'2025 Winter Fishing Update • Live Shiners Now In Stock • A little nostalgia From The 1980's photo archives • Recipe: Seafood Gumbo

Live Shiners Now Available

On the Freshwater side of things you have a few more options. You can try your luck at Connetquot River State Park  for fly fishing. Patchogue locals are reporting consistent catches of Rainbow and Brook trout using bead headed Nymphs and Wolly Buggers. Also on the warmer days they are still doing some dry fly fishing.

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Another type of local and easy fishing would be for White Perch. All the local tidal creeks have fish in them. The key to finding them is to fish different tides and figure out when they will show up at certain areas. I like to fish the end of the incoming and the beginning of the outgoing. Some "go to baits" for white Perch are a piece of nightcrawlers on a jig head or even a grass shrimp on a jig head (if you can find them with a net.) Grass shrimp like to hangout along docks.  Another good method to catch white perch is using small soft plastic grubs on a jig head. Ill carry 1/16oz and 1/8oz; they'll do fine in most conditions. For rod and reel, use any ultralight setup with 4lb test line.

One of our most overlooked recourses is our lakes and the species that live within them such as the waleye. Waleye are a unique freshwater species that are found across the United States and are a great source of both food and fun. In Lake ronkonkoma Waleye are a popular games species and can be found in both quantity and quality. Waleye we’re introduced in to the lake many years ago in order to combat the over population of white perch within the lake and ever since their numbers have increased making them a great alternative for any angler during the winter months when saltwater fishing is lack luster.

Waleye are a predatory fish and can be caught on most popular bass fishing lures such as rapalas and senkos, while live bait such as shiners are an excellent alternative. When using a lure like a senko it is most effective with a slow retrieve while letting the bait bounce off the bottom. When using a rapala the most preferred method is a steady retrieve at a constant speed. With live bait simply cast out and the fish do all the work but keep in mind it is important to check the bait from time to time to ensure it is still alive.The best time to target Waleye is during the cooler months at night due to this fishies great eyesight and predatory ability.

The lake of the week is Lake Ronkonkoma. Lake “ronk” is located in ronkonkama off of portion road and is our largest lake on the island . This lake provides some unique opportunities to catch species not common in most of our lakes including Waleye , white perch and small mouth bass. The catch Waleye the best way would be to fish at night using lures like senkos, rapalas and swim shads. To catch small mouth you can use the same methods that you would use for large mouth bass like crank baits and bass assassins. This lake still has all other game fish like large mouth and yellow perch. Since this lake is so large it can be difficult to fish but there is plenty of public access with a county park on the east side of the lake. There is also a town of islip boat ramp on the east side, but remember only electric motors can be used on this lake.

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If you have some frozen fish from last summer sitting in the back of your freezer, then maybe this winter you can give some of Ron's Recipes a try!

Recipe: Seafood Gumbo

In a large pot stir together 1 cup of flour with 1 cup of canola oil. Use a wooden spoon when stirring so you dont damage the finish on the pot. Cook over a high heat stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook for another 8-10 minutes while stirring. Add in 2 large chopped yellow onions, 3 stalks of chopped celery, 1 chopped large green pepper and 1 cup of chopped green onions. Cook and stir for another 5 minutes then add 4 cups of chicken broth, 8 cups of water, 4 cups of sliced ocra, 2 tablespoons of paprika, 2 teaspoons of oregeno, 2 tablespoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Bring the entire mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for another 10 minutes while covered. Add in 1 lb. of cleaned peeled and deveined medium raw shrimp (no tails), 2 lbs of small bay scallops, 1 lb. of cooked andouille sausage cut into 1 inch pieces and 12 little neck clams (clean the shells before using). Add in 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and simmer until the clams open. Serve over white rice with hot sauce (optional). 

When preparing this recipe its a good idea to pre-cut all of the onions, peppers, and celery. Have the shrimp and clams cleaned, the sausage cut up and all of the other ingredients out and ready to go. The rice can be cooked in a seperate pot when you have added the seafood to the gumbo and are waiting for the clams to open.

Just a reminder. All anglers 16yrs and older are required to register for saltwater fishing or purchase a license for freshwater fishing in New York State.

You need to register before saltwater fishing. It's easy and it's FREE for NYS residents and all visitors.  To fish our local lakes and ponds, a Freshwater License is required. Basically, a NYS resident, Freshwater License, is available to purchase for a days fishing ($5.00) a week ($12.00) or a season (one year from date of purchase for $25.00.-Senior [70 or older] $5.00. )  Additional discounts are available for active military, disabled vets and more...... Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing Licenses are also available for a fee from $10.00-$50.00. 

Stop down at  J & J Sports  and we'll issue you a licenses or marine registry. To purchase a license or register  online- click HERE.   There's nothing worse than getting a ticket just because you went fishing. Have a smart phone? Here's an idea:

It's a good idea to "snap a shot" of your license so it's always with you in case of loss or its destroyed.

Get Your Sporting Licenses or Register for Marine Fishing
Buy your sporting license online or
By Phone: 1-866-933-2257

Send your reports, photos or your favorite fish recipe to: REPORTS@JJSPORTSFISHING.COM 

Don't forget to include, names, location and details (when possible: lures or bait used, tides, etc….) comments or questions are welcome. Call (631) 654-2311