Montauk Pioneer - May 8, 2009 - The Word At Paulie's

"Yeah, it's happenin'," announced Paul. "Two bass keepers were caught this week, one by Eric the Treeman on the south side sand beaches and the other at the Ditch Plains Jetties."

Also reported were schoolies landed by "Sand Beach Bob" and "Sandman Glen," west of Paulie's. nine-pound bluefish were hooked at Culloden, not to mention the squid at Rough Riders Dock.

And so the beautiful month of May, bursting with feathery soft green and white foliage and blue-gray or sparkling teal waters of the Atlantic, Block Island Sound and Fort Pond Bay, welcomes the anglers again for another unforgettable, exciting fishing season in Montauk, which has been crowned, "the surf fishing capital of the world".

As two of Paulie's gang, Ray Clifford says, "Fishing in Montauk means heaven on earth to me," and Chris Travelli exclaimed, "It's more than life itself."

Legendary Montauk surfcaster, Marshall Helfand, returning from his Florida winter home, made his first stop at Paulie's and was among some of the surfcasters who were welcomed again this week with exuberant hugs and kisses from everyone's favorite, Susan Jappell. Someone remarked, "So much water...so little time." But by the way things are rolling at Paulie's, the guys are pretty well set to do what they love best.

A small percentage of the surfcasters are blessed with the coveted title of "sharpie." As Jack Yee, the godfather of Montauk surfcasting explains, a fisherman has to earn this label. It is one thing to be known as a good fisherman, it is quite another to be known as a sharpie.

Well, what does it take? Sharpies are ones who have perfected their tactics, methods and equipment and have a knowledgeable understanding of the tides, surf conditions, lunar phases, weather, barometric variances and years of experience. They understand their magnificent fish, its forage and they work at the art of fooling the fish.

To be called a sharpie, one has the right to be proud of their accomplishments and to be protective of the knowledge they have worked so hard to learn and absorb. It is definitely the how, when and where that sets these trophy fishermen apart from the others. A sharpie may be a loner, he may be one to use the essential bucktail or custom made wooden lures, or he may craft his own lures in secret.

Paulie's carries hundreds of lures: The polaris, a type of wooden lure made by Gibbs, and the very productive and plastic Superstrike are great sellers. Right now, diamond jigs, tins and bucktails are perfect for the sand beaches and back to the southside rocks.

Waders and wetsuits come in many choices at Paulie's. Neoprene and rubber waders with thick winter mills or thinner summer mills are available with or without attached boots and cleats. Those who have safety as a top priority, and sometimes swim near rocks, wear wetsuits. Jetties and waders don't mix; wading belts offer little help if you decide to go for a swim. Carrying a few gallons of water in your waders isn't fun either.

Sharpies, good fishermen, even a hack or two and the "googins" will soon be fishing the areas shown here on the Montauk Point fishing map. Get ready for the way Paulie's gang describes the googins' in next week's issue.

You all catch 'em up. We'll catch you again next week.