Exceptional October Fishing

Columbus Day morning in Montauk was still. The ocean was like a mirror, with a slight fuzziness on the horizon from the fog the cold air had drawn forth during the night.

Fishing boats stretched like stepping stones from Montauk Point to Block Island. Around the Point, frothing pockets of feeding false albacore could be seen on the surface, each with its frenzied halo of diving birds.

The bait fish - scared into the air by pursuing fish - have not left the area. This, and the unseasonably mild weather, have combined to make for exceptional October fishing.

Bravo El Bravo

The El Bravo charter boat pulled up to its slip at the Montauk Marine Basin on Sunday afternoon with a cornucopia of fish.

Capt. Charlie Harned had taken his boat offshore about 30 miles, where his anglers caught a number of school-size bluefin, too small to keep, and then picked from a bountiful school of green bonito (arguably the best-eating fish in the sea).

On the way back to Montauk, El Bravo stopped at a favorite wreck and pulled a few large cod, then on to the rips around the Point for four large striped bass and some bluefish.

Michael Potts, captain of the Blue Fin IV, said his Monday trip was typical of recent outings: 15 to 18 bass in two and a half hours of fishing, none smaller than 20 pounds.

Venturesome Year

Barry Kohlus on the Venture charter boat has had quite a year. On Saturday, his anglers boated a 40 and a 45-pound striped bass. The following day a 41-pound striper was pulled aboard.

These catches follow a 623-pound mako and a 914-pound bluefin giant earlier this season.

Surfcasters got into the act big-time over the weekend.

"They were three deep at the Point. The good news is they were all catching, even the ones that didn't know how," reported Joe Gaviola.

On the higher tides, schools of bass and bluefish moved past the Point and along the south-facing beaches this week. Mid-Napeague, in front of the White Sands motel, has been especially hot, surfcasters say.

Montauker On Board

Mr. Gaviola reports a change in the standings of the Montauk Locals striped bass casting tournament. A Montauker is finally on the board. Eric Ernst of Montauk was in third place as of yesterday, with a 313/4-pound bass.

Fred Kalkstein of Amagansett is in second with a 341/2-pounder, and Bob Jones of East Hampton commands the lead with a 351/2-pound striper.

The shore action has not yet reached Southampton beaches, according to Altenkirch's Precision Outfitters in Hampton Bays. On the other hand, the fluke fishing outside the Shinnecock Inlet has been good, with boaters catching fish in the three to five-pound range.

Winter flounder weighing as much as three pounds are being taken inside the Shinnecock Canal, along with porgies and sea bass.

Tuna Bite

Altenkirch's also reports that the bluefin tuna bite continues offshore, with some large fish being taken in Block Canyon and the Fingers, at its northern edge. Through Sunday, boats are permitted to catch and keep two "large-school"-size fish (47 to 59 inches) and one "small-medium" (59 to 73 inches long) per day. One bluefin in the "large-medium" or "giant" categories is permitted, per boat, per season. They measure 73 inches and longer.

The tuna species are abundant inshore, too. Fly fishermen are targeting false albacore off Montauk Point with great success.

"It's here. The blitz is here," said Tom South of Dixon's Sporting Life Shop in East Hampton, at 10:30 Tuesday morning. "I just talked to Tom Fisher and he already has 15 false albacore." Mr. Fisher is one of several fly fishing guides who operate out of the shop. "It's been incredible for five days, bass and blues too," added Mr. South.

Shark Bait

David Blinken, an independent fly fishing guide, was also in on the action, as was Harvey Bennett of the Tackle Shop in Springs, who guides fly fishermen to the increasingly popular fall East End action.

Mr. Bennett, not content catching the speedy false albacore off Montauk Point, reported a seven-foot shark circling his small boat on Sunday; he tried to bait it with a recently caught bluefish. It's probably just as well the shark didn't take the bait.

For those who like to relax on the dock by the bay, Mr. Bennett recommends the winter flounder now being taken from the commercial dock at Gann Road on Three Mile Harbor.