I’m sure you all heard about the 81-pound striper caught in Long Island Sound last week, but you may not have heard about the rusted hook embedded in its jaw, likely collected this season as the massive fish made its way north, snapping leaders and dreams in its wake. It definitely got me reminiscing about some of the bass I’ve broken off through my career, and thinking about what the anglers who hooked that fish and lost it must have been thinking. Although that fish has stolen most of the attention this week, and for good reason, fluke fishing has been steadily improving through the bulk of the Island as the increasing presence of snapper bluefish draws summertime doormats inshore.
East End
Montauk remains a consistent oasis for bass fishermen seeking refuge from the inconsistent conditions throughout most of the Island. The cooler pocket of water around the east end continues enticing big numbers of 20- and 30-pound-class fish into hanging around the Montauk rips, happily feeding on the assortment of forage swinging around Montauk Point. The Race also continues to produce. The only slight setback happening in both places is an increasing presence of bluefish. Live-lining and wire-lining parachute jigs by day, and 3-way eeling by night, are providing the bulk of the fish, a pattern which should continue until the surface blitzes begin this fall. The Viking Fleet’s nighttime eeling trips continue to produce bass into the high 30-pound-class nearly every time they leave the dock. With a full moon tide and clouds in the forecast for Saturday night, it’s likely going to be another banner trip for the Fleet.
South Shore
Well, the snappers are just about everywhere now, and, believe it or not, a few weakfish have arrived alongside them in places like Jamaica Bay and the Great South Bay. Due to the one-fish-per-day limit, not many anglers targeting them, and this will hopefully help rebound an already cyclical stock. Fluke fishing has also improved significantly, especially in the keeper-to-short department. Sea bass fishing on the reefs outside of Moriches and Fire Island inlets continues to produce well past expectations. Triggerfish also continue to make a good showing. Bass can still be found anywhere along the south shore, your odds of getting them to bite increases as you move east down the Island.
North Shore
Well, making the your way across the Sound over to the Westbrook, Connecticut area for some 3-way eeling might not be the worst idea in the world, although, on the other hand, it may look more like a parking lot due to the recent publicity. In the Huntington area, Richard from Camp-Site Sports Shop reports, “Snappers, bluefish and bigger fluke moving in.” Surfcasters are finding relatively-consistent action in lowlight conditions with the bluefish and an occasion small bass in places like Sunken Meadow and West Cedar Beach.
Keeping tabs on the western sound, I checked in with Captain Chris of the Island Current Fleet who reports that the “excellent” bottom fishing continues. The bite has moved off into slightly deeper water, from 40 to 55 feet, but has been no less relentless. The daily trips are seeing good numbers of porgies with an occasional keeper-sea bass in the mix. The Current is also running three trips daily, including a 1am to 6am “graveyard” trip, for the ongoing WICC bluefish tournament. Chris noted that the bluefish are feeding on mostly rain bait, spearing and sand eels due to the relative lack of bunker and most of the big fish are being landed at night.
Upstate
It’s derby-season up on Lake Ontario, and Sharon from Narby’s Superette and Tackle in Kent is in the thick of it. “It’s been one of the best seasons in years,” she says, taking a minute out of her relentless schedule to give me the latest reports from the fleet. Downriggers trolling “nuclear green” and “happy meal” colored spoons by Yeck, about 65 feet down in 100- to 200-foot depths, has produced quality mixed bags of salmonoids, including kings up to 42 pounds in recent days. After the water settles down, the fish should be ready and waiting. Good numbers of smaller fish have also been caught on troll in tighter to shore when conditions are dicey.
Best Bets
Drifting the east end at night with live eels on 3-way rigs is one of the most productive mid-summer bass techniques you can employ, and last week’s potential world-record has done nothing but solidify that in my mind. I’ve heard all kinds of weird theories about fishing with live eels over the years, including that “live eels don’t catch big fish.” Well, I guess we can put that one to rest. Fear of redundancy should never get in the way of a fishing forecast, so, for about a fourth-straight-week I’ll recommend heading to Montauk or Orient if you’re looking for that illusive August cow. If you don’t have a boat-in-tow or a buddy waiting at the dock, consider going the headboat route. If you’re looking to stay local this weekend, fluke fishing remains on the upswing along both the north and south shores. It’s not a bad idea to take advantage of this quality flatfish bite, because it won’t be long before the snappers grow into a less-attractive forage option for the fluke. I’ve also heard about some big numbers of blue-claw crabs in the backwaters and canals. Mixed with a little snapper fishing, it’s a great way to introduce the next generation to the sport – tight lines.
Coming Events
Aug 12-21st-Hamptons Offshore Invitational to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters. Guest Tred Barta, recently critically paralyzed, will film an episode for his show during the event. Big festivities, Captains meeting and weigh in at Oaklands Marina, Shinnecock. Marlin, tuna, mako, mahi, bluefish. Info goto www.hamptonoffshore.com- Hosted by Shinnecock Marlin and Tuna Club.
Aug 20-Smith Point Fluke Tournament,START TIME 5 AM ENDS AUGUST 21ST 5 PM WITH THE WEIGH IN AT DICKS BAIT AND TACKLE ON NEIGHBORHOOD RD IN MASTIC BEACH. FOR APPLICATION OR INFO CALL Eric 631-484-6010
Aug 21-21st-Jones Beach Fishing Station Kids Snapper and Blue Claw Tournament. Field 10 West of JB Theater. Call Ed at 631-559-5938 or goto www.jonesbeachfishingstation.com
Aug 22-26 Mid-Atlantic $500,000 Tournament, Cape May, NJ
Part of WORLD BILLFISH SERIES
Prize: Total – $500,000 ($500,000 prize money based on an entry of 125 boats)
http://www.midatlantic500000.com Contact Phone: (609) 8842400