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Surf Fishing Report
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore Settlement
Detrimental to Sportfishing

 

On Line Surf Fishing Seminar

The Fishing Line's On-Air & On Line Surf Fishing Seminar: The Fishing Line Surf Fishing Radio Show Seminar can be heard anytime you want it!! The show is streamed on the internet. We'll have new speakers each year on our Radio Show and put the Interviews here on the web for you to listen to as much as you'd like. Here are the interviews, just click on the one you want to listen to, let it buffer and have fun.

Bait Seasonal Migration Article
Beach Driving Do's & Don'ts: Chuck Hollins, president of LIBBA
Casting Distance & Surf Fishing: with Ron Arra
Fall Bait Migration Patterns & Plugs with Rich Johnson
Fishing Braid Lines & South Shore Weed: Audience Question (2 parts): Problems
Fishing Tins: with Rich Johnson
Fishing Montauk with Willie Young: Tides, Bait Patterns Plugs, Winds, Seasons, The Light, North Side, South side
Fishing the Mullet Run Part 1: with Rich Johnson
Fishing the Mullet Run, Plugs and Tackle: with Rich Johnson
Getting Started Surf Fishing(2007)  Part 1 with Rich Johnson
Getting Started Surf Fishing (2007) Part 2 with Rich Johnson
How To "Read the Beach"...Video
How-To Read The Beach...Audio: with Rich Johnson
Montauk's South Side Sandy Beaches with Vinny Sobral of Freddie's Bait and Tackle
North Shore Beaches and Tides: John Richey of Terminal Tackle
North Shore Surf Secrets 2007: Beaches Tides & Plugs with John Richy of Terminal Tackle (8:40)
More On Tins & the North Shore Tides, Moons and Day/Night
Listeners questions on: Starting Surf Bag & What Lures to Use,
 

Hey!! If some of you are going to use reports and info off these pages word for word
on other sites...at least give TFL a credit would ya??

Take Our Angler Survey: The Fishing Line in conjunction with Southwick Associates has put together a series of Angler Surveys to gather important info on your angling habits in order to present to the powers that be, detailed info on why we should be getting more recognition from local, state and federal government and authorities. Just click on the banner at left to be transported to register and take the survey for The Fishing Line. As incentives for people to respond to each monthly survey, ten $100 gift certificates are awarded each month to randomly drawn respondents to the outdoor retailer of their choice, including local shops. For each month a person takes the survey, they are entered into the year-end drawing for a $1,000 gift certificate to the outdoor retailer of the winner’s choice. The online surveys are partnering with The Fishing Line to help learn more about anglers’ needs and opinions on conservation and fisheries management issues.

 

Thursday Night Fishing Forecast Radio Show Back

NY 2008 Fluke & Porgy Reg's Now Official

Overview: 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."

Check out our surf logs from 2007 or all the way back to 2005 or 2004 or 2003 to see a pattern for any week this time of year. I have listed many, many items today as I clean house with surf fishing reels and lures and tins for sale, some conventional boat and surf reels and other items as well al listed at our Message Boards. FOLLOW THIS LINK  to see the items. You can call during business hours or e mail me for info if you want to purchase them.

Rich Johnson's Report: I did my first “shake down” trip to the beach this afternoon (5/2) after re-spooling new line. I hit the rock sin AB for about 30 minutes doing some stretching and some casting is 1 ounce bucktails. By the time I did this around 4:30 it w as already blowing E/SE at 15 to 20. No weed but the water was good color but on its way to turning dark. Bad weather the next day or two and most of the fish I’ve heard about are in the inlets and back of the inlets so keep that in mind if you’re going to hit the suds.

Listeners Report:
 

SOUTH SHORE BEACHES
Montauk:
Paulies Tackle: (631-668-5520): Paulie reports action in Montauk remains quiet as schools of small schoolies seem to come and go as schools move in and out as they head along to the north side. The better action is with small stuff and one close keeper, but no news of any keepers. Better areas are Dead Man’s and in through Indians and of course Ditch Plains. When you find the fish it is one after another with blitzes, then they go off and up and down the beaches as the fish are definitely moving and not settled in with water temps 49 to 50 degrees and chilly. 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. On the web at www.PauliesTackle.com

Shinnecock & Hampton Bays:
East End Bait & Tackle (631-728-1744): Scott reports in Shinnecock Canal, fluke are in with keepers being reported. Weakfishing remain spotty with little to report. Bluefish continue to invade the canal during the evenings. A couple of bass reported as well on rubber baits. Over at the Ponquogue Bridge blues are being caught on tins, rubber baits and bucktails. No reports on bass. In Shinnecock Inlet blues and bass have been caught off the jetties with most caught on to tins and bucktails.  In Peconic Bay try Jessup’s for some blues or Roses Grove for the weaks. 

