Dan's Papers - June 13, 2008

Tests for a resurgence of brown tide, the algae growth that absorbs oxygen in fishing waters and results in the death of fish and shellfish, are positive for Great South Bay, Moriches Bay, Quantuck Bay, and western Shinnecock Bay west of the Ponquogue Bridge. Dr. Chris Gobler, a marine biologist from Stony Brook's School of Marine and Applied Sciences, states the pernicious marine plant was found in moderate to high concentrations in these waters.

Blooms, which make the water coffee-colored, normally start in late April and typically continue throughout the summer. The Nature Conservancy of Long Island says brown tide levels in Shinnecock and Great South Bays will result in lower clam spawning rates this year (the Conservancy has been seeding these waters with clams since 2004). However, brown tide does well in cooler waters, so perhaps this week's heat wave will kill off some of the algae.

Despite the brown tide outbreak, fishing in the East End waters has been very good. Striped bass, bluefish, porgies, fluke, and some weakfish are being caught by both boat anglers and surf fisherman. This past weekend, Paulie A. of Paulie's Tackle Shop in Montauk, weighed in a 33-pound striper caught off the beach by Joe Sapienza, and an 18.8 striper for Dan of Ducks Unlimited.

Montauk party boats Sea Otter, Miss Montauk, Flying Cloud, and the Lazy Bones had good hauls of fluke, and Montauk charter boat Top Hook limited out on striped bass and loads of bluefish.

Scott of East End Bait & Tackle in Hampton Bays says the fluke bite is on in Shinnecock Bay, both east and west of the Ponquogue Bridge, and at the ocean inlet. Striped bass are also at the bridge and inlet, averaging 15 pounds. Large porgies are being caught in Peconic Bay around Rogers Rock on clam chum.

Shinnecock Bay guide Capt. Don Kaye found loads of bait being chased by bluefish and stripers. Shinnecock Star anglers caught many fluke in the bay, but a lot of them were undersized, so the Star will now be heading out of the inlet and into ocean waters in hopes of catching some larger fluke.

Ken Morse of Tight Lines Tackle in Sag Harbor reported clients bringing in fluke of up to 26 inches caught on boats drifting off the "greenlawns" section of Shelter Island, and one customer saw commercial "pinhookers" in western Peconic Bay working a deep hole that yielded many large weakfish and porgies.

Linda at Jamesport Bait & Tackle weighed in a 14-pound weakfish caught in the south Race area off Robins Island, and a 23-pound striper caught off the South Jamesport beach. She also tells us fluking is good in the Peconics, and porgies are being caught at the Mattituck Sound inlet.

The U.S. Coast Guard station in Montauk is holding an open house this Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be information on boating safety, aids of navigation, and tours.

Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Applied Science has been offering a spring series of talks in Southampton open to the public. Dr. Michael J. Frisk, assistant professor in the School of Marine and Applied Sciences, spoke last Friday evening about the decrease in winter flounder in Shinnecock Bay over the last several years. Based on his preliminary data, he attributes the diminution to over fishing, natural predators, and cyclical climate conditions. He believes we must work toward winter flounder sustainability, but he also gave several reasons why he does not support the introduction of fishery-spawned stock as a solution, even when bred from local flounder. This informative lecture series will resume in the fall.