Montauk Pioneer - June 12, 2009 - The Word At Paulies

"What's happenin'?" Paul asked Brian Lee, a senior at Amherst, when he came back from fishing Turtle Cove during a blitz at the high-water mark into the outgoing tide last Wednesday afternoon.

"The bass and blues were going nuts feeding on herring and spearing," answered the young fisherman who has fished Montauk commercially for the past three summers on the Viking. "I'm in love with Montauk," he announced with a big grin.

The fishing frenzy continued all week with blues and bass up to 20 lbs. at Turtle Cove during the bad weather. "Hey, it doesn't matter to the fish if it's sunny or raining. They're always wet," joked one surfcaster dude. On Saturday, the party boats came in with lots of sea bass and fluke while the charter boats brought in blues and bass. Not too many players around this past week on the boats or on the beaches, but just wait until next week.

The New York Post's Ken Moran is fascinated by Montauk; in his Wednesday column headlined "Montauk Fishermen Grab Bass," he reported amazing catches for so early on in the season and, of course, mentioned Paulie's Tackle Shop as the place to weigh in your catch.

Even before the sun came out on Saturday, Paulie's parking area was jammed. Remember your favorite local diner or bar where you could hang out and chat away? Well, that's the way it is at Paulie's. No stools to sit on, no counters to rest your elbows on, standing room only; but when it's sunny and warm you can sit outside on the green patio chairs or lean against the railing while you drink coffee or a cold one, smoke a cigarette or a cigar and shoot the fishing chatter. No lights dim here, there is no closing hour; stay as long as you like for this is Paulie's, where the talk and fun never stop. On Saturday, last fall's tournament winner and sharpie, Willie Young, joined the group outside with his arm in a cast but assured everyone that he "will be ready for Paulie's October Tournament." Willie's 52.10 lb. bass caught at midnight last fall thrilled everybody.

Right now the plans are in full swing for Paulie's 2nd Annual Striped Bass Surfcasting Tournament which begins at noon on Friday June 12th and ends Sunday June 14th at 10:00 a.m. Sponsered by premium companies such as Van Staal, Aqua Skinz, Superstike Lures, Point Jude, and Jack Yee to name a few, this event promises to be 46 hours of non-stop fishing from Napeague Bay east, all along the north and south shores to the Point.

The Award Ceremonies with returning Master of Ceremonies, Gary "The Toad" Stephens, who will present cash and tackle prizes and no doubt entertain the crowd, will begin Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Legendary "Dr. Jack Yee" will demonstrate "Lesson 2 - Fishing-Hook Removal" and lunch will be served at noon. Needless to say, this is definitely going to be a fishing weekend to remember.

No doubt about it - it's all about going after the big one, but it is also a time for the fisherman to get together, reminisce, repeat jokes, tell more tall tales, and bond with those who talk the talk and walk the walk.

Fishing, entertainment, prizes, speeches and food; Paul Apostolides and Susan Jappell have planned and will execute a memorable, professional, and exciting Spring Bass Tournament.