the locations listed. Please note Causeway Bait and Tackle does not have any affiliation with any of organizations listed below. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a while since we posted a report, and now everything I tell you is contingent upon Hurricane Earl. Bass/Blues Bass fishing has been slow, but should steadily improve as the water cools. Bluefish in the 3 to 4 pound class are abundant in Jones Inlet. They are hammering tins like the Charlie Graves J-7, Crippled Minnow, and Krocodile. Kastmasters and Hopkins will also produce. There are alot of sand eels in the water so the tins should produce bass very soon. Try a bucktail teaser tied on a dropper loop about 18 inches above the lure. Fluke- Fluke season ends at Midnight on Monday, Sept. 6, but some open boats will continue to fish for them with R.S.A. permits. September is the month for big fluke, Fish whole squid or live snappers. Causeway has boxes of 8″ California squid, a perfect bait for this fishing. Sea Bass-Porgies-Prior to the storm, Bottom fishing on local wrecks and the Rockaway Reef was very good. Fish were responding to clams and squid, and many were keeper size. The recreational bag limit for Porgies will increase to 40 fish on Tuesday, September 7, but that is for Open and Charter boats only. Offshore-Offshore fishing for Bluefin Tuna has been outstanding for the past five weeks The Compass Rose is the hot area, and most of the fish have been taken on jigs. Causeway is very well prepared for this fishing! We have Avet HX 5/2 reels in stock as well as the complete line of Shimano Trevala jigging rods. We also have a tremendous assortment of hammered jigs from 6 to 16 ounces. New in the shop this week is a wide selection of “Stingo” Jigs in both gold and silver ranging in size from 5 to 14 ounces. Causeway crew members, Chris and Pete had an epic day last week using these jigs. We also have sardines in stock when the Yellowfin chunking gets going in the Canyon. That’s about it for now. Hopefully conditions will return to normal very soon and we will be into a Fall pattern. Good luck and be safe.

North short bottom fishing has been very active over the last couple of weeks according to the Matura Brothers. Porgies have been making up much of the catch with a few fluke and black sea bass mixed in. Read the rest of this entry »

Crabbing is very strong in the bay at all local piers and dock either with Traps or  Killie Rings with high water being best. From a boat most of the local flats at night will yield huge crab catches. Right now during the moon is a great time to try this. A spot light or lantern and a couples of nets is all that’s needed.

On the Bass scene, the EPIC run is pretty much over as the water temps have risen and the fish have migrated east. The consistent Bass Fishing will be with the “resident” fish that inhabit the bays in the summer. Main techniques are Read the rest of this entry »

The bottom fishing has been great in the same areas as the Ocean Fluke bite, with Sea Bass dominating the catches. The deeper you go the more Read the rest of this entry »

The Fluke Fishing in the bay is still consistent with plenty of fish but few keepers; although this is a disappointment to some it is a joy to others providing consistent action for all. The Fluke are literally spread throughout the bay with the usual hotspots such as Reynolds Channel, Fundy and Merrick Bays, Broad Creek and the Four Corners all holding fish. There does seem to be a pattern of keepers being caught around structure such as Read the rest of this entry »

The HOT news right now is the offshore trolling bite that is going on, starting at about 25 miles offshore. There is a mix of Bluefin Tuna an occasional Yellowfin and Mahi Mahi. Most of it seems to be to the south and east of Jones and Fire island inlets. Position yourself to start fishing at first light around the Read the rest of this entry »

On Wednesday July 22nd Causeway Bait and Tackle held a fishing seminar with LuHi’s summer fishing program at our Wantagh store. Some of the Causeway Crew went over basic fishing techniques as well as differences in baits and lures and the application of both. There was also a question and answer session that addressed and questions the kids had,  some absolutely wonderful questions were asked which really showed how well designed the summer fishing program at LuHi is. We had two groups of kids one started at the store for the seminar while one started at a local pier for some summertime crabbing and put there know-how to good use, after about and hour and some lunch the groups switched and the learning process and application process started over again. The Causeway Crew believes that it is very important to get the youth involved in fishing and the outdoors in general and we had a great time instructing some future anglers and look forward    to doing it again in the future!

The bass fishing continues in the ocean both east and west of Jones Inlet. It’s just a matter of finding the right pod of bunker. Slammer blues up to 15lbs are now in the mix as well. From the beach, action has picked up as well. Keeper bass have been taken from Field 6 on fresh bunker, and there is good bluefish action at the Inlet.

Despite the high temperatures, fishing remains very good on all fronts. FLUKE fishing is very consistent in the bay, although it is difficult to get a keeper. Bucktailing with a Spro bucktail and piece of 4″ Gulp mullet in white or chartreuse is the way to go. Ocean fluking has improved markedly in the last few days. Cholera, and both reefs have yielded keepers up to 6lbs. This is bait fishing with whole California squid and Peruvian smelts.