Welcome Back, Fish Beware
By Captain Al

Welcome back for another season on Fire Island and the 50th anniversary of The Fire Island News. It is my pleasure to once again be writing the fishing report and keeping you all up to date on what is happening on the fishing scene.

It was a strange spring, with April Showers arriving in May. The temperatures have been on the cool side and the water temperatures are also a little chilly for this time of year. It has not put a damper on the fishing, however, and it is now excellent.

The fishing regulations have changed this year for several species, although the two that will have a major impact on the local fishing scene will be changes to the flounder and fluke regulations. Flounder season has been cut back significantly and will close for the year on May 30, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches and a ten fish per person bag limit. Fluke season will run from May 6 to September 12 with a minimum size limit of 18 inches and a four fish per person bag limit.

Flounder fishing has been excellent in the Sore Thumb cove. At this time the incoming water seems to be producing best. Sandworms or bloodworms are working well. Chumming with ground-up clam is a must.

Fluke fishing got off to a pretty good start, with lots of fish in the inlet and bay areas but not many keepers with the 18-inch minimum. The new regulations mean that you will have to fish long and hard to come home with a meal if you are going to fish in the bay. Ocean fishing is going to be the only way to insure that you will get some nice fillets for the dinner table. There has been a pretty good bite of large fluke outside the inlet when weather permits and the seas are calm. It also means a hefty fuel bill to make the run to the ocean.

Fuel prices at the marinas are over $4 a gallon and will probably rise even higher. The cost of fuel is really hurting the marine industry and I have noticed fewer boats on the water. Anyone that can is switching over to fuel-efficient engines, which can save a tremendous amount of money over the course of the season.

Striped bass fishing is excellent as I write this. The big bass moved in on May 9. Since that time my charters have caught over a hundred of these big bass up to 38 pounds. Most have been caught on live bait with bunker producing best but we have also had many fish on plugs. As always, almost all have been released to fight again with a few being kept for fine dining.

Clam chumming is also producing great striped bass catches at the Robert Moses Bridge and the rips at the inlet. Plugging with light tackle is giving lots of striped bass in the backbay areas.

Weakfishing is slow but there are some very large fish to be caught. The average size is about 11 pounds, with fish up to 15 pounds. Ocean Beach and Range Channel are producing best.

Fishing Tip of the Week

High visibility fishing lines (Hi-Vis Line in the industry) add a new dimension to precise fishing. These fluorescent lines allow you to easily see your line and its entry point into the water while you are fishing. This allows you to keep track of your line and know if it is crossing someone else’s or in what direction the fish you are fighting is moving. If you are casting and working an artificial lure or plug you will be able to gauge its position relative to the structure or school of fish you are targeting.

When using these lines I always add a length of low-vis fluorocarbon leader material so that wary fish will not see the line. I am now using Suffix Elite Hi-Vis yellow or orange line. I use 12 line on my light spinners, 20 line on my heavy spinners and 25 on my conventional bass outfits.

Fishing Facts of the Week

Cruise ships can produce 30,000 gallons of sewage and 19 tons of garbage each day.

The Atlantic bluefin tuna population has declined by more than 80% since the 1970’s.

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Captail Al Lorenzetti

Skimmer Fishing Charters

(631) 661-2112

www.skimmeroutdoors.com