There is a longstanding superstition that bringing bananas onto a boat brings bad luck while fishing. I strongly agree. Bananas have always been banned on my boat. You have been duly warned: Bring that yellow fruit at your own risk.
But what about when a person of faith or member of the clergy comes aboard? Does that perhaps ensure a great catch?
Well, on Friday aboard Oh Brother!, a Montauk-based charter boat operated by Capt. Rob Aaronson (another anti-banana man), the answer was a resounding “amen.”
On that bright and sunny day, a few women from St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk took Father Liam McDonald, the church’s pastor, on a bottom fishing trip for fluke and sea bass. And the fish were jumping.
The excursion was meant as a thank-you to McDonald, who was recently named to a new position as director of vocations for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He has been the pastor of St. Therese since 2021 and will finish up his duties here in late September.
Maureen Kingston, who works in the church’s nursery school, coordinated the fishing trip. “People would always drop off fresh fish for him, but he’d never gone fishing here,” she said. “So, we thought it would be a great idea to take him out on the water before he leaves.” McDonald gladly accepted the offer.
His background is rather unique. He attended Norwich University and Alfred State College before receiving his degree in architecture and engineering technology. For nearly four years after graduating, he worked as an estimator for a mechanical contractor and during that time began thinking about the priesthood.
For the next two years, he served at the minor seminary in Douglaston before completing his spiritual, pastoral, and academic formation at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. He was ordained in 2017.
Back on the boat, Kingston observed that McDonald had a tough time getting a feel for the fish at first. “He was losing his bait and missing some bites,” she recalled. “But then Rob came down from the bridge and put his arm around him and told him to ‘just let Jesus take the wheel.’ And immediately after that, he began to catch. It was amazing.”
According to Kingston, McDonald ended up catching the largest sea bass on the trip, while his mother, Bonnie, caught the heaviest fluke.
“The fishing was really fantastic that day,” Kingston said. “And it was great to see both of them catch and have a fun time.”
“Father Liam has brought so much joy to everyone,” she said. “He always said that all I need is good coffee and Jesus. He was always so giving of his time for so many and will be sorely missed.”
“Everyone had a great time,” Aaronson said at the end of the trip. “We are all sad to see him leave, but we wish him well.”
No doubt the fishing gods were smiling down that day for McDonald and crew.
Elsewhere, fishing is in typical full summer mode as the water temperatures continue to push higher. Fluke and bass are keeping anglers happy at Montauk, although some days it requires patience to weed through the shorts to find a keeper. Porgy fishing has been good around the Lighthouse and along the south side, but striped bass have gone into their summer slumber and have been scarce.
Due to a conflict, I had to pass up a chance to fish with Aaronson last week on a charter with the usual gang from Sag Harbor. The crew pretty much limited out on sea bass, porgy. and fluke. “The fish didn’t have a chance,” Aaronson reported. “Fishing was excellent.”
Farther off the beach, bluefin tuna has been hit or miss. Cranking diamond jigs and trolling spreader bars remain the ticket. Capt. Tom Cusimano of the charter boat Sea Wife IV did well on Sunday for his fares, landing three out of five bluefins.
Chatter on the docks is of yellowfin tuna off to the southwest and getting closer in range. The best fishing is still near the canyons, where bigeyes are also mixing in.
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Fishing tips, observations, and photographs can be sent to [email protected].