Striped bass fishing out of Freeport runs April through December, and the trophy fish arrive in late September and October. Boats fish four places, from inside to outside: the bridges such as the Meadowbrook, just outside Jones Inlet, the reefs south of the beaches, and the ocean beaches from Rockaway to Shinnecock. This guide covers when, where, what depth, how far, and how locals fish it. Our Freeport port page has water and conditions data. We can’t promise fish, but we can help you decide where to look.
When striped bass are around Freeport
The season is long and the best window is short. For the run up and down the coast, see the Northeast striped bass picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
| Window | What the local sources say |
|---|---|
| April through December | Season here, per Carolann P |
| Late September and October | Trophy fish |
| Fall bass trips | Capt. Lou Fleet runs dedicated trips |
The season
Carolann P puts the season at April through December, nine months during which the South Shore bridges, inlet, and reefs each come into play at different points.
The fall trophy window
Trophy fish show up in late September and October. Capt. Lou Fleet runs dedicated fall bass trips; the schedule is in the charter section below. The start of the fall run varies from year to year, and Sea Rogue has called it an early start.
Where Freeport boats run
The places below run from inside to outside, each listed with the method its source ties to it.
| Place | Source | Method tied to it |
|---|---|---|
| Bridges such as the Meadowbrook | Freeport Bait and Tackle | Shads and bucktails |
| Bridges | Bay Park Fishing Station, Oceanside | Bunker and eels |
| Just outside Jones Inlet | Sea Rogue | Live bait, jigs, topwater |
| Beaches, Rockaway to Shinnecock | Capitol Tackle | None attributed |
The Meadowbrook and other bridges
Freeport Bait and Tackle points to the bridges, such as the Meadowbrook, and pairs them with shads and bucktails. Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reports bunker and eels at the bridges.
Just outside Jones Inlet
Sea Rogue fishes just outside Jones Inlet with live bait, jigs, and topwater.
Rockaway to Shinnecock beaches
Capitol Tackle reports bass along the ocean beaches from Rockaway to Shinnecock. Local West End fishing reports carry shop and captain accounts for the port. The reefs sit between the inlet and the open beach, and they come next.
Reefs and structure near Freeport
Four named grounds sit south of the beaches. Rockaway Reef is the shallow one, at 32 to 40 ft. Hempstead, Atlantic Beach, and Fishing Line fall in the 50 to 72 ft band. Distances run about 3 nautical miles and are measured south of each beach, not from the inlet. The state artificial reef locations list the official reef positions.
| Ground | Depth | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Hempstead Reef (Hempstead Town Reef) | 50-72 ft | 3.3 nautical miles south of Jones Beach State Park |
| Atlantic Beach Reef (Fran S tug) | 55-64 ft | 3.0 nautical miles south of Atlantic Beach |
| Fishing Line (McAllister Grounds) Reef | 50-53 ft | 2.8 nautical miles south of Long Beach |
| Rockaway Reef | 32-40 ft |
Depths are ranges across each reef, not a single sounding. Chart Contours in the app helps read relief on these reefs. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Hempstead Reef
Hempstead Reef, also called Hempstead Town Reef, lies 3.3 nautical miles south of Jones Beach State Park at 50 to 72 ft. It has the widest depth range of the four.
Atlantic Beach Reef and the Fran S
Atlantic Beach Reef lies at 55 to 64 ft, 3.0 nautical miles south of Atlantic Beach. The Fran S, a tug, sits on this reef as a named piece of structure.
Fishing Line (McAllister Grounds) Reef
Fishing Line is 2.8 nautical miles south of Long Beach at 50 to 53 ft. It has the narrowest depth range of the four and is the closest to shore of the listed positions.
Rockaway Reef
Rockaway Reef, at 32 to 40 ft, is the shallowest of the four.
How striped bass are fished out of Freeport
Each method below is tied to the shop or captain who reports it. General technique and biology are in our striped bass guide.
- Live bait and eels: bridges and just outside Jones Inlet
- Trolling: umbrella shads, mojos, and spoons
- Jigs, shads, and bucktails: bridges and the inlet
- Topwater: just outside Jones Inlet
Live bait and eels
Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reports bunker and eels at the bridges. Sea Rogue fishes live bait just outside Jones Inlet.
Trolling
Freeport Bait and Tackle lists trolling umbrella shads, mojos, and spoons, the open-water method on the list.
Jigs, shads, and bucktails
Freeport Bait and Tackle reports shads and bucktails, tied to the bridges. Sea Rogue reports jigs outside Jones Inlet.
Topwater
Sea Rogue fishes topwater just outside Jones Inlet.
Who fishes for striped bass out of Freeport
These Freeport charters list striped bass:
- Capt. Lou Fleet: fall bass trips sail 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Freeport Charter Boats: Sorry Charlie (35 ft custom), Freeport Gem, Beach Princess (pontoon).
- Sea Rogue Charters: Captain Bob Schmitt.
- Carolann P Fishing Charters: Captain Ray Pasieka, boat Christine P, 31 ft.
- Corazon Fishing Charters: 35 Duffy, Capt. Doug Toback.
- Gina Ann Charters: Gina Ann, 38 Holland, up to 6 anglers, cruises at 17 knots.
FAQ about striped bass fishing out of Freeport
When is the best time for big striped bass out of Freeport?
Trophy fish come in late September and October, inside an April through December season, per Carolann P. The start of the fall run varies, and Sea Rogue has called it an early start.
How far out are the reefs near Freeport?
Fishing Line is 2.8 nautical miles south of Long Beach. Atlantic Beach Reef is 3.0 south of Atlantic Beach, and Hempstead Reef is 3.3 south of Jones Beach State Park. Rockaway Reef is the shallow option at 32 to 40 ft.
Do the bridges hold bass?
Freeport Bait and Tackle points to bridges such as the Meadowbrook, with shads and bucktails. Bay Park Fishing Station in Oceanside reports bunker and eels at the bridges.
What do Freeport anglers troll for striped bass?
Freeport Bait and Tackle lists umbrella shads, mojos, and spoons.
Which Freeport charters target striped bass?
Capt. Lou Fleet, Freeport Charter Boats, Sea Rogue Charters, Carolann P Fishing Charters, Corazon Fishing Charters, and Gina Ann Charters. Capt. Lou Fleet’s fall bass trips sail 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on five days a week.
Where is the background on other species and gamefish?
Other coastal and offshore species are covered in our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