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

Moriches:
East End Bait & Tackle (631-728-1744): Brian reported We are closing out our Rogue Rod line, 25% off all in stock and the Stradic FH of last year, 25% off as well . 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

South Shore
Fire Island Inlet: 
Robert Moses Beaches to Tobay:
Frank & Dicks Bait & Tackle (631-587-8442): Bill reports not much is happening in this area as things are still cool. There are bluefish now running through the inlet and some stripers with most of them schoolies. No word on weakfish yet but they should be there waiting for you. 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 place so they may as well be open. 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.

Jones & Deb's Inlets:
Jones Beach:
Scotty's Fishing Station (516-432-4665): Tom reported Tom reported blues were found by surfcasters by the Construction Dock in Jones Inlet and east of the Meadowbrook Bridge.

Point Lookout:
Scotty's Fishing Station (516-432-4665): Tom reported few reports from the Lido area of big blues during the week and a couple of schoolie bass on bunker chunks and black and white Bombers. A few guys went down to Democrat Saturday (5/3) morning and we're waiting to hear back from them. There's been a few bass on clams in Atlantic Beach and no keepers reported. The water was huge and turning dark late Friday afternoon with the hard E/SE winds at 20 knots, but Saturday's weather was not that bad and condition have calmed down. 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.

Long Beach & Atlantic Beach:
Team Bass Boy (516-792-6452): John Gleason reported a few reports from the Lido area of big blues during the week and a couple of schoolie bass on bunker chunks and black and white Bombers. A few guys went down to Democrat Saturday (5/3) morning and we're waiting to hear back from them. There's been a few bass on clams in Atlantic Beach and no keepers reported. The water was huge and turning dark late Friday afternoon with the hard E/SE winds at 20 knots, but Saturday's weather was not that bad and condition have calmed down. The new web site www.TeamBassBoy.com is up and running now.

Rockaways/Breezy Point:
Team Bass Boy (516-792-6452): John Gleason reported a few bass on clams in the Rockaways now  but no keepers reported and action is actually pretty slow for the end of April. It is not gangbuster time yet but perhaps with some better weather this week it may be time where you bring 20 clams you’ll catch 20 schoolies…that time is just around the corner. The new web site www.TeamBassBoy.com is up and running now.

NORTH SHORE BEACHES

Western Sound:
City Island
Jack's Bait & Tackle (718-885-2042): John DeCuffa reports some good action with bass off the shore in Turtle Cove using plugs and small bucktails and jig heads with Gulp worms. Some are throwing real sandworms and doing well with a few keepers reported this week as water temps are now above 52 degrees and some bass to 37 inches. No bluefish yet in here but it won’t be long as this area is filled with bunker. Flounder fishing is pretty good from here with flounder inside Orchard Beach Lagoon and over at Glenn Island with 4 to 5 fish per trip.

Little Neck & Manhasset Bay
A number of anglers fishing late at night with bunker chunks are catching bass approaching keeper size and even larger with fish to 25 pounds now at night, but are having a ball catching and releasing nonetheless. No blues yet, but they could be only days away. We hear of some terrific bass fishing with keeper size bass in Manhasset Bay now on the chunks. Leeds Pond and these areas will produce with quiet conditions at night now. Lots of schoolie action and things are quite good from what we hear. Little Neck Bay has fish on bucktails at first light and during the day as does Manhasset Bay. Lots of bunker are drawing striped bass of all sizes into area waters. Flounder fishing has been sporadic, but a few sharpies are targeting shallow water with mud bottoms that retain the heat from the sun’s rays to do well.

You can now shop on line at www.jacksbaitandtackle.com. Their hours now are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. The skiffs are ready for your flounder fishing! They do have all their skiffs in the water already and prices this year will be the same with $49.99 weekdays and 59.99 weekends. NO INCREASE in rental skiff price! See them or buy tackle on the web at www.jacksbaitandtackle.com. See John's You Tube Videos as well.

John was featured on The Fishing Line TV Show in 2005. John & RJ scored big time on the giant bass with fish over 35 pounds 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 video which is 55 minutes of non stop giant bass action.

