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South Shore Fishing Reports
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NY 2008 Fluke & Porgy Reg's Now Official

 

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Rich Johnson's Report:

Rockaway Inlet / Sheepshead Bay: Bluefish rule as myriad schools chase bunker and any other attractive baitfish from the ocean to the back bays. Most fish are in the 4 to 5 pound range with an occasional 10 pounder to test your terminal tackle and muscles. Bunker chunks and clam are both working for anglers, although some are using swimming plugs to great effect. A noteworthy by-catch of weakfish to 16 pounds hungry for a bunker chunk enhances the fishing experience in Jamaica Bay. While flounder seemingly have been frightened back into the mud by hordes of blues, striped bass are increasing in number and quality principally in the back bays near JFK Airport with live lining bunker the way to go, though bunker chunks and clam work, too, if you can bypass the blues.

Ocean Eagle V (718-258-4126): Capt. Greg reported Sunday they had an excellent day on the ling as they have been beating up on the ling in what Greg says is SUPERB and as good as you can get right. Monday and Tuesday (5/6) they had good conditions and had the same slaughter type fishing as they continue to see fantastic ling fishing with a few sea bass scattered in with some sea flounder and bluefish to make things interesting. Just stupid super fishing right now! The benefit of the full day Ocean Eagle is you get the full day to fill the bucket with a variety of species! They sail every day at 7 a.m. from Pier 5 in Sheepshead Bay.

Make sure you get down there to visit their beautiful 85 foot fishing machine.. Listen to Capt. Nardiello's Oct. 6th Interview & Tips on Early Fall Blackfishing Here or listen to Capt. Greg Nardiello's Interview On Winter Blackfishing Tips & Technique.

Belt Parkway-Knapp St. / Brooklyn
Flamingo III (718-763-8745):Capt. Bob reports Wednesday a light crowd of 14 anglers enjoyed super duper awesome fishing on bluefish 3 to 8 pounds and they could have been back at the dock by 10 a.m. it was so good. They did have two keeper bass and five shorts and were back early by 1 p.m. Weather kept them tied up Thursday and Friday…BUT Saturday they had slam bang bluefishing on choppers with fish all along the NY side running large with fish today from 3 to 12 pounds. They did have one keeper bass among all these choppers. They sail daily now at 6:30 a.m. returning around 2 p.m. The web site is www.Flamingo3.com.

Capt. Bob was featured on The Fishing Line TV Show a couple of times, for spring winter flounder fishing and jigging bass on another episode. Bob & RJ scored big time on both shows on giant bass with fish over 25 pounds. You can order the extended home release video which is longer than the 30 minute show version by clicking the link.

Do yourselves a favor...make sure you visit them this season. They have some awesome action and the Flamingo IS the bluefish boat to hit! New York’s topwater, lure & jig specialist for blues, weakfish & bass. The Flamingo III started it over 50 years ago and while others may imitate them, no one can duplicate them. The Flamingo III is a family fishermen’s boat catering to all anglers and pride themselves in a keeping a clean and courteous boat with the most experienced crew. The Flamingo III is located at Knapp St. & Belt Parkway and the UA Theater with plenty of free & safe parking.

Mill Basin Brooklyn
April Lynn Charters (718-629-3615): Capt. Capt. Rob Jackson reported  Trophy fish time is right around the corner! Book on-line at www.fishnyc.com. April Lynn” is a 30 foot, 2004 Seaswirl Striper series vessel. Powered with a pair of 2007, 250 hp E-Tech engines, she is lluxuriously appointed and immaculately maintained to maximize your safety, comfort, entertainment, and fishing success. April Lynn is a serious fishing machine. The stable, dry ride and speed of April Lynn make it possible to cover more area, and inside the cabin of April Lynn boasts all the comforts of home; a full galley with microwave oven, a full V berth that coverts to a dinning area. A few of our fishing packages include dawn & dusk inshore trips for trophy striped bass and weakfish, Offshore sport fishing charters that target tuna, and shark or the Mixed Bag trips targeting multiple species in a single charter. The action is just minutes away! On the web at www.fishNYC.com

