Striped bass fishing out of Shinnecock runs from May into November, with the best of it in June and again from late October into November. Boats work Shinnecock Bay, Shinnecock Inlet, the Peconic Bays through the canal locks, and ocean water outside the inlet by trolling. This guide covers when, how far, which structure, and who fishes it.
When striped bass are around Shinnecock
Each window below comes from the boat that reported it. Migration and biology are covered in the striped bass species guide.
- Sea Venture: late May through November, best in June and from late October into November.
- Shinnecock Star: May through November.
- Peace of Mind: catch photos show slot bass into late August.
Spring and June
Shinnecock Star lists bass from May, and Sea Venture starts in late May. June is the first of Sea Venture’s two best windows.
Late summer
Peace of Mind’s catch photos show slot bass into late August.
Late October and November
Sea Venture puts the fall run in late October into November, and both it and Shinnecock Star list bass through November. The coastwide fall picture is in the Northeast striped bass guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide).
Where boats run from Shinnecock
The Shinnecock port page covers the inlet and the run out. Check the official NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height, and period before you run the inlet.
| Water | How you reach it |
|---|---|
| Shinnecock Bay | Fished from the port |
| Shinnecock Inlet | Fished, and the way out to the ocean |
| Peconic Bays | Through the Shinnecock Canal locks |
| Ocean water | Trolling outside the inlet |
Shinnecock Bay
Local boats work the bay for bass.
Shinnecock Inlet
The inlet is fished directly and is also the route to the ocean grounds.
The Peconic Bays through the canal locks
The Peconic Bays are reached through the Shinnecock Canal locks.
Ocean trolling
Charters like Sea Venture mention ocean trolling for bass in the water outside the inlet.
Grounds and structure off Shinnecock
The named structure runs outward from the inlet to the shelf edge.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Distance (nm) |
|---|---|---|
| Shinnecock Reef | 76 to 84 | 2.0 south of Shinnecock Inlet |
| Twelve Mile Reef | 123 to 143 | 12.0 from Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets |
| The Dip | – | – |
| Coimbra | – | – |
| Hudson Canyon | shelf edge | – |
The Chart Contours layer shows the Shinnecock Reef footprint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Shinnecock Reef
Shinnecock Reef sits 2.0 nm south of Shinnecock Inlet in 76 to 84 ft of water. It is the first ocean structure past the inlet.
Twelve Mile Reef
Twelve Mile Reef lies 12.0 nm from Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets in 123 to 143 ft.
The Dip, Coimbra and Hudson Canyon
These are the port’s offshore grounds, the water a canyon specialist like Sea Venture runs to. Hudson Canyon marks the shelf edge. For fishing beyond bass, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
How it is fished and who fishes it
Local bass fishing includes light-tackle trips built around letting kids handle the fish, and four charters list striped bass out of the port.
Light tackle
Peace of Mind fishes light tackle and lets kids handle the fish.
Charters that list striped bass
- Sea Venture "The Canyon Specialist": Capt. Peter Stassi, a 40 ft boat. Lists bass from late May through November and also runs offshore as the canyon specialist.
- Gusto IV Fishing Charters: The boat is Gusto IV. Bottom trips run April through November, and it lists striped bass.
- Shinnecock Star: Lists striped bass and sails May through November. Details are on the Shinnecock Star open boat site.
- Peace of Mind Charters: Capt. Jim Delano, a 28 ft Rampage Sportfish. Fishes light tackle and lets kids handle the fish, and catch photos show slot bass into late August.
FAQ about striped bass fishing out of Shinnecock
When is the best time for striped bass at Shinnecock?
Sea Venture names June and late October into November as the best windows. Its season runs late May through November.
How far is Shinnecock Reef from the inlet?
Shinnecock Reef sits 2.0 nm south of Shinnecock Inlet in 76 to 84 ft.
How deep is Twelve Mile Reef?
Twelve Mile Reef lies 12.0 nm from Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets in 123 to 143 ft.
Can you reach the Peconic Bays from Shinnecock?
Yes, through the Shinnecock Canal locks.
Do slot bass stay through summer?
Peace of Mind’s catch photos show slot bass into late August.
Which charters fish for stripers with kids?
Peace of Mind Charters, Capt. Jim Delano, fishes light tackle and lets kids handle the fish.
