We are in full-scale summer mode as August approaches. In Montauk stripers are still running, and the same is true for fluke and a plethora of undersize sea bass.
Fishing
On the Water: Crab King and Big StripersI trapped 15 lobsters on July 8. That was the good news. The bad was that the Yanmar diesel engine on my Rock Water encountered problems on the return trip to Sag Harbor.
Michael Potts: Montauk Fishing Legend of the YearIt’s appropriate that Michael Potts will be honored on Sunday afternoon as the Montauk Fishing Legend of the Year at the Montauk Grand Slam fishing tournament that Henry Uihlein has hosted at his marina for nearly three decades.
On the Water: A New ApprenticeMy good friend Robert Cugini, who hails from Seattle, has served as a valued deckhand for many years when bay scallop season opens in early November. But lobsters are a different ballgame.
On the Water: Fish Aplenty, Egos Too I know that the East End is a well-known hot spot. I realize that nothing stays the same, but I miss the more simple days when courtesy, respect, and kindness ruled the road and water. Is it too much to ask for today?
On the Water: Heat on the WaterThe recent heat wave zapped my energy for getting on the Rock Water and wetting a fishing line. But I sucked it up and checked on my lobster traps anyway.
On the Water: A Tow Back HomeAfter a good catch of bluefish, I steered back to port in Sag Harbor, but my engine stalled out a few minutes later. Not good.
On the Water: Be Kind to Sharks (and Giant Crabs)The D.E.C. has announced changes to recreational fishing regulations to improve management of protected shark species. Plus, a record blue-claw crab hits the counter at Tight Lines Tackle.
On the Water: Help for KelpIn local waters there has been a decrease of kelp, much of which was typically found from the east side of Gardiner’s Island all the way to Montauk. A new project looks to change this.
On the Water: Breakdowns AplentyFishing-wise, things are much better than my 62-year-old body or my Jeep Wrangler’s transmission.
On the Water: Thar Be Blows!Blowfish are one of the tastiest local fish in our warming waters as we jump from spring to summer. They are one of the cheapest fish at the markets, too.
On the Water: I Was RobbedI was supposed to take my boat to check my lobster traps. It had been about 10 days. I also planned to do some diamond jigging for striped bass in Plum Gut. None of it happened.