Prize Winning Web
Site by Press Club LI 

Channel 18

Channel 3
 

South Shore Fishing Reports
By Rich Johnson & Charlie Sciara
E-mail your reports us or call 516-889-6895.

Listen to TFL Radio Show & Interviews Here
24 Hours A Day with No Commercials

Sign Up for New Monthly Newsletter!

**************************************************************

Free Fishing Reports: The Fishing Line's 24 hour a day Free Reports Phone Service keeps you up to date with timely and accurate reports when you want and need them. You now have access to updated reports 24 hours a day by phone when you are away from the Internet through The Fishing Line! Call 516-977-2088. Make sure you register for FREE our Discussion and Message Boards so you can discuss other hot topics right now!  Remember it is always important to say you heard, saw or read it on "The Fishing Line."

*********************************************

Free South Shore Fishing Reports By Phone
It's Free! Call 516-977-2088

**************************************************************

NEW DVD RELEASES: We have several NEW DVD releases...a couple of which have never been seen before and a few of the most popular ones from our archives that were only on VHS tape have now been brought to life on DVD! New out are Rigging Eels for Striped Bass, Clam Bellying Bass, LI Sound porgies and Trolling Plugs! Find Out How To Order Here...

"The Fishing Line's" Radio Shows
Thursday Evening 6:30 p.m.
Saturday Afternoon 4 to 5 PM
1240AM WGBB or Streaming Here

Get Big Discounts On Fishing Tackle At FishNYC.com Use "Radio" Code

Save BIG $$'s On Boat Fuel This Season at Frank N Dick's ...Click Here

2009 TV Shows All On Web Now

Rich Johnson's Report:
East End
Montauk
East End Bait & Tackle (631-728-1744): Scott reports lousy weather meant a dearth of anglers due to the weather, but the few who got out had striped bass aplenty off the Lighthouse, while sea bass were the reward for mariners seeking local wrecks and rock piles. Bluefish, too, are ubiquitous for anyone anxious for a fight. A little sunshine and the offshore bite, quiet to this point, should turn on. They carry plugs by Gibbs, Super Strike, J-N-Ski, After Hours, Stillwater, Smack-it, Bomber & Yo-zuri. New summer hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 5 a.m. to 6 on the weekends.  www.eastendbaitandtackle.com

Sag Harbor/Eastern End
Rock & Roll Charters (917-400-5246): Captain Chris Costa reported Sunday (5/31) they fished the Jessup’s Neck area on the high tide and the outgoing and it was wall to wall porgies and bluefish. The porgies were al nice size up to 2 pound and even 3 pounds on the clams! Bluefish were 3 to 5 pounders and they were taking diamond jigs. The action lasted most of the morning before it died off. The nit was off to the Plug Gut on the parachutes for a few keeper bass. Then they hit the south side of Montauk for keeper fluke as well as they hit a full mixed bag. You can reach Capt. Chris through e mail CCOSTA12334@YAHOO.COM.

They sail out of beautiful and historic Sag Harbor, Long Island. Captain Chris has been fishing the eastern end of Long Island for nearly 30 years. Let Capt. Chris take you on a great fishing adventure for striped bass, blues, porgies, fluke and blackfish. Rock & Roll Charters is a very safe and fast 26-foot Parker Pilot House fishing platform which keeps anglers and guests warm in spring and fall, cool in the summer and out of the wind when traveling to the fishing grounds. The eastern end of Long Island is truly a fishermen’s paradise as we’ll see ospreys, wildlife and great fishing in and around Shelter Island or the fish laden waters of famous Montauk, Plum Gut, Block Island and the Peconic’s. So come join Capt. Chris on Rock & Roll Fishing Charters…as the Beatles once said “a good time is guaranteed for all.” Web site to be up soon and pics to follow

Shinnecock Inlet/Hampton Bays:
East End Bait & Tackle (631-728-1744): Bluefishing has slowed some with the best action in the Peconic's at Jessup’s or Robin’s Island. The striped bass bite is good at the Ponquogue Bridge and they are showing a preference for clam bellies. There are some keepers to 34 inches most are border line above and below keeper size, but live bunker are scoring bass to 20 pounds. These bunker schools are inside Shinnecock Bay and also around the bridge or in the inlet itself. Porgies are reported at Rogers Rock, sandworms and clam chum working well. There are sea bass being caught at the Shinnecock Reef but that has been picked clean of keepers with the fluke season closed, so obviously keepers are hard to come by. They carry plugs by Gibbs, Super Strike, J-N-Ski, After Hours, Stillwater, Smack-it, Bomber & Yo-zuri. New summer hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 5 a.m. to 6 on the weekends. On the web at www.eastendbaitandtackle.com

