Last Thursday morning dawned bright and clear. There was a whiff of cool wind, minus the smoke, emanating from the north — from Canada to be exact — our longtime friendly neighbor.
It’s still July, but it felt like an early harbinger of September as the temperature was just 54 degrees when I got out of bed. For the first time in months, a light, long-sleeved shirt would be needed.
The benign weather was a welcome relief, as just the day before, the dank and dark conditions were tropical-like. To top it off, the winds were blowing strong from the southwest and mixed in with a thunderstorm or two. It was not a day for fishing, sailing, or any on-the-water activities.
But last Thursday was a different story, and it was finally time to wet a line aboard Rock Water. I had not taken her out in nearly two months. A medical issue cropped up limiting my activities, including tennis and even driving. Hopefully the doctors will shortly solve the riddle.
A few days earlier I placed a call to Sebastian Gorgone to get a fishing report. Gorgone is the genial proprietor of Mrs. Sam’s Bait and Tackle in East Hampton. He always keeps his eyes and ears close to the water line for the latest news, rumors, and half-truths.
“I’ve heard of fluke around Cedar Point and porgies are biting well in that neighborhood too,” he said. “Good luck and catch ‘em up.”
Ray Sperling, my regular deckhand, picked me up at my house on North Haven. The ride to the marina was unusually quick, as the trade parade of trucks, vans, and cars was light as we crossed over the Lance Cpl. Jordon C. Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge to Sag Harbor.
I did not plan to take Rock Water far. The ride northeast to the Cedar Point lighthouse only took about 15 minutes. But upon arrival, the wind was working against the tide, negating any kind of productive drift for fluke. Those conditions would work well, however, to catch porgies without dropping anchor and using chum pot.
It only took a minute or two to scan the fish finder and see that that bottom was paved with porgies. With nary another boat in sight, it was time to drop our hi-lo rigs baited with sliced skimmer clams into the 72-degree water.
In a matter of seconds Ray latched into a spunky porgy. He was using a new, lightweight rod and reel I lent him and he enjoyed the fight. The porgy was close to two pounds. A moment later, I had a fish on. For the next 90 minutes, it was a lock-and-load porgy-palooza.
“This was the best porgy bite I’ve seen in many years,” I said to Ray on the ride back to the dock. “I even lost count of how many double-headers I had.” He agreed. After a very poor showing of porgies this spring, it’s nice to see them finally here en masse.
We only made four short drifts, but each succeeding one was better than the previous. We retained 10 fish each. Enough was enough.
In case you were wondering, recreational anglers on private vessels are allowed to retain 30 porgies over 11 inches. If fishing from shore, the minimum size is 9.5 inches.
I hope to get out again for another local excursion before I head back to Manhattan for more medical fun. Hopefully the porgies will still be there when I return.
Montauk is also chockablock with porgies. Full limits are the norm for many anglers.
On Saturday, Capt. Hugh Chancey of Chancey Charters put his fares on a pile of jumbo porgies up to three pounds. “If you like porgies, now is the time because it’s as good as it gets!” he said.
Besides being a saltwater sharpie pursuing everything from striped bass to porgies, Adam Giunta, 13, of Montauk is also incredibly proficient in catching freshwater fish. Walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass are his main quarry, and he’s darn good at it. Viewing some of his recent catches with his trademark broad smile is proof.
Anglers in Montauk completely overlook the freshwater action that’s here. Fort Pond, just off downtown Montauk, is a particular hot spot. But I’m sure Giunta also has some other secret lairs he keeps in his back pocket.
He also has an excellent tutor: his father, Capt. Dan Giunta of the Double D, a popular Montauk charter boat.
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Fishing tips, observations, and photographs can be sent to [email protected].