Without a doubt, sharks have garnered quite a bit of negative media attention, especially the past few summers. While they’re just swimming around nonchalantly minding their own business, their mere presence, when noted by fishermen, lifeguards, drones, and a few swimmers, has once again raised some over-oxygenated anxiety.
Fact, fiction, and even a good dose of humor abound with sharks. Roy Scheider’s (Chief Martin Brody) unscripted, ad-libbed line — “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” in the movie “Jaws” — still has its bite. Shark Week, which starts on Sunday on the Discovery Channel, chums up a ton of viewers. Bruce, the lovable vegetarian Great White in the animated movie “Finding Nemo,” conjures up a far cuddlier version of the alleged man-eater.
I’m not sure who their press agent is, but sharks may want to school up and secure better representation. Frankly, a lot of the concerns thrown at them are overblown.
The fact of the matter is that New York’s marine waters are home to 13 different species of sharks. By entering the water, we are on their turf, so to speak. Millions of people swim in the ocean every year, yet shark incidents remain exceptionally low.
Taking a peek at the odds board, statistics say your risk of being killed by a shark are about one in four million. People are significantly more likely to be killed by a bee sting or even a dog bite. In the United States alone, a person is 50 times more likely to die from a lightning strike and 10 times more likely to die from a fireworks accident. Personally, I like my odds when I take a dip at Sagg Main Beach.
But some anglers, especially at Montauk, are once again lamenting the fact that sharks are feasting on the fish they’re reeling in. Just last week, Capt. Tom Cusimano of the Sea Wife IV filmed a hefty mako shark cleanly chopping in half a striped bass that was about to be landed.
It was the same scenario on the Ebb Tide Princess, where an angler’s sea bass made a tasty appetizer for a 250-pound dusky shark. Other drive-by munchings have been noted, too. It’s a fish-eat-fish world.
In the summer months, sharks come closer to shore to follow food like striped bass, find clean waters, or utilize shallower areas for mating and pupping. In the past few years, marine scientists have determined that the waters south of Long Island are home to one of the few white shark nurseries in the world.
Sharks have always been there. The increased sightings are more due to a rise in human coastal recreation and the increasingly widespread use of technology, especially drones, making these ever-present coastal movements more visible to the public.
The number of anglers focused on dropping a chum bucket over the gunnel to fish for sharks has decreased dramatically in recent years. Back in 1975, “Jaws” spawned a huge interest in fishing for the denizens of the deep that lasted for several decades. But interest has significantly waned in recent years, especially following a moratorium on the retention of the tasty mako shark. Most anglers are now focused on pursuing tuna such as yellowfin, bluefin, and bigeyes.
Speaking of tuna, a popular tournament is just around the corner. From Aug. 1 through 9, the Montauk Boatmen and Captains Association will once again host its popular Bluefin Tuna/Fluke Blowout tournament. The weigh-in stations are at Westlake Marina and the Montauk Anglers Club. More information and registration details can be had at montaukcaptains.org or by calling Capt. Dan Giunta at 631-678-3960.
And as for fluke, the bite, especially at Montauk and beyond, has improved recently.
“It was arguably the best fluke fishing I’ve seen when it comes to quantity and purity,” said Capt. Anthony D’Arrigo of the Ebb Tide Princess, after Friday’s trip to Block Island. “The average catch was 30 to 35 fluke per person, but fish between 16 and 18 inches dominated.”
Anglers can retain three fluke over 19 inches. On Aug. 1, the minimum size increases to 19.5 inches. “But I’d rather weed through fluke than weed through sea robins, scup, and tiny sea bass,” he added. “We also had some beautiful sea bass.”
Over at Mrs. Sam’s Bait and Tackle in East Hampton, the proprietor, Sebastian Gorgone, said that small bluefish and striped bass are running well inside Three Mile Harbor and along Sammy’s Beach. “Fluke can also be had around Cedar Point and I’m selling a lot of clam bait for those who want to catch striped bass from the ocean surf,” he added. “Bluefish and hickory shad are in the wash too.”
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Fishing tips, observations, and photographs can be sent to [email protected].