November Boating and Fishing in the Northeast: Tips, Spots, and Tactics

While many boaters have already put their vessels away for the season, November still offers excellent opportunities for those willing to wait for calm weather. The trick is being ready: late-season fishing often comes in short windows between fall storms. When the forecast clears, the anglers who are rigged and prepared on short notice are the ones who reap the rewards.

Where to Head

Along the Northeast coast—from New Jersey up through New England—boaters regularly launch into productive November waters. Close to many ramps and marinas you can begin casting immediately. Norwalk, Conn., for example, and the Jersey jetty fronts, Point Judith in Rhode Island, and the rocky corners of Martha’s Vineyard all hold late-season fish. The rocky bottom inside Fishers Island Sound and the entrances to Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay remain reliable for fall blackfish, some exceeding 15 pounds.

Boaters from Plymouth, Mass., can check Gurnet Point or troll north for November mackerel, or run out to Wildcat Knoll to jig for jumbo pollock. From Boston and other ports, haddock grounds east of Stellwagen Bank are a popular target when cod seasons are closed, offering a cooler full of tasty fish for dinner and for the freezer.

In Long Island Sound, after working near the Norwalk Islands, drift toward the middle of the Sound where birds often mark schools of bass and bluefish moving west. A diamond jig dropped and retrieved quickly can trigger fast strikes. New Jersey anglers can target the rocky bottoms off Long Branch and Sea Bright to troll for migrating bass and bluefish or switch to bottom fishing on artificial reefs from Sandy Hook to Cape May.

Block Island and the old wrecks south of Shinnecock and farther east have produced winter cod, and party-boat reports sometimes list sizable cod on day trips along the south side of Long Island and into northern New Jersey. Many wreck locations are published on charts and in local dive guides available at marinas and dive shops.

Best Techniques and Tackle

For casting, a simple setup with 4- or 5-inch plastic shads is effective and easy to throw from a small craft. These lures have strong action that entices late-season bass and blues around structure and pilings. On calm days, diamond jigs are excellent for bringing fish from depth to the surface, especially when bait and birds are working.

When targeting bottom species—blackfish, sea bass, haddock, or cod—use appropriate sinkers, stout tackle, and be mindful of boat position over ledges and wrecks. Fast boats can quickly reach wrecks and rocky grounds that used to be long runs, giving anglers more fishing time on the spot.

Notable Locales and Memories

Over the years, November outings have produced memorable catches: trophy stripers cast into pilings and surf, big blackfish in Fishers Island Sound and around Montauk, and generous hauls of haddock east of Stellwagen. The rocky grounds around Frisbees and Cartwright, Southwest Ledge, Apple Tree, Cerberus Shoal, and the north sides of Plum and Gull islands all hold fish well into November, and sometimes beyond.

Some trips reward persistence. A few past outings yielded nothing on early drifts, only to change with a tide or current shift—one memorable afternoon produced two 25-pound stripers on drifts through the Race before sunset. Short evening sessions casting along marina rocks or near river mouths can also produce keepers, especially as many fish collect near river mouths before moving upriver for the cold months.

Safety, Boat Choice, and Timing

Weather in November can change quickly, so choose your boat and trip accordingly. Some productive spots are best reached in a larger, cabin-equipped vessel that offers greater safety and comfort if conditions deteriorate. Open-boat anglers sometimes make the run to Montauk or other nearby grounds, bundling up for the ride, but consider distance, sea state, and your vessel’s capabilities before committing.

Timing matters: many fall trips are weekday affairs, and the angler who rigs the night before and watches the forecast closely will often beat the crowds. Even a brief calm period can produce excellent fishing; be prepared to move quickly when the weather window appears.

On balance, November can be one of the most rewarding months for Northeast anglers who stay ready. Whether you’re casting near rocks and pilings, jigging over wrecks, trolling artificial reefs, or bottom-fishing for haddock and blackfish, the late-season fishery offers a variety of productive options for those willing to brave the chill and keep an eye on the sky.

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue.