Gone Fishin': Anglers Aren't Hindered by the Blues

This past week’s been especially productive for fluke, porgies and sea bass, but there's also a new aggressive fish on the hook lately: the bluefish.

Aboard the Fortuna Fishing Charters out of Fire Island Inlet this past Monday, a group caught a pair of large fluke in excess of seven pounds with quality sea bass and some big porgies in the mix. A private boater out of Fire Island Inlet did well with ocean keeper fluke to 25 inches last Friday.

That day was also a memorable day for those on board the Laura Lee whose quest was big ocean fluke. Although the drift started slowly, the fishing increased, allowing seven keeper fluke over the rails, the largest weighing in at 7.25 pounds.

Last Saturday aboard the Fish Finder II out of Captree and Fire Island Inlet, the catches included nice sea bass and some large keeper fluke, one of which was reeled in by the grandson of the group on board the vessel.

Pete, Suffolk Bait and Tackle, reported that last Wednesday John Marley caught several nice keeper fluke in 23 to 25 feet of water, using local spearing while fishing just outside of the inlet. Pete also noted that Paul Rosero fished along the Robert Moses Bridge and had a great, steady pick of small fluke and bluefish to 10 pounds.

“Last Friday Sean and his friend Mike fished the Kismet Reef with fresh clam, and were rewarded with large blowfish and sea bass to 2.5 pounds,” Pete reported.

This past Saturday Joe and Randall Veit fished in 90 feet of water south of the Ocean Beach Tower, and reeled in nice keeper fluke to 7.75 pounds.

Suffolk Bait and Tackle is also noticing that local docks are receiving some spectacular catches of both snappers and blue claw crabs.

So grab a scoop net (check for holes), a bucket and some thick gloves if it's crab you seek.

And grab a light tackle rod (any inexpensive fishing pole will do just fine), some bait (they eat just about anything, both live and artificial), a popper and a bucket if you're in search of snappers.

Snapper fishing is the best way to introduce young anglers to their first fishing experience since they’re