Moriches Inlet:
Silly Lily Fishing Station (631-878-0247): Gary reports lots of anglers waiting for the reopening of the fluke season this coming Friday (7/3). Right now though, the only game in town is the bass fishing and the good bluefish action all through the bay. Bass fishing is best at buoy 26 and in the East & West Cuts all on the clam and clam chum. Also some anglers using bunker chunks for bass are catching giant fluke which right now have to be returned. Plenty of bluefish 2 to 4 pounds with some smaller and some larger, all through the bay, just follow the birds. Porgies now down at the rock pile in the east cut using clams with plenty of 14 to 15 inch porgies caught here. 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.

Fire Island Inlet & Great South Bay:
Frank & Dicks Bait Station & Tackle (631-587-8442): Sal reports they do have Live / Fresh & frozen baits for all species in season. For custom orders or to reserve live bait  like bunker, you can call ahead at call 631-587-8442. They are open 7 day's per week. Any club's requesting our special fuel discounts should contact Bill and he will put them on the list. Mention The Fishing Line you’ll get $.05 off per gallon of fuel.

Sal reported bluefishing has slowed down quite a bit inside except for the early morning bite at the inlet, the RM Bridge and in the state channel. The fish are well scattered now and the size also has dropped noticeably. No weakfish weighed in. Striped bass are still showing up in the early hours with eels taking the larger ones. Richie and son's managed two nice fish in the 30's at the #7 buoy as did Pete on the “My Girl's.” Clam chummers on the bar all reported smaller fish and not that many blues mixed in as last week. John and the crew of “Samara" weighed in a pair of nice bass 28 and 31 pounds on live eel's.

Keeper sized porgies were hard to come by in the Sore Thumb or Spanish House. My thoughts on this are go to deeper, darker water…it's worth a try. They have to be around someplace. Some kingfish did show up at the turn of the tide then petered out as fast as they came in according to Mario on the “Open Bail.” Sea bass on the outside reefs still keeping everybody busy. When you get in on a honey hole, stay there and don't move for bigger fish are there all from the same mold, just have fun and wait for the keeper.  Billy made at least a dozen drops and all the fish were the same size except for the ones that made the cooler.

Pat “4 My Girls" and crew had six cod and a mess of ling to 4 pounds on an outside wreck. Blue sharks were the main players again this week for those who fished the weather windows and got out there. Chris from the marina got his first shark with John fishing the Linda. I hope that John explained to him the importance of tagging and proper handling of these beautiful creatures. The Tiki Bar is now open and serving cool refreshments and will have the big blow out opening for the Fourth of July Bam Bam Opening.

Remember to call ahead for your breakfast and lunch orders...spend more time on the water and less on land. For more bait and tackle info please call 631-587-8442 or log on www.frankndicks.com. The shop is in full swing now. They are enjoying the warmer weather and fishing is picking up a little each day. They are open with bait, food, coffee and if you mention The Fishing line you’ll get $.05 off per gallon of fuel. They have a new kitchen, new full menu, umbrella drinks and this will be a super season for them in 2009.

The kitchen will serve burgers, hot dogs, seafood platters and paninis ... to name a few! They will also have Green Mountain Coffee - traditional blends and flavors! Watch for the Grand Opening of the Tiki Bar sometime in late May. Frank and Dick's will also be selling Penn reels on the premises and live bait as usual. They have everything the Great South Bay anglers need for the flounder season, fluke and of course striped bass. Visit them on the web at www.FranknDicks.com or call 631-587-8442 or hail them on VHF Ch. 71 when you're on the water.

Island Princess (631-587-6024): Capt. Nick Manzari reports the RSA permit allows them to keep fluking. They have been fishing most days and they started to see some fluke in the ocean early this week. Darn good fishing with a handful of keepers per trip. Good fishing! They are sailing an open schedule right now of 7 to 11 a.m. and again from noon till 4 p.m.

