Fishing Report: No Angler or Crabber is Singing the Blues

While the word "blue" was a major part of last week's report, it is even more prominent this week when it comes to local fishing and crabbing.

"Blues," as in bluefish, are simply prolific and anglers have been expecting this usual occurrence. Blue claw crabs have been a reason for trappers and scoopers alike to give the season a thumbs up.

Out of Fire Island Inlet and Captree the Captree Princess saw ocean fluking action with a ton of bait in the water. Those on board were treated to dolphins which encircled the vessel.

At the reef, action heated up as Frank Lobey reeled in an 8.18-pound fat doormat and won the pool. Inside the bay, the fishing was non-stop and the party boat’s keepers included 10 keeper fluke as well as quality sea bass and bluefish in the mix.

Last Saturday, on the same boat, about five dozen anglers had good fishing results, including a 7 lb. doormat fluke for Bob Oates. A private boater, out of Fire Island Inlet just three miles offshore in about 80-feet of water, was treated to the antics of a huge white-bellied whale.

The reef fishing was strong both last Thursday and Friday, giving
up doormat fluke to 28-inches.

Pete, from Suffolk Bait & Tackle in Babylon, reported shop regulars Charlie Cannizaro and Dicky Orlandi called in to tell them they fished on the "Redhead" along with Captain Steve Gordan out of the Palm Beach Inlet and the crew had a great day, catching three Wahoos to 40-pounds. The catch included one large Tarpon which weighed close to 125 pounds, caught by Orlandi. He battled the fish for over an hour and a half and a nice 20+-pound grouper was also in the mix.

Pete said the fluke bite remains solid at the Ocean Beach Tower in the 75-to-90-feet of water range and that anglers are using local spearing and local squid to produce some of the top catches. He said  local wrecks are producing good catches of sea bass.

“Reports coming in from the bay fisherman are that bluefish up to four-pounds are chasing the baitfish and customer Tim O’Brien had six blues caught on Ava jigs,” said Pete. “Snappers are plentiful at all the local docks along with decent size blue claw crabs."

This Saturday is the Babylon Tuna Club Snapper Derby and it begins at 9 a.m. at the Babylon Village Dock. For more info call 669-2222.