Jamaica Bay & Broad Channel:
Smitty's Fishing Station (718-945-2642): Delores reports bunker and bluefish are every where mixing with stripers. Bluefish are found at the Cross Bay bridge and even at the trestle bridge and off the dock at Smitty’s as well. Flounder seemed to have taken off running for their lives as blues and bass roam the entire bay system now. Bunker chunks off Canarsie Pier in Brooklyn catch 7 to 9 pound blues, while schoolie bass and blues compete for clam and bunker chunks near the Marine Pkwy Bridge and Jamaica Bay.

Deb's & Jones Inlet:
East Rockaway:
Team Bass Boy (516-792-6452): John Gleason reports the severe storm on Monday really screwed things up at the inlet and up into the back bay. John reported as of Tuesday (5/13) afternoon the entire bay system from Atlantic Beach, through Reynolds Channel al the way to the LB Bridge and trestle BROWNED out! Also stirred and dirty brown were the shallow waters in Woodmere Bay, Hewlett Bay, Oceanside and Island Park. Winds on Tuesday afternoon finally swung to the SW around 4 p.m. and the next few tides should clean the bay up and it should be ready by fluke opener on Thursday

The shop is open on full summer hours from here on in. Many of our customers have asked for my opinion or better yet what would I do on the fluke issue. Remember this is just my opinion and not, I'm sure a new idea by any means. Four fish 16 to 18 inches and 1 fish over 18 inches. My reasoning would be that the larger the fluke the greater chance that it is a female. As we are doing with striped bass the "slot system" seems to be the better way to go. Why would you take a chance of putting a large dent in the female population of any species, to me it's a "no brainer", but as far as the powers that be go a "no brainer" is almost an oxy-moron.  GameOn!!!! The new web site www.TeamBassBoy.com is up and running now.

Team Bass Boy, now in their third season, continues to renovate the bait and tackle shop in East Rockaway right on the water Team Bass Boy is directly on the way to the Bay Park Boat Launch Ramp and the Bay Park bulkheads for crabbing, fluke, flounder, snappers and striped bass fishing. John Gleason and family, with a courteous staff run Team Bass Boy with the respect, family values, support and atmosphere of that ol’ time tackle shop you grew up with. Team Bass Boy is easy to get to, has all fishing and crabbing supplies with custom traps, “overnighters” and all the surf, inshore and offshore bait and tackle you need! Team Bass Boy is in line with the Bay Park Boat Launch Ramp and the Bay Park bulkheads for crabbing, fluke, flounder, snappers and striped bass fishing. On the web at www.teambassboy.com

Jones Inlet
Point Lookout:
Scotty's Fishing Station (516-432-4665): Tom reported as of Tuesday (5/13) afternoon the entire bay system from Long Beach through Point Lookout, Jones inlet, into Baldwin and Freeport completely BROWNED out! The amount of wind, run off and the extreme high tides turned the entire Jones Inlet areas into the Mississippi River delta. Even the east side of the Big Meadowbrook bridge and the east side of the Wantagh bridges all the way up in to Wantagh and Massapequa completely browned out. Winds on Tuesday afternoon finally swung to the SW around 4 p.m. and the next few tides should clean the bay up and it should be ready by fluke opener on Thursday. They are open on a regular basis now seven days a week with 7 to 6 weekdays and 6 to 7 on the weekends. On the web at www.scottysmarina.com.

