Atlantic Bonito: season, lures and limits

Showing the fish for Long Island, NY.

Fishing region

Season in Long Island

Peak months: Sep.

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Bigelow and Schroeder: bonito visit New England only in summer and fall (pound-net catches July to early October). OTW 2024 bonito run: inshore from late July to early November between Long Island and Cape Cod, varying by year. OTW Long Island reports: bonito trickling in out east in mid to late August 2026, XL bonito in the eastern Sound on October 8, 2026. (Our inference)

Season by region

Long Island	JFMAMJJASOND
North Shore MA	JFMAMJJASOND
Cape Cod	JFMAMJJASOND
Rhode Island	JFMAMJJASOND
Connecticut	JFMAMJJASOND
North Jersey	JFMAMJJASOND
South Jersey	JFMAMJJASOND
Delmarva	JFMAMJJASOND

Where to find them

Out east: Montauk, Shinnecock Inlet, the rocks at Hampton Bays and the eastern Sound, wherever silversides, bay anchovies, peanut bunker or sand eels are being pushed.

Schools that jump while chasing small bait, usually beyond casting range from New York beaches.

What to look for

Fish jumping and slashing through small bait; birds over rainbait.

What to throw

Metal casting jig (diamond, Hopkins or Stingsilver style)1 to 2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Fast steady retrieve for mackerel; let it sink and rip it up for blues; jig near bottom for weakfish.

Epoxy jig3/8 to 1 oz, Small, matched to silversides, bay anchovies and sand eels. Fast steady retrieve through the school.

Silver casting spoon (Clarkspoon or Drone style)1/2 to 1 oz, No. 0 to 1 / 2.5 to 3.5 in. Burn it. Fast, steady, just under the surface.

Swimming minnow plug (Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow style)3/4 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in. Steady medium retrieve with occasional twitches and pauses.

Leader

Common mistakes

Lures too large for the micro bait they are eating
Casting into the middle of a moving school instead of ahead of it

Landing

Net or lift by the tail; they fight hard to the end.

Handling

Sharp small teeth
Treble hooks on jigs while it thrashes

Use pliers to unhook.

Keep or release

A good food fish (Bigelow and Schroeder); mild flesh that can be grilled or eaten raw (On The Water). Bleed and ice quickly.

Recipes for atlantic bonito

Typical: 2 to 4 lb close to shore (Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 2024). Large: Over 10 lb. NY record 13.45 lb (2020).

New York (marine waters) limits

No state limit entry.

Last checked 2026-10-17. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. New York State DEC fishing regulations.

Sources

Bigelow and Schroeder, Fishes of the Gulf of Maine (online text): Atlantic bonito (Official source)
On The Water: The Epic Bonito Run of 2024 (Fee, 2025) (Angler knowledge)
On The Water: Long Island and NYC Fishing Report, August 27, 2026 (Angler knowledge)
On The Water: Long Island and NYC Fishing Report, August 20, 2026 (Angler knowledge)
On The Water: Long Island and NYC Fishing Report, October 8, 2026 (Angler knowledge)
The Fisherman: Too Warm, Or Too Cold? Species' Preferred Temperature Ranges (Aguiar, 2023) (Angler knowledge)
On The Water: Long Island and New York Fishing Report, August 13, 2020 (Angler knowledge)
NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records Program (Official source)

All the fish of Long Island

Atlantic Bonito