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.

They fished the bottoms of the Long Island Sound approximately 100-200 yards off of Cranes Neck for several hours. After the anchor was dropped, a few keeper porgies were picked up on squid but the lions share was picked up on clam bellies using Fin Strike Porgie Rigs. Between 4 anglers, 35 fish were brought aboard which filled the cooler. There were several scup in the 16 inch range with the largest being 18 inches. They advise that the action was hot on the inside to the west of Cranes Neck where a black sea bass was hooked but did not make the boat. There was a party foul issued but it was said to be a “big fish.” Although the action was hot on the inside, not many keepers were brought on board.

Their tip was using a chum bucket on the bottom. Many boats were out and the action did not seem as consistent according to the report. They feel this is what yielded them 35 scup. Remember, the legal limit aboard a non licensed charters is 10 per person. All fish must be at least 10.5 inches long.

Please keep forwarding your North Shore fishing reports. We’d love to hear from more Long Island Sound anglers.