On the Water: Sharpen Your Hooks
While some dread the approach of April 15, others relish its arrival because it’s the opening of the striped bass season in New York State. The date is also the unofficial start of the saltwater fishing season. I say unoffical because traditionalists argue that April 1, the first day one can catch and keep a winter flounder in local waters, marks the true opening. But anyone who has targeted in-shore winter flounder in the last many years knows it’s no coincidence that the season opens on April Fools Day.
One has a greater chance of finding a parking space on East Hampton’s Newtown Lane in August than catching a flounder in Gardiner’s Bay. Marine biologists have many theories on why the winter flounder population remains at low levels, including habitat destruction, the recovery of predatory species populations like striped bass, and, locally, a small breeding stock resulting from many years of overfishing.
The lack of a winter flounder fishery continues to have a negative financial impact on local tackle shops, according to Ken Morse, owner of Tight Lines Tackle in Sag Harbor. His store has traditionally relied on sandworm and tackle sales to jumpstart business after a slow winter period. So far this season Tight Lines hasn’t sold a single sandworm, and Morse fears he will have to dump his wriggling inventory shortly.
Individuals 16 years of age and older must enroll in the Recreational Marine Fishery Registry before fishing New York’s marine and coastal district waters, which surround Long Island. The failure to do so can result in a fine. Those who fish exclusively on party and charter boats are exempt from this requirement. Enrollment can be accomplished online at the New York State Department of Environmental Conserservation’s website, dec.ny.gov.
The current D.E.C. regulations allow recreational anglers to keep one striped bass daily at least 28 inches total length and two winter flounder daily at least 12 inches long.
April 1 was also opening day of the trout season. Unless one is a Southampton resident, and therefore permitted to fish in Trout Pond, there aren’t any local options for catching this species. Laurel Lake on the North Fork is the next closest body of water to offer trout fishing, but you’ll need a New York State freshwater fishing license before casting a line.
Sooner or later our weather will return from its trip to Ithaca and we will enjoy days perfect for fishing. Now’s the time to clean, lube, and spool reels with fresh braid or monofilament, change or sharpen hooks, check rod guides for damage or nicks, and find the tackle bag buried under the garden hose in your basement. If any repairs are necessary, take the gear to your favorite local tackle shop for attention before the crowds descend. You might also start banking some fishing time with your spouse by reviewing the standard 2:1 exchange rate between fishing time and time spent attending birthday parties for distant relatives.
Tackle shops UpIsland report bays are holding an abundance of spearing and bunker, which is encouraging. A small number of schoolie striped bass have been caught in Shinnecock Bay. On the ocean side, the Viking Fleet reports that cod action slowed this week.
When life gives you lemons make lemonade. Tom McDonald, an East Hampton resident and fishing enthusiast, traveled to San Francisco with his dad, Don, last week to attend his sister’s wedding when a medical emergency resulted in the postponement of the ceremony. With unexpected time on his hands, Tom booked a seat on the local charter boat Argo out of Fisherman’s Wharf and caught three halibut between 36 and 38 inches on smelt slowly trolled behind a 16-ounce weight. The McDonalds and friends ate very well that night.
David Kuperschmid, The Star’s new fishing columnist, can be reached by email at [email protected].