Gator-sized bluefish thrashed about near the surface one day; two days later it was spunky striped bass.
Fishing
On the Water: Learning New TricksWhen I’m out pursuing codfish, I always start off using a diamond jig. I also use a diamond jig when I fish for weakfish, sea bass, and bluefish. The same lure is also used when I pursue striped bass from my boat. Old habits are hard to break.
On the Water: Fishing Plans Upended“The striped bass have arrived in Montauk,” said Capt. Rob Aaronson of the Montauk charter boat Oh Brother! Both diamond and bucktail jigs have been the lures of choice for the linesiders.
On the Water: Back on Dry LandStriped bass have shown up en masse in local waters, and many casters are very pleased with their early, bountiful showing. “It’s wonderful to see,” said Ken Morse at Tight Lines Tackle in Sag Harbor.
On the Water: Scratching Out a CatchThe warming rays of the sun have begun to perk up the local fishing scene, with holdover striped bass making the biggest noise in recent days.
On the Water: The Lobster Traps Are InFlounder is scarce, striped bass are not yet here in sizable numbers, so our columnist set about repairing his lobster traps.
On the Water: Last Trip of 2022?To borrow a phrase from the game of baseball, the fishing season is now in the bottom of the ninth inning. Striped bass season concludes Dec. 15, blackfish season comes to an end seven days later, and Dec. 31 is the final day to retain black sea bass.
On the Water: Remembering NormandyA trip on the Cross Sound Ferry's Cape Henlopen brings to mind the ship's storied history. The humble ferry boat of today participated in the historic invasion of Normandy on D-Day in World War II, dropping off 200 men and 70 vehicles of the 29th Infantry Division.
On the Water: The End Is NearAfter a mixed bag of a season, I happily climbed aboard the Elizabeth II, a charter boat out of the Montauk Marine Basin, for a trip for cod and bass, both of which I latched into within minutes.
On the Water: A Return to NomansAbout 25 years ago, I recall jumping aboard the Viking Starship for the five-hour ride to Nomans (both the island and the area near Cuttyhunk) to target blackfish. Those trips were extremely popular, and one could retain 10 fish over 14 inches in length. Most of the time, the fishing was off-the-charts good.
On the Water: Searching for ScallopsThe bay scallop season in waters under the East Hampton Town Trustees’ jurisdiction will open on Sunday at sunrise. Residents holding a town shellfish permit can continue to harvest them until sunset on March 31.
On the Water: Back on the BonesChris Miller at Westlake Marina in Montauk confirmed that the fishing has been good on several fronts. “The bass fishing is holding up,” he said. “Sea bass too have been cooperating, but many are focused on blackfish, which has been very good since the season opened two weeks ago.”