Fluke: OK in Bay, Better in the Ocean
By Captain Al Lorenzetti

Fishing for the period from August 8 to 21 has been very good. There is a good mix of fish to catch and the weather has been excellent.

Fluke fishing is still strong with a couple of slow days on occasion but still pretty solid fishing in the ocean. It was very good fishing southwest of the inlet in the beginning of the month but that seems to have been played out. Southeast of Fire Island Inlet now seems to be most productive. The offshore reef area is good and I have had some very good days fishing south of Ocean Beach. On the 21st, I fished with Jan Stollerman and his buddies Rich and Ken. We fished that area and had seven keeper fluke up to seven pounds on spearing and squid bait.

Fluke fishing in the bay is not too bad, with lots of shorts but a fair amount of keepers.

There are some big weakfish and bluefish being caught on live snappers and medium sized bunker. This action is taking place from the Sore Thumb to the Lighthouse along the South Beach. No specific spot is red hot—you just have to drift along until you locate a school of fish.

Striped bass fishing is slow with a couple of fish being taken on live bait and on clams. It is poor fishing right now but in a month or so it should be fantastic.

Bottom fishing is very good with lots of triggerfish, kingfish and porgies. The Sore Thumb pocket is good, as are the channels around West Island.

Bonito have made an appearance in the ocean from the beach on out. These are excellent game with light spinning or fly tackle.

The bay is loaded with bunker of all sizes. I believe it is going to be an excellent bass season come late September. I have not seen this much bait in the bay in 25 years.

Snapper blues and crabs are all over the bay.

Offshore fishing is also very good. I’ve seen a good bite of yellowfin tuna, longfin albacore and the first of the bigeye tuna just starting to show. Mahi are hanging by all the lobster pots in the canyon and around any piece of floating driftwood. Shark fishing is also pretty good.

Since this is the last issue for the year, I thought I would mention that I will be fishing until mid-November and posting reports on Skimmeroutdoors.com. Check out the reports section to keep up on the latest fishing news.

Have a wonderful fall and winter and I will be back next spring.

Fishing Tip of the Week

If you use top-notch products your fishing success and enjoyment will be maximized. Lots of thought and research goes into making a quality fishing product and experts in the field have done a lot of homework in developing this fishing gear and related products. I would like to mention my sponsors and must say they are some of the best. Mercury Marine and their super engines in the Verado and OptiMax series, Lowrance electronics for GPS and Sonar, Rogue Fishing Rods, Sufix Fishing Line, Shimano and Penn reels, Leatherman tools and Lee Fischer Cast Nets. These manufacturers produce superior products and I stand behind them all the way.

Fishing Facts of the Week

Gross value per kilogram of commercially caught striped marlin in NSW Australia: $6.

Value of recreationally caught striped marlin: $46.45.

Value of striped marlin released by recreational anglers each year: $44,500,000.

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Captain Al Lorenzetti

Skimmer Fishing Charters

(631) 661-2112

www.skimmeroutdoors.com.