Dan's Papers - July 25, 2008

The marine environment is under assault this summer. Local waters have an encroaching brown tide, an increase in Lion's Mane jellyfish, and unknown bacteria disfiguring lobster shells. The jellyfish arrived earlier than usual in local bays. A quick remedy, if you are stung, is to immediately apply vinegar or an ammonia-and-water solution to the site, so bring this first-aid with you when fishing or swimming.

A story in the Long Island section of this past Sunday's New York Times says the lobster shell-rot is caused by bacteria eating into the lobster's armor. In recent years, up to 30 percent of the lobster catch has been affected; local lobstermen and scientists feel the problem is getting worse. Researchers have not been able to identify the bacteria attacking the lobster shells but the meat, pinkish in color, is safe to eat. It is mostly being used in lobster salads.

There are problems in the coastal waters just south of Long Island. Last week, Associated Press reporter Kristin Wyatt wrote recently Chesapeake Bay blue crabs have decreased 65% since 1990. Maryland and Virginia fishery managers feel this is due to overfishing and water pollution. Chesapeake baymen say their crab catches are diminishing every year, and this is a major blow to that fishery.

Local fishing reports from this past week are good. Ken Morse of Tight Lines Tackle, Sag Harbor, says last weekend's full moon brought great striped bass fishing for boat anglers at Plum Gut, Sluiceway and the Race in Block Island Sound. Anglers used bucktails, trolled parachute jigs and drifted using live porgies and eels. Remember, minimum size for keeping a striped bass is 28 inches in length, and NY State inspectors are checking catches as they come in to the docks.

Ken's client Paul Greenwood, fishing in calm seas on July 16, ran out to Hudson Canyon in his 24-foot center console where he caught and released a 400-pound blue marlin, caught five yellowfin tuna up to 70 pounds each, and a 20-pound bull dolphin fish (mahi mahi).

Scott at East End Bait and Tackle in Hampton Bays reports fluking is good in Shinnecock Bay at the Bay's east cut, the Basket, and by the commercial docks. The fluke are biting on pink bucktails. Ocean fishing was rough due to the tropical depression offshore. Captain Don Kaye says the storm sent bait poring into Shinnecock with bluefish right on their tails.

In the Peconic bays, porgy fishing is good around Robins Island but clam chumming is a must to hold the fish under the boat. There are still some weakfish off Roses Grove.

John at Jamesport Bait and Tackle tells us there are plenty of stripers being caught with live eels and bunker chunks at the Race and Sluiceway, and at Horton Point. Harvey Bennett of Amagansett's Tackle Shop is guiding clients to fish by kayak, boat and beach surfcasting in Accabonac and Napeague Harbor, Gardiner's Bay and the ocean.

Montauk's charter fleet did well last week catching fluke and striped bass even though the ocean had huge swells. Paulie's Tackle Shop reports Richard Michelson weighed in a 42.5-pound striped bass caught from his boat off Montauk. The Viking fleet's clients caught fluke six to eight pounds and the Miss Montauk had a 9.25-pound fluke. The Lazy Bones boated a 10-pound fluke. A bluefin tuna weighing 25 pounds was caught by a private boat out of West Lake Marina.

We welcome your fishing comments and questions at YeOldeSalt@aol.com.