Few Tuna, Still

Tuna were still missing in action this week for the most part, although mako sharks kept some offshore fishermen reeling. Chad Conklin, former captain of the Nischa, was perhaps the best example.

He took his open boat about 20 miles offshore alone on Sunday morning and returned to the Montauk Marine Basin with a 318-pound mako - no mean feat. In fact, he said he didn't think he was going to be able to boat the fish, but in the end brought it close enough to drop the reel and wield a harpoon.

Altenkirch's Precision Outfitters shop in Hampton Bays reported makos in the 100 to 150-pound range caught with consistency by Shinnecock-based boats fishing east of the inlet in 130 to 160 feet of water. The catch of the week up Southampton way may have been the 11-pound, 13-ounce "doormat" fluke angled by the son of one of Altenkirch's customers.

This season's amazingly good fluke fishing has not subsided, according to anglers working the south side of Montauk and around Gardiner's Island in the bay.

School Truants?

There were various reports of yellowfin and longfin tuna, but no large schools. Capt. Joe McBride of the My Mate charter boat reportedly found one school on his way to Block Canyon for an overnight trip. Ten yellowfin were taken in short order. The My Mate curtailed its canyon trip and headed back to Montauk to finish the day catching striped bass.

Pound net fishermen saw a run of bonito in Fort Pond Bay, Montauk, two weeks ago, but the bullet-shaped little tunas have gone.

Scott Gaeckle of Dixon's Sporting Life shop in Wainscott said false albacore (little tuny) were schooling near the Ruins and Tobaccolot Bay, both off Gardiner's Island. He said that if this season is typical they will soon amass at Montauk Point, providing the most-exciting fly fishing this area has to offer. "Any day now," he said.

Meanwhile, the Dixon shallow-draft charter boats have concentrated on big bluefish and striped bass north of Gardiner's Island in the rips near Great Gull and Little Gull Islands.

Casters without boats continue to enjoy a mix of bluefish, bass, and weakfish on the south side, like clockwork in the early mornings on Napeague.