Dan's Papers - May 30, 2008

The spring fishing season opened with a change in New York State fishing regulations and higher gas prices. Sportsfishermen and commercial fishermen have been very concerned about the possible closing of the fluke fishery, but the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission just approved a fluke season from May 15 to September 1 allowing four fish per sportsfishing person per day of at least 20.5 inches and larger. The regulations are enforced by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Porgy (scup) fishing season is now May 24 to September 26 with a 10-fish per sportsfisherman per day limit. Charter boats' season for porgy fishing is June 12 to October 15. Striped bass season is April 15 through December 15, and the limit is one fish between 28 and 40 inches per day, and one fish more than 40 inches per day. Blackfishing season is now closed but will re-open October 1 (limited now to four fish per sportsman). Blue fishing is open season year-round.

Scott of East End Bait & Tackle in Hampton Bays says keeper-sized striped bass are being caught at the Ponquogue Bridge in Shinnecock Bay on top-water plugs, bunker chunks and clams, and there is good fluke fishing in the Peconic Bays.

Ken Morse of Tight Lines Tackle, Sag Harbor, reports two large fluke caught in bay waters by anglers in boats: a 6.5-pound fluke off Cedar Point and 9.5-pound fluke off of Greenport. Ken also weighed in a 28-pound striped bass caught with trolling wire off the North Haven side of the South Ferry slip, and a 35-pound striper caught off the beach.

George Pharoah, one of this region's best fishermen, has been catching loads of fluke and bluefish in the Cedar Point area.

Linda at Jamesport Bait & Tackle says fluking has been good in the "Greenlawns," "Shell Factory," and "Oyster Factory" areas of the Peconic bays between Shelter Island and Greenport to Orient Point. She also tells us she weighed in a 23-pound and 40-pound striped bass caught by boat anglers. Customers have been bringing in several large porgies - some up to seven pounds - to be weighed.

Harvey Bennett of Amagansett's Tackle Shop tells us there are plenty of legal-size fluke in Napeague Bay waters and his kayaking friend Ed Cashin has been catching fluke in the same area. Harvey also says surfcasters have been reeling in striped bass on the ocean beaches.

Paulie A. of Paulie's Tackle Shop, Montauk, is hosting a spring bass tournament June 13-15. Paulie says local anglers are catching bluefish off ocean beaches in the late afternoon. Fishermen on party boat Sea Otter IV of Montauk are catching fluke up to five pounds, the Lazy Bones' pool winner last week had a fluke of 6.8 pounds, and the Miss Montauk's pool winner had an 8.5 pound fluke. The Montauk charter boat ADAH-K had a client land a striped bass weighing 56.2 pounds. There are even flounder in Lake Montauk being caught with mussels and worms, and Montauk fishing photojournalist Jack Yee reports angler Tom Wares caught a 50.5-pound striper off Napeague with clams at noon this past Monday.

The best places for up-to-the minute fishing reports are the local bait and tackle dealers. This column welcomes your fishing news or questions, and we look forward to a successful fishing season.