Dan's Papers - June 15, 2007 -

Four shark fishing tournaments are scheduled over the next three months. The first is at Star Island Yacht Club, Montauk, June 15 and 16. The next is at Montauk Marine Basin on June 29 and 30. The third tournament is sponsored by the Montauk Boatmen's Association on July 14 and 15. Star Island is also holding a Mako shark tournament August 10 to 11. There is some controversy because these are not catch-and-release tournaments, according to The Humane Society. They urge tournament officials to look into changing to catch-and-release format.

Here is a summary of where the action is expected this week. Fluke fishing should still be strong in Shinnecock Bay and the striped bass are in. Stripers are also at Moriches inlet. Porgies (scup) up to three pounds are reported at Rogers Rock and Nassau Point in the Peconic bays. There are also large porgies in Gardiner's Bay. (Porgy season opened June 1 and minimum size is 10.5 inches with a catch limit of 25 fish per fisherman per day.) Fluke, bluefish and stripers are in Montauk waters.

Ken Morse of Tight Lines Tackle, Sag Harbor, says fluke up to 24 inches are being caught in the Harbor on outgoing tides. Striped bass up to 30 pounds are being caught under the North Haven bridge on bunker. Boats trolling with lures near the South Ferry slip are also catching bass. (Minimum size striped bass is 28 inches and a second fish per day is allowed if it is 40 inches or longer.)

Brian at East End Bait and Tackle in Hampton Bays reports striped bass biting in Shinnecock inlet on live bunker. Stripers are also being caught on clam bellies at the Ponquogue Bridge. Fluke are still in the east cut of Shinnecock Bay as well as in 90 feet of water outside the inlet.

Harvey Bennett of Amagansett's Tackle Shop says bluefish, stripers and fluke are at the Ruins in Gardiner's Bay. Paulie of Paulie's Tackle in Montauk reports bluefish off the ocean beaches and near the Point. Striped bass were also in the surf last weekend and at Ditch Plains. Large fluke are at Shagwong Point.

I fished midweek in the east cut of Shinnecock Bay with John Locke and Bud Schaler of Water Mill. I caught a 19-inch fluke, which had to be released (minimum size is 19.5 inches). John caught a 21-inch fluke and Bud caught a cocktail bluefish. I was the only one who couldn't bring home dinner!