Capt. Al (516-623-2248): Capt. Tom Weiss reported Wednesday was very good fishing with a lot more sea bass showing up seemingly over night. Good catches of sea bass with a few bluefish mixed in and some ling. The sea bass run anywhere from shorts to 3 pounds or better with the average angler seeing 75% keeper sea bass and full buckets. Thursday & Friday they did not sail. Saturday (5/10) was beautiful day and the ocean was laying down with a light crowd of people. They ALL had full buckets of sea bass to 4-1/2 pounds!! They had a few ling, a few codfish and the pool was a 6 pound cod along with a handful of blues. They sail every day now at 7 a.m.

Listen here to Capt. Al's Radio Interview for Tips on Sea Bass Fishing. Capt. Tom Weiss was featured on The Fishing Line TV Show in 2001. Tom & RJ scored big time on the giant sea bass with ling in the mix. You can order the extended home release video which is longer than the 30 minute show version by clicking the link.

Lady J V (516-825-5727): Capt. Pat reports hey are making the switch over to fluke with the start of the season this Thursday May 15. They will continue on their regular three quarter day schedule of 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make sure you call ahead to make sure they are sailing. NOW is the time to make those inquisitions and reservations for the 2008 season or best dates and times or tides and full moon trips. Pat will see you again in the spring for the fluke season. You can find out all this info and book charters by calling them or through their website at www.ladyjv.com.

Fire Island Inlet & Great South Bay:
Frank & Dicks Bait & Tackle (631-587-8442): Sal reports weather was a killer the last couple of days even the sun on Saturday was a disguise as the winds were still cranking from the N/NE. but prior to this you could color the bay blue as rampaging blues to 10 pounds devour anything resembling a clam, bunker chunk or mackerel on either tide. Landlubbers will find Patchogue and Blue Point Docks good locations to land these critters. Bluefish are a pain the neck and not as thick as they were but they are still everywhere and spread out. Bunker is scarce right now but if you can find some bunker the bass will find you for sure. No news on weakfish yet.

There are some bass at night now in the areas of the bridges with the RM bridge the best bet using  clam bellies and chum with mostly schoolies caught, but a keeper or two and a 28 pounder. The best tide was moving water and just fish this time of year when you can. No news on the plugging yet or the weakfish. On the web at www.FranknDicks.com and they monitor Ch 71 VHF on the water.

The current hours believe it or not are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week as they are doing renovations on the pace so they may as well be open. They do have all your bait and tackle for flounder and for bass. They serve pizza, wraps and sandwiches along with hot dogs so stop on by! On the web at www.FranknDicks.com and they monitor Ch 71 VHF on the water.

As of January 2008, Frank and Dick’s Bait Station in Babylon is under new ownership with proud new owners, Eileen & Bill Familia and family say the bait station has been has been completely renovated - and is no longer under renovation. Customers can expect a new and improved bait and tackle shop with a much wider variety of reels, rods, hooks, lures, etc. as well as a motorized spooling machine. They will also carry all baits in season and customers can call ahead to place their orders. In addition, Frank and Dick’s will also be serving up some of the best food in the Great South Bay! There will be fresh sandwiches, wraps, salads, hot dogs, pizza, hot pretzels, beer, coffee, and more.  As the season progresses, you can expect more details and pictures about us! We hope to see you on the water. On the web at www.FranknDicks.com and they monitor Ch 71 VHF on the water.

Island Princess (631-587-6024): Capt. Nick Manzari reports they are making the switch over to fluke with the start of the season this Thursday May 15. They will continue on their regular half day schedule for fluke sailing at 7 a.m. and again at noon. Also just a note to say their NEW second boat, the Bay Princess specializes in private charters up to 80 passengers. See below...Get gift certificates through their web site at islandprincessfishing.com. The Island Princess continues to offer discount savings on their trips by checking with their web site at www.islandprincessfishing.com.

They started the night trips with Capt. Brian Sorice at the helm last Friday (5/2) night and had very good fishing of bluefish 3 to 6 pounds. This was a good start to the night trips as a light crowd had good action in unpleasant conditions. Every night now 6 to 10 p.m.

