A few days ago, I received a text message from Capt. Harvey Bennett. Bennett was the longtime proprietor of the Tackle Shop in Amagansett. The message was brief and to the point: “The snappers are in!”
I wasn’t surprised. Typically, by now, those baby bluefish should be in our local back bays and coves feasting on young-of-the-year spearing. The snappers, now topping out around 4 to 5 inches in length, will have grown to about a pound or more in weight by next summer when they’ll be renamed cocktail blues.
I responded that it was great news, but noted that fewer people, especially kids, take part in snapper fishing these days. For many in my age group, best known as old, snapper fishing was a summer rite growing up. Not so much today.
Back then, our rickety communal dock here in North Haven would be packed elbow to elbow with us kids fishing for the frisky silver-sided fish. Adult supervision was not required. We knew what to do and helped each other.
It was summer and the fishing was easy. Blowfish, eels, kingfish, porgy, and weakfish were also landed on occasion. The laughs, smiles, and memories endure.
My fishing pole was simple — a six-foot piece of bamboo that I had reclaimed off the beach. The pole had broken off from where it marked part of the long-gone Greenport Oyster Company commercial oyster beds in front of our house.
My father tied an eight-foot piece of kite string to the narrow tip of the bamboo and affixed a red and white floating bobber and a long-shanked snapper hook to it. Voila! Just like Huck Finn, I had my very own fishing pole.
It was a different world back then. I haven’t seen a bamboo pole in decades, and much like the once-plentiful winter flounder, I worry that there’s also a dwindling number of kids in the next generation who will fish for snappers. That simple summer pastime may be in the rearview mirror. And that’s unfortunate.
To amplify this, a recent study conducted by the American Sportfishing Association found that the number of people fishing in 2025 fell by about 1.5 percent, the first decline since 2021. All told, about 19 million people stopped fishing last year, which was the largest decline ever recorded.
I’m no marine data scientist, but I’ve certainly witnessed this decline. In my region of Shelter Island Sound, other than a few who try for striped bass in the spring, hardly a person fishes for fluke, weakfish, or adult-size bluefish.
On occasion, I will see a boat or two dunking clam baits for porgy, but the waterways are now filled with larger and larger pleasure crafts and yachts that leave huge wakes. The only fish on board is what’s being served for dinner.
When the snappers get a bit larger in September, I’d like to try my luck again. My bamboo pole is long gone, but I’ve got a light spinning outfit in the basement that I can dust off as I try to recapture those days of yore.
The Montauk Boatmen and Captains Association recently concluded its second annual Bluefin/Fluke Blowout Tournament. The weeklong event had almost 30 boats entered, in which each one weighed in its five largest fluke and/or the cumulative weight of two bluefins.
In the fluke category, Capt. Paul Giangreco of the Fisherman II nudged out Capt. Frank Shea of the Infinsible to take top honors. Bad Daddy, under the helm of Capt. Frank Mayer, took the show position. Giangreco also landed the largest fluke, which weighed in at 7.8 pounds.
Capt. Sean McSwiggan of the Lady Grace came out on top in the bluefin section, followed by Capt. Ben McCarron of the Push the Limit. Coming in third was Trophy Hunter, skippered by Capt. Mike Larson. McSwiggan also landed the largest bluefin in the tournament, tipping the scales at 86.9 pounds.
“The tournament was a great success and a lot of fun,” said Capt. Dan Giunta of the Double D, who helped coordinate it. “It was a real nice turnout of boats, but I’d love to see more enter the youth segment next year. We have some great prizes for the largest fluke and bluefin.”
For those not in the know, the Montauk Boatmen and Captains Association is steeped in local fishing matters. “For over 60 years, the M.B.C.A. has represented the best interests of our captains to ensure long-term and equal access to our local fisheries,” added Giunta. “We welcome new members who want to join us in supporting the best interests of our local captains and fishermen.” The association’s website is montaukcaptains.org.
Sebastian Gorgone of Mrs. Sam’s Bait and Tackle in East Hampton was in full summertime mode when I chatted with him on Monday. “Fluke fishing has really taken off and it’s been good in the Napeague area as well as on the ocean side,” he said. “Snappers are in along with cocktail blues and Gerard Drive has been a consistent spot for the casters. Blowfish and blue-claw crabs are showing up in greater consistency too.”
Gorgone also said that mahimahi have shown up offshore and tuna action remains upbeat.
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Fishing tips, observations, and photographs can be sent to [email protected].