On the morning of Oct. 18, before the winds out of the southwest picked up, I fueled up my Rock Water with 115 gallons of diesel at the Sag Harbor Yacht Club, topping off both of her new twin 90-gallon tanks for the blackfish season, which concludes in mid-December.
I’m ready to fish.
The recent reports about the burly and bulky fish have been excellent. While winds have been a hindrance on many days, those who get out during a weather window have done well.
I will probably refuel again by Nov. 16, as the dock will formally close that day, and will not reopen until early May. It’s the only establishment in Sag Harbor that dispenses diesel.
Right now, I plan to put my lobster traps in the water by the end of March, and I want to ensure I have enough fuel in the tanks until it becomes available again. I don’t want to conk out in the middle of Gardiner’s Bay with empty tanks.
Rock Water will be taken out of the water a few days before Thanksgiving. Looking at my logbook the other day after I filled up, I could confirm that diesel has not been cheap for many years. Back in 2003, I once paid $1.55 per gallon, according to my notes. Yes, you read that right. On Saturday, it was much more expensive.
Sure, there are periodic price spikes and various fluctuations for fuel, but I don’t push Rock Water to more than 12 knots when cruising these days. Slower is not always better, but it sure makes a huge difference on the wallet.
And after retiring eight years ago, I’m no longer in a rush to get places. I can pick my days to go out depending on the weather. I’ve got great flexibility, and I love that.
It used to take me about an hour to travel to Fishers Island to my favorite blackfish haunts off to the east. Today, depending on the tide, it takes me almost 90 minutes. The older I get, the slower I’ve become.
I’m still on the fence about whether to pursue bay scallops when the season opens on Monday in state waters. Everything I’ve heard around the docks is that we will have another very poor season.
On opening day last year, I dredged up a mere 13 scallops after nearly four hours of towing six heavy dredges. Terie and I fought over each scallop I fried up that evening. I lost.
On the local fishing scene, blackfish is the word. Many anglers have experienced full-limit catches with fish reaching eight pounds. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. The fishing will only get better, with even larger fish in the mix, as the water continues to cool down.
The fishing is still best in shallow water, usually between 15 and 30 feet. But don’t be afraid to fish in deeper spots. The fish are there too.
On Sunday, I did my first trip off to the east. I did not venture as far as Fishers Island, but the blackfish bite was productive on some local rock piles near Plum Island. It was an exciting day.
While the bite was tepid to start, the four of us aboard caught a respectable catch, along with some sea bass and even a large triggerfish. Seared Cajun-spiced blackfish was enjoyed that night at home.
Elsewhere, the fall run of striped bass and bluefish has been a bit of a struggle for several weeks, especially at Montauk. But it has recently picked up. There is plenty of bait in the water, so hopefully the stripers will remain in residence for a few more weeks as they migrate to warmer climes to the south.
For porgy and black sea bass bottom-bouncer aficionados, the fishing remains strong. The Viking and other crafts should continue to do well on the prowl beyond the Thanksgiving holiday.
The nighttime jigging for squid continues to be intense. The open boats Montauk Star, Ebb Tide II, and Viking Starlight, which set sail at 7 p.m. out of Montauk, have been landing huge amounts of the cephalopods for their fares.
The Ebb Tide II crew is now even conducting squid trips departing at 1 a.m. from the dock after returning from the 7 p.m. excursions. It’s been decades since I stayed up past midnight. I think I will take the early boat, thank you. Still, it’s a doubleheader for devoted squid heads. Anglers, even novices, have frequently caught over 100 pieces. The action should start to slowly turn off soon.
Back on shore, Ken Morse at Tight Lines Tackle in Southampton and Sag Harbor said surfcasting for stripers has been successful along the ocean beaches.
“Yeah, the stripers have been very cooperative, and it’s great to see,” he said when I picked up a bushel of green crabs for blackfish bait from him the other day. “From Shinnecock to Montauk, the bass are running consistently. Take advantage of the action while they are here.”
Morse also confirmed the recent positive action on blackfish. “It really has been a great start to the season,” he said. “Everywhere from Orient Point to Plum to Fishers Island has had fine fishing, and the action should only improve.”
—
Fishing tips, observations, and photographs can be sent to [email protected].