Bay Princess (631-587-6024): Capt. Nick Manzari reports this will be run as a charter boat for up to 80 anglers with Sweet 16 parties, fishing trips, moonlight cruises, retirement and just about any excuse to get on the water gets you folks this great new and clean boat. Available for half and full day fishing trips, this new addition at Captree is a comfortable 65 footer that is of course USCG certified with all the latest safety and fish finding equipment and electronics. They will have fish cleaning services, enclosed heated lounge and galley with clean and separate ladies and men’s rooms. Friendly helpful crew as it always is with the Island princess and they have catering available. All major credit cards accepted and this will be run as a charter boat for up to 80 anglers. www.bayprincess.com.

Moriches Inlet:
Silly Lily Fishing Station (631-878-0247): Gary reports weather really was not that nice all week and therefore not many anglers fished…at all. He does expect the flounder fishing on Saturday afternoon and Sunday to be back up to par as this is the week it really happens each season and waters are tad cooler right now than they were this time last year. Gary says to go back and look at buoys 14 and 15 as the spots to be this week for jumbo flounder on the incoming tides. Also look for buoy 20 to be a hot spot this week. There are bass now in front of the Coast Guard Station and bluefish east of the area in Buoy 30 at the holes in this area where the bunker are balled up. Silly Lily is open and ready for your flounder fishing with all baits and tackle and all boats and rental skiffs in the water. The launch ramp is open for your own boats. Silly Lily is open and ready for your flounder fishing with all baits and tackle and all boats and rental skiffs in the water. The launch ramp is open for your own boats. On the web at www.sillylily.com.

Gary and Silly Lily were featured on The Fishing Line TV Show a couple of times. Once for bucktailing fluke and the other in 2005 when Gary & RJ scored big time on the flounder with over 30 fish in a few hours, 20 or more of them were keepers and they threw back keepers as well. You can order the extended home release DVD which is longer than the 30 minute show version by clicking the link.

Shinnecock Inlet/Hampton Bays:
East End Bait & Tackle (631-728-1744): Brian reported in Shinnecock Bay fluke are in the bay just in time for the opener on the 15th. The pin hookers have been finding them on a regular basis. A few bass have been reported around the Ponquogue Bridge but no keepers yet. Bluefish are all over but not in the numbers they were last week. In the Peconic Bay, a few stray weakfish around Roses Grove and Cow Neck but nothing too hot and blues are found around the Jessup’s Neck area on diamond jigs. In the ocean the draggers have reported fluke are stacked up out front waiting for the opener.

The shop is gearing up for the season and our freezers are full. Our live bait tanks went on this week with anticipation of having live killies for the fluke opener, call ahead to confirm we have them if this is your bait of choice. We will have live eels on hand by the weekend. Our shop is now open 7 days, 7-6 weekdays and 6-6 weekends. The website is up and running...check it out at www.eastendbaitandtackle.com

Montauk:
Paulies Tackle: (631-668-5520): Paulie reports water temps are only 49 to maybe 50 degrees and maybe cooler after this storm on Friday (5/9).  However the ocean is paved with fluke and the pinhookers are easily doing limits of 5 and 7 pounders with some 12 and 14 pounders caught as well! Otherwise things are slow but a few glimmers of hope with flounder, bluefish and, to a lesser extent, striped bass are exciting residents and tourists to the east end. Mike Argello and Harry Clemens on the private boat “Susan A” trekked to the Hooter Buoy to limit out on flounder. Principally using mussels, they found the top of the incoming and the first two hours of the outgoing tide best.

Bluefish, as in most locales on the south shore, are ubiquitous and hungry for clam, bunker or last week’s pot roast. A few stripers, mainly schoolies, are around but tough to get at due to the blues. They are running a full time schedule of seven days per week and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. even this early in the season. They will extend the hours of operation as the season progresses. Right now no reports in Montauk but they are open and eager to see you all! On the web at www.PauliesTackle.com

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