The night trips have slowed the last day or two with the late afternoon and early lightening storms and rain water runoff. They see scattered bluefish now and some short bass action on each night trip. These trips sail every night 6 to 10 p.m. 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.

Bay Princess (631-587-6024): Capt. Nick Manzari reports the Bay Princess had a few charters this week for fluke and for bass on the clam chum. They had furious action on bass one trip and another had plenty of shorts and four keeper bass on another. They are they are currently taking and booking charters, both fishing and pleasure on their second boat the Bay Princess. This handles 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.

Capt. Bob-O (631-748-4990): Capt. Bob-O reported they too have the RSA permit that allows them to keep fluking. Fishing the last few days has seen them get out most of their trips. They had good fluking Saturday (6/20) morning with a light crowd and pool winner around 4 pounds or so. This has been the main action most of the week and some very nice fish around too. They are sailing an open schedule right now of 7 to 11 a.m. and again from noon till 4 p.m. and Thursday through Sundays they run an extra tip 5 to 9 p.m. for bass, blues and weakfish. Visit www.captbobofishing.com.

A new member to The Fishing Line family for 2009, Capt. Bob-O is a full sized party boat, diesel powered vessel located on the right side of the dock at Captree State Park. They are fully documented, insured and licensed; equipped with the most modern electronic safety and fish finding equipment. With an experienced, knowledgeable and courteous crew and a spacious fishing environment, the Capt. Bob-O offers open boat fishing daily at 7 AM and Noon, and at 5 PM now Thursday thru Sunday.  Any group that would like to sail on a regularly scheduled trip, should contact the captain about group discounts.  Boat features upper deck seating and a full galley.  So call or visit their website for current information regarding what they’re fishing for and rates. Call 631-748-4990, email captreecaptainbobo@yahoo.com, or visit  www.captbobofishing.com.

Debs & Jones Inlets:
Scotty's Fishing Station (516-432-4665): Tom reports triggerfish, porgies and sea bass to 14 inches are being caught on clam baits down at the Lido Beach Golf Course now. Lots and lots of fluke are being caught a  by catch on the clams, never seen before this many on the clams and with the season opening on July 3 again there will be no shortage of action or keepers! 

Good bass and bluefishing on the chum and clams all through the inlet, the west bar and in the Reynolds Channel area. Stripers were caught on clams in the ocean off Lido and Point Lookout. The west bar is loaded with smaller bass on the clams but some keepers are caught. Most bass around the bridges are borderline keepers but there is no shortage of action and the bite is good at the Big M, Loop Bridge, the Point Lookout Bridge and at the drains in the area. No word on bunker schools the last day or two in the ocean. Sea bass and porgies at the area refs, rock piles and in the back bay around mussel beds and bridges. There was an offshore bite midweek with one angler scoring three blue sharks. On the web at www.scottysmarina.com.

Capt. Al (516-623-2248): Capt. Tom Weiss says fishing over all has been super duper massacre ling fishing in deep water with ling to 5-1/2 pounds. The bright sun and low tides shit the porgy bite down while sea bass has been a pick of quality keepers, so the ling is the hot bite right now. They sail every day for full day bottom fishing at 7 a.m. and Friday & Saturday night bass/bluefish trips at 7 p.m. returning around midnight.

Listen to Capt. Al Lindroth's radio Interview explanation for the return of Long Island codfish Click Here. 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.

Jamaica Bay & Broad Channel:
Smitty's Fishing Station (718-945-2642): Delores reports easterly winds, fog and near torrential rain put a crimp in the fishing this week. Add the closure of recreational fluking until July 3 (except for some party and charter boats paying for the privilege) to the list of annoyances that hinder anglers so that many never saw a rod or reel. The few intrepid souls who took advantage of a few “windows of opportunity” saw good striped bass fishing in the ocean using live bunker and clam bellies/clam chum. Blue fishing slowed momentarily, except on the North Channel Bridge during daylight hours, but the few anglers who could take the ocean chop found sea bass and porgies on Rockaway and the Fishing Line Reefs using squid and clam strips.

Rockaway Inlet / Sheepshead Bay:
Ocean Eagle V (718-258-4126): Capt. Greg reports Saturday & Sunday’s fishing was “special” as they had ALL the sea bass you could want. They had limits for all of the 75 people on board Sunday in spectacular action on 2 to 3 pounds sea bass down to the south. A fast as you hit the bottom you had sea bass!! Monday and Tuesday’s (6/30) was the pretty much the same thing as they fished drops they hadn’t fished since last year and the sea bass were sitting waiting for the folks who took the trip. FANTASTIC action on the sea bass!! Make sure you get down there to visit their beautiful 85 foot fishing machine. They sail daily from Pier 5 in Sheepshead Bay at 7 a.m. Listen to Capt. Nardiello's Interview & Tips on Early Fall Blackfishing Here or listen to Capt. Greg Nardiello's Interview On Winter Blackfishing Tips & Technique.

Mill Basin Brooklyn
April Lynn Charters (718-629-3615): Capt. Rob Jackson reported Bill Carroll, his 17 year old son Drew and Grandpa Denny, 79 years young, chartered April Lynn Charters Tuesday (6/23) for a day of fishing. Bill brought the crew from Abilene Texas for an outstanding day of fishing, excellent sea conditions, and NO RAIN. High slack water temperature in the marina was 65.9 degrees, and 62.4 at the Rockaway Reef. We put out two umbrella rigs, one shad and one worm, in the water at the jetty around some flighty bird life but no customers. A slight NNW breeze with the ebb tide made for very productive drifting conditions at the reef. The guys drifted hi-lo rigs for a steady pick of fish including two released fluke, sea robins, a huge skate, only one dog fish, plenty of porgies with 10 keepers to 2 pounds (all scup released), and dozens of sea bass to 3 pounds. Three generations enjoyed a day at sea together, had plenty of action, and brought dinner home for the family. Fish NYC arranged for the car service to get them to & from their mobile home in Jersey City where the family is vacationing. On the web at April Lynn Charters.

Currently charters for this season are limited to only 4 anglers and lowering the cost with recession busting charter prices. Mentioning The Fishing Line can save you $75 off any charter! They are experts in Jamaica Bay fishing for Striped Bass, Fluke, flounder & Weakfish/Bluefish trips. Half day charters are only $425. They also have Special Weakfish Charters: Striped bass and weakfish run April-May and Sept-Dec with special trips set for 5 to 8.30 a.m. and 6 to 9:30 p.m. only $425. For other great trips, sightseeing, river tips, fireworks and just about any request from inshore to offshore can be accommodated. Special savings for flounder, sea bass and bottom fishing and now mixed bag multi specie trips contact 718-629-3615 or on the web at www.fishnyc.com

There are a few reports now of bass to 20 pounds in J Bay on the bunker that sneaked in there last week. Waters are still very chilly but this is the early season spot of the tri state area so get your reservations now! On the web 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 luxuriously 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!

Belt Parkway-Knapp St. / Brooklyn
Flamingo III (718-763-8745): Capt. Bob reported Monday and Tuesday’s (6/30) fishing, as you would expect, has carried right over from the weekend and has been fabulous. Monday bluefishing during the daytime was excellent with blues 3 to 5 pounds, but they did find another area of fish where the choppers were 8 to a pool winning 13 pounds! Tuesday the action was so fast and furious there was no need to travel to larger fish and they were back home early at 1 p.m. with tired arms and full buckets of 3 to 6 pounders. It's been exciting, fast action, close to home & all on jigs. Don't know what else to tell you except our passengers have been enjoying great action & everyone is happy. They sail daily at 6:30 a.m. and Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. The web site is www.Flamingo3.com.

The July 4th Fireworks cruise is $45 and they most likely will sail at 7 p.m. and return when it’s over. Bring your own refreshments and food. Please get your tickets and reservations early and not the day of if you can help it. They usually sell out a few days prior to the event, so don't dilly dally. If you are going…call and get your tickets ahead of time.

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.

Rockaway Inlet / Sheepshead Bay:
Easterly winds, fog and near torrential rain put a crimp in the fishing this week. Add the closure of recreational fluking until July 3 (except for some party and charter boats paying for the privilege) to the list of annoyances that hinder anglers so that many never saw a rod or reel. The few intrepid souls who took advantage of a few “windows of opportunity” saw good striped bass fishing in the ocean using live bunker and clam bellies/clam chum. Bluefishing slowed momentarily, except on the North Channel Bridge during daylight hours, but the few anglers who could take the ocean chop found sea bass and porgies on Rockaway and the Fishing Line Reefs using squid and clam strips.

Know where they are...not where they were...
Keep up with "The Fishing Line"