It’s tuna time. Fishing this summer for various species of tuna, including albacore, yellowfin, bigeye, and bluefin, has been the best witnessed in many years. With a few exceptions, the catches have been consistent and it looks like it will continue well into the upcoming fall season. It’s a welcome change from the dour results of previous seasons.
But the best news of late is the current bluefin bite going on anywhere from 5 to 11 miles southeast of Montauk, a very short distance to port. And when the weather allows, the fishing has been consistent, with fish ranging from 50 to 100 pounds being landed on a regular basis.
“It’s the best local bite in over 10 years,” remarked Capt. Michael Potts of the charter boat Bluefin IV. “There were a bunch of scallop boats working the area a few weeks ago and it seemed to draw the fish in. One day out there I’m sure we could have caught 30 of them if we had wanted to.”
Bluefin have a strong appetite for the sea scallops and discarded small fish after the heavy iron dredges of the dragger are retrieved off the bottom and culled on board. The combination of the dead fish and the freshly shucked innards of the scallops creates a natural chum slick for the hungry fish to feed on. It’s an easy meal. At times, the bluefins can literally be fed boatside by hand during such feeding frenzies. It’s a spectacle to witness.
“We have had a ball catching them on bait with even spinning gear,” added the veteran captain, whose fares caught two more on Saturday. “It’s not often you see this type of fishing so close to shore. I hope it lasts for a while.”
A number of other Montauk charter boats have cashed in on the action. Last Thursday, Capt. Richard Etzel of the Breakaway put his fares into five bluefins up to 100 pounds.
Bluefin are a highly regulated species and permits are required to fish for them. For private Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category-permitted vessels, the retention limit is two school bluefin tuna (27 to less than 47 inches) and one large school/small medium bluefin (47 to less than 73 inches). For those fishing with an H.M.S. Charter/Head boat category permit when fishing recreationally, the limit is three tuna (27 to less than 47 inches) and one large school/small medium bluefin (47 to less than 73 inches).
Another species of tuna, false albacore, a favorite of light-tackle enthusiasts, has also made its presence known of late.
“The albies are in thick,” confirmed Capt. Tim O’Rourke of Montauk Point Fly Fishing. “It’s been a solid mix of albies, bonito, and Spanish mackerel, plus plenty of school bass. It’s setting up to be an incredible fall run for fly-fishing and light tackle.”
“This past weekend was great,” said Capt. David Blinken of Northflats Guiding. “Striped bass, false albacore, and bluefish were everywhere on the south side of Montauk. They all came in hungry.”
“The albies have shown up big time,” agreed Harvey Bennett of the Tackle Shop in Amagansett. “They are everywhere from the north side of Plum Island, to Accabonac Harbor to Montauk. Lots of stripers, bonito, and bluefish are mixing in with them as well. It’s really good fishing now.”
Bennett said that bottom fishing for a number of species remains solid too. “Sea bass fishing has been excellent east of Gardiner’s and near Plum and Gull Island. Big porgies are mixed in with them, too. Blowfish and big snappers are everywhere and some nice fluke and sea bass are off of Montauk. The cooling weather has turned the fishing on.”
“The false albacore are here in really good numbers,” said the always jovial Sebastian Gorgone of Mrs. Sam’s Bait and Tackle in East Hampton. “I just received a large delivery of Hogy lures in a wide variety of sizes and colors. The ablies go crazy over them. It’s a wonderful lure.” I can attest to Gorgone’s words. They are killer. Get them while he has them.
Gorgone added that blowfish and snappers are still in good supply in Three Mile Harbor. “The blowfish are nice and big too,” he added.
As per fluke, some true jumbo-size fish have been landed of late, including a 17.9-pound specimen on the Miss Montauk II on Saturday’s outing, while a 15-pounder was taken on the Montauk Star. Big fish for sure, but you better get out there soon, as the season draws to a close at the end of September.
Like to fish from the beach? You are in luck, as there are a number of surf fishing tournaments on the docket. Starting at noon tomorrow through Sunday at midday is the Montauk Surf Classic. Cash and tackle prizes for the three largest striped bass, bluefish, and released striped bass will be up for grabs. The deadline to register is 9 a.m. tomorrow at Paulie’s Tackle Shop in Montauk, the official weigh-in station. An awards ceremony will be held on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at Montauk State Park.
The Montauk SurfMasters Striped Bass Fall Classic is underway. The 10-week tournament, which concludes on Nov. 30, has two overall entry divisions: adults (all waders and wet suiters, men and women) and youth (boys and girls all under 18). The entry fee is $100, but for those under 18, it’s free. Sign-up is at mountauksurfmasters.com.
Last but not least, the Toad and Paulie’s One Shot Striped Bass Surf Tournament has been underway since June 1. The entry fee is $25 and all weigh-ins take place at Paulie’s. The largest striped bass in the wader division will pocket a tidy $7,000, while the heaviest fish landed in the wetsuit category will walk away with $3,000. Note that only one fish over 30 pounds can be entered. If you catch a fish later in the season that’s larger, you are out of luck.
“Nobody has weighed in a striper yet,” said Paul Apostolides, the owner of Paulie’s Tackle. “There are a lot of bass around right now, but they are all running small.”
Looks like there is a lot of cash still on the table here.
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