Weakfish

Weakfish, once a staple in New York waters, still offer a thrilling pursuit near Inlet for those willing to dedicate the time. These delicate fighters favor the shallow bays and estuaries, especially areas with eelgrass beds and tidal creeks. Spring and early summer are typically the best times to target weakfish as they migrate inshore to spawn. They are notoriously finicky, so light tackle and subtle presentations are crucial. Small bucktails, soft plastic swimbaits, and live shrimp are all effective. A local tip: focus your efforts during low-light conditions, such as dawn and dusk, as weakfish are more active then. While boat access is ideal, there are a few shore fishing spots along the bay where you can cast into likely holding areas. Be mindful of the weakfish population's sensitivity to overfishing and practice catch-and-release whenever possible to help preserve this valuable resource.