Montauk Fishing

by Eugenia Bartell

There is no doubt that the Montauk fishing season is almost over. "It has been a long, long time from May to December, and the days grow short when you reach September."

As we recall these words from the famous "September Song," the days are dwindling down to a precious few since December 15th will mark the time when a fisherman may catch but release stripers. It is this time of year when surfcasters and boat fishermen begin to count the most challenging and exhilarating remaining fishing days left before they hang up their poles.

The countdown begins in middle September when a 1,000-mile convoy of blues, stripers, albacore and anchovies pass by Montauk Point on their long journey south. It is the time known as the largest wildlife migration on planet earth.

From September to December 1st, the Montauk Locals Invitational Stripe Bass Fishing Tournament is the last event of the season. Paulie's Tackle Shop and Star Island Yacht Club are the official weigh-in stations for this competition, which has been held for twenty-five years.

Hoping to "stretch" the season, Bob Hoffman, one of Paulie's gang remarked, "The fat lady hasn't sung yet but she's warming up back stage." And "the Toad" never at a loss for words or fish said, "It's over because the broad has lost her voice."

But optimistic Willie Young, the champion angler who caught the winning 52lb 12 oz bass during Paulie's Tackle Shop October Tournament, announced, "It's never over!"

This group of charismatic fishermen including Freddie Kalkstein, aka "The Eel Man," didn't offer an opinion since he claimed he was in the witness protection program.

On December 13th at East by Northeast, the Award Ceremonies will celebrate the closing tournament during a cocktail hour and dinner followed by presentations from Joe Gaviola, Atilla Ozturk, and Freddie Kalkstein. To be sure, the evening will be sprinkled with all sorts of fish seasonings, and knee slapping hilarity.

One of the evening's highlights will include Jack Yee's Photo Show. Montauk's beloved, fishing legend will present a slide show of over 200 photos he snapped throughout this tournament. As of now Yee's photos will show the likely winners in the five categories. In the Kid's division, Dylan Lackner is 1st with James Kim and Griffin Kim getting 2nd and 3rd. Taylor Harned is 1st, Ben McCarran 2nd, and Jonathan Pharoah in the Youths. In the Ladies, Loretta Sears is 1st and Cheryl Acken is 2nd. Men's Wet Suits has Freddie Kalkstein on top and in Men's Waders it is Willie Young 1st, then Mark Foschi 2nd and Gary "Toad" Stephans 3rd.

Is there still time to catch the BIG BASS? Although one of the surfcaster's heroes, "the toad" feels there's no fish in the rips, buddy Geoff Bowen believes "we have one more shot!" The appearance of the herring and gannets, the signal that will announce the last chance, is hopefully soon to be seen, and when this happens the BIG SHOW of the largest bass could take center stage before these sleek, silvery streaks - the most pursued fish of all, swim south.

As the days dwindle down, a few charter and party boats accommodate their waning group of customers: Captain Mark, Suzie E, Viking, Marlin Princess, Miss Montauk, Lazy Bones and the Ebb Tide. Jack Yee continues to meet, greet and photograph until the late frigid December winds whip the surf too dangerously.

Paul Apostiledes' gang of locals, sharpies, surf rats and loyal east coast customers who've fished many a nor'easter from frozen seaweed rocks and icy beaches for just that one more fish will rub their chapped hands and red-raw cheeks inside Paulie's Tackle Shop while drinking a cup of coffee and dreaming of the spring.

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