While I may be the weekly fishing columnist for this longstanding newspaper, truth be told, I’ve done very little with a rod and reel in my hand on my Rock Water this season. And that’s not good.
Guilty as charged, I have few excuses to offer. Sorry, folks, for the lack of personal fishing exploits from this aging scribe, whether I catch or, most likely, end up with an empty bucket. That’s why fish markets are readily available here on the East End. They always have fish to buy when one gets skunked.
Looking back, I have not fished so few days since I started college in Buffalo in 1980. Playing ice hockey was my main concern back then, nothing more, nothing less. I still scratch my now follically challenged cranium on how I even received a bachelor’s degree in communications, as I no doubt spent more time on the ice rink than at a classroom desk.
Now, due to various circumstances beyond my control, I did not even drop my lobster traps into the drink this year. My season has truly been a bust on so many levels.
From what I’ve heard from several local commercial fishermen, the lobster catch was much better than anticipated in my regulated management area off to the northeast. Oh well, there’s always next year. The fresh lobster rolls will have to wait.
And given the bleak outlook once again for the bay scallop season opening in November, it’s highly doubtful I will lug my iron scallop dredges out of the basement to scrape up a dinner. It’s just not worth the effort for a few of our beloved, once-prominent local bivalves. But we shall see.
At this point, I’m beginning to focus on the opening for blackfish. It’s just around the corner, starting on Oct. 11 in Long Island Sound. Anglers can retain three fish over 16 inches. Elsewhere in New York waters, it starts on Oct. 15. There, fishermen can keep four fish of over 16 inches.
I look forward to it. While fall weather brings increased blustery winds and fewer fishable days, I particularly enjoy the pursuit of blackfish — it’s my favorite other than codfish. Hiding in their rocky lairs, they are savvy bait stealers, sneaky good. Anglers need to be patient and ignore the initial small pecks and taps on the fishing rod as a blackfish tries to consume a baited green crab — wait for that robust, solid tug when one has inhaled the bait. They are perhaps the most challenging fish to catch in our local waters.
But before we drop a line for blackfish, other species are on the feed before they exit the waters here. Fluke are biting well, especially for those who set sail from Montauk.
Over the weekend, the Montauk Star, a full-day party boat, witnessed some solid catches in perfect drifting conditions. “We put the heat on them, with many limits around putting quality pieces in buckets and coolers,” remarked Capt. Mark Ryckman. “We had great conditions along with quality production.” He added that the fluke landed have weighed up to eight pounds of late.
Other party boats such as the Lazybones, Ebb Tide II, Miss Montauk II, and the Viking Star have also taken part in the recent robust run of the tasty flatfish. Note that the season for fluke concludes on Oct. 15. Catch ‘em while they’re here.
Want to catch a hard-fighting false albacore? Now is the time. They are running chock-a-block thick on the north side of Montauk. Light-tackle anglers say it’s been the best run of albies in several years. The speedsters have put many smiles upon fishermen.
“The bite has been great for albies at Montauk and towards Gardiner’s Island,” said Sebastian Gorgone, the owner of Mrs. Sam’s Bait and Tackle in East Hampton. “It’s been the best in many years.”
“Bluefish and hickory shad are also running well along the ocean beaches, along with some striped bass,” he added. “The fall run has begun.”
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Fishing tips, observations, and photographs can be sent to [email protected].