Hey, It’s a Shore Thing
One doesn’t need a boat to fish the East End. There are many productive saltwater and freshwater spots from Montauk to East Hampton where anyone with the right gear, a little local knowledge, and persistence can catch fish for fun or for the table.
Some locations are easily accessible while others require a little trek. Just a reminder that a New York State freshwater license is required to fish local ponds and lakes, and saltwater anglers must enroll annually with the no-fee New York State recreational marine fishing registry before casting a line from bay and oceans beaches.
Surfcasters from near and far crowd the famous rocky shores, coves, and beaches that surround Montauk Point primarily in search of trophy striped bass. Those who want to wet a line but favor a more relaxed fishing atmosphere also have options. One of the less-frequented but fruitful angling locations on the End is the fishing pier at Navy Road Park on Fort Pond Bay. One can catch a wide variety of local species there without standing elbow to elbow with other fishermen. The vistas are impressive too. The park is perfect for a family fishing outing. Take the kayak, the paddleboard, and the dog. One caution: It’s probably not a great idea to taunt Darwin by performing back flips off the pier into the rather shallow water below, as one group of obviously sun-stroked adults and children were recently observed doing.
Those who prefer sweetwater action and don’t mind a little walk will enjoy beautiful Big Reed Pond. It’s located within the 1,100-acre Montauk County Park near the Montauk Airport and can be accessed from a hiking trail off East Lake Drive. Largemouth bass, white perch, and bluegill can be found there. Fort Pond is ideal for those prefer to park and fish. Walleye fishing has been hot there recently. The Surf Lodge sits along the pond’s shore and its rear deck is the perfect place to cast a Mepps. Maybe the owners should consider opening it to fisherman if that State Liquor Authority problem persists. That would be very hip.
In Amagansett, one can access excellent bay fishing where Fresh Pond empties into Gardiner’s Bay. Try it at the beginning of an outgoing tide. Another good but somewhat remote spot is the short and narrow channel that runs along the west side of Hicks Island at the head of Napeague Harbor. Just follow Cranberry Hole Road to Lazy Point Road to Shore Road. Commercial fishermen utilize the nearby ramp to launch their boats, so make sure you don’t park in a way that blocks their access. Fish either the inside or outside section of the channel depending on the tide. If stripers and bluefish are there you’ll catch them quickly. If not, watch the kite surfers do their thing down the road. Of course Amagansett has many ocean beaches ideal for surfcasting.
Some of the best fishing right now is occurring in and around Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton. Just about any local species can be caught there. One can fish the east side of the harbor from many popular locations off Three Mile Harbor Road, including the jetty at Maidstone Park. Those who want to fish apart from the crowd can try the west side of the Three Mile Harbor from the dirt path extension of Sammy’s Beach Road. There, one can cast into the bay, work the channel entrance, or fly-fish the flats around Keys Island.
Accabonac Harbor is also a great choice for shore fishermen. Most anglers like to fish the Gerard Drive side but the flats on the Louse Point side are fertile ground for fly fishermen and light-tackle anglers seeking striped bass, blues, and even fluke. Wade slowly and quietly. Keep the chunky lures and plugs in your tackle bag.
Hook Pond in East Hampton Village is a beautiful and lightly fished 64-acre pond that sits behind Main Beach and sections of the Maidstone Golf Club. Access to the pond is limited. One must obtain a Hook Pond parking permit from the village to park at the end of the road that runs along the Sea Spray Cottages at Main Beach. The road can be difficult to negotiate without a four-wheel drive vehicle. The pond can also be accessed from the Highway Behind the Pond off Further Lane and from the large parking lot at Main Beach subject to village parking regulations. One can wade along the muddy edges of the pond to cover more water, but there are some deep holes, so be careful. Largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, white perch, carp, and brown bullhead can be caught there.
T.J. at Gone Fishing Marina in Montauk reported that schools of bunker have appeared around the Point with large striped bass below them. Anglers trolling with wire line are having the most success right now. Fluke fishing is consistently good while sea bass and porgy action is great, he added. Offshore anglers are catching mako sharks, but tuna aren’t cooperating.
Paul Apostolides at Paulie’s Tackle in Montauk reported that bluefish continue to rule beach action. The Montauk Surfmasters Spring Shootout ended with John Bruno taking first place with a 33.05-pound striped bass and second place with a 31.24-pound fish. Mike Milano earned third place with a 20.38-pound striper.
Ken Morse at Tight Lines Tackle in Sag Harbor reported good sea bass action northeast of the Ruins in 60 to 90 feet of water. Fluke can also be taken around the Ruins, but expect lots of shorts. Anglers targeting porgy will now find smaller fish, he added. Morse also reported that Lauren Erlich landed a six-pound fluke just outside Sag Harbor on a Slimfish lure from S&S Bucktails, in wonderbread color, using a pink rod, pink reel, pink line, and a pink grubtail. Men, grab those Grundens and give it a try!
Harvey Bennett at the Tackle Shop in Amagansett reported hot porgy action from the pier at Navy Road Park in Montauk and a three-pound fluke in front of Clearwater Beach in Springs.
Capt. Ken Rafferty said that Jerry Lehockey and Tom Duffy enjoyed great light-tackle angling on local flats with many 10-to-12-pound bluefish landed and released. Large bluefish are also roaming the waters around Bostwick Point, according to local boater reports.
Sebastian Gorgone at Mrs. Sam’s Bait & Tackle in East Hampton said that blue claw crabs are in Three Mile Harbor and that sales of clam baits suggest local anglers are doing very well with seabass.
Kelly Lester reported excellent results from the reopening of the commercial sea bass season.
The Star’s fishing columnist can be followed on Twitter, @ehstarfishing. Photos of prize catches can be emailed to David Kuperschmid at [email protected].