Middle Long Island Sound:
Cold Spring/Northport/Huntington/Kings Park:
Terminal Tackle (631-269-6005): Bass fishing gets better every single day. There are schoolies with the rare 28 to 34 inch fish, but most are smaller and the most dependable area is the stretch from Crab Meadow to the Power Plant...all the beaches are producing with night and early morning best! There are fish caught in the other areas to the west at Cold Spring Harbor and Caumsett. East of the Kings Park area there are a few bass in Stony Brook Harbor on bucktails but no real word inside the river yet. They're open on their normal schedule of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closing at 2 p.m. on Sundays. On the web at www.terminaltackleco.com.

Long Island Sound East:
Southold
We Go Fishing B&T (631-765-3918):  Steve reports they now have their web site back up and running at www.wegobait.com.

 

 

Get These Hot Surf Fishing Action Videos:
Send check or MO PLUS $5 shipping and payable to Rich Johnson to
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Pencil Popping Montauk Point Part 1: Hit the surf with Pencil Poppers. My guests for this two part series were Vinny Sobral, owner of Freddie's Bait and Tackle in Montauk and Willie Young, president of the Montauk Surfcasters Association.  We used Cotton Cordell pencil poppers in this show for exciting surface explosions as stripers to 20 pounds crushed our offerings on film for all to see. We went over and covered the tidal importance of the Montauk area with Vinny and Willie and included some awesome aerial views of the Montauk Beaches from the south side all the way around the light to Shagwong and gave detailed names and graphics so you know where and what every beach is. We went over lure selection, tackle selection, safety on the rocks and most of all how pencil poppers work and to work them with the rod. For a For a FREE Video Clip, Click the Projector below.

Pencil Popping Montauk Point Part 2: Hit the surf with Pencil Poppers. My guests for this two part series were Vinny Sobral, owner of Freddie's Bait and Tackle in Montauk and Willie Young, president of the Montauk Surfcasters Association.  We used Cotton Cordell pencil poppers in this show for exciting surface explosions as stripers to 20 pounds crushed our offerings on film for all to see. We went over and covered the tidal importance of the Montauk area with Vinny and Willie and included some awesome aerial views of the Montauk Beaches from the south side all the way around the light to Shagwong and gave detailed names and graphics so you know where and what every beach is. We went over lure selection, tackle selection, safety on the rocks and most of all how pencil poppers work and to work them with the rod. For a For a FREE Video Clip, Click the Projector below.

How-To Rig Eels for Beach or Back Bays Video:  Only $10 while supplies last. This 17-minute, commercial free video shows you the detailed step by step process on how to rig and tie eels for big bass with Rich Johnson & Joe Gullo, formerly of West End B&T, rigging eels the Al Bentsen way, who was the originator of this technique. This video will give and teach you knowledge that will last a lifetime...certainly worth the investment of $10 + $3.85 S&H. This is one for you serious or beginning surfcasters looking to put cow bass on the beach. E Mail rich@thefishingline.com for info

Surf Fishing; A Day In The Life: This week we hit the beach at Robert Moses State Park on Long Island and while you may think our shows are hammer fish all the time...in surf fishing it is not like that a majority of the time that's for sure...no matter who and what hot shot you may be. In this episode we show you how to keep organized in your car, hit the beach with friends last fall and actually take you to numerous beaches along the South Shore of Long Island looking to catch some fish and burn a tank of gas doing so...just like you folks. The fish were blitzing for two to three days in NW winds and if you were there as I was last November and in it...you know what I'm talking about. Twenty to 30 pound bass and giant bluefish on every cast for days. We show up with the cameras and we're back to a typical day in the life of a surfcaster with light NW winds at 5 knots and a slow pick. But so is life in the day of the surfcaster an that is exactly what we show you. We'll have clips and videos available soon.

Surf Fishing Jetties: We've put together a special Surf Fishing show for all you surf rats. In this special Surf Special, we cover how to read the beach, hook replacement, changing drag washers, changing your spinning reel into a bail-less, manual retrieve spinning reel, some exciting catches, bait migration explanations and we even "match the hatch," showing you the peanut bunker we encountered and how it matches with the rubber shad used by many of you surfcasters. We go over the preferred tackle for the south shore of the Island and sandy beaches of New Jersey, as we packed as much as we could into a short half hour show on the huge topic of Surf Fishing. This is the first in a series of Surf Fishing specials planned for the coming seasons! For a Video Clip from this 2003 Premiere Episode, Click the Magic Projector Below

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