The calendar does not lie. It still says it’s summer. But Labor Day has passed, daylight continues to dwindle, and the waters will shortly start to cool off. It’s very hard not to be reminded that fall is only about two weeks away. In my book, I’ve already turned the page, and I’m not mourning the end of summer.
Weather-wise, this was a very weird summer. We witnessed it all, from epic rainfall to several lengthy heat waves to jungle-like humidity to some pretty good dry spells.
Fingers are tightly crossed that we will avoid any hurricanes as the seasonal peak nears. As most know, we are long overdue for the big one. It will happen at some point. Nobody rules over Mother Nature.
On the fishing scene, anglers are looking forward to the change of seasons.
One positive is that as of Sunday, Sept. 1, the daily creel limit for black sea bass increased from three to six fish per person. The minimum size remains at 16.5 inches.
Enjoy codfish? That season also opened on Sunday in federal waters (beyond three miles from shore). As well, those in pursuit of light-tackle action for false albacore can rejoice, as the speedsters arrived in Montauk waters on Friday.
Capt. Savio Mizzi of Fishooker Charters took advantage of the action. “It was nice to see them back again,” he said. “And more and more will be showing up soon. It will only get better going forward.”
Mizzi has also been busy catching bluefin tuna not too far to the south and east of the Lighthouse. While there have been a few slow days, this has been one of the best seasons in recent memory for the highly prized fish. Yellowfins too have shown up in recent days, adding to the excitement.
In East Hampton, Sebastian Gorgone at Mrs. Sam’s Bait and Tackle was enthused about the local fishing, as well.
“What a great end to the summer season,” he said. “Things are going really good on the ocean. There are loads of small blues and shad. They’re feeding on peanut bunker and they’ve been chewing it up on the beach. Use a small diamond jig, but make sure to have a small teaser tied above it.”
“On the bay side, there’s been a lot of action too,” he added. “We have porgy, blowfish, snappers, and kingfish everywhere from Sammy’s Beach and Maidstone to Gerard Drive. It has been really hot with like five or six different species being caught. Even fluke fishing picked up after the east winds died down. Blue-claw crabs are also in the harbors and coves.”
Over at Tight Lines Tackle in Southampton and Sag Harbor, the owner, Ken Morse, said that recent chilly weather spurred on the bite for a number of species.
“False albacore and bonito have shown up along the ocean beaches,” he said. “Weakfish remain plentiful in Noyac Bay, and small bluefish are hitting diamond jigs at Jessup’s Neck.” Morse said that larger bluefish are being taken at Plum Gut and at the Race farther to the east. “Striped bass are around in those areas too, but you need to get there as the sun comes up before the blues take over.”
Morse also had several customers report of solid fluke fishing on the south side of Montauk, with fish up to 26 inches landed over the holiday weekend.
“The fishing was really good in some not very nice conditions,” he said. “As long as the hurricanes stay away and don’t create some big swells, fluke fishing should be good this month.” Note that the season for fluke will conclude on Oct. 15.
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Fishing tips, observations, and photos can be sent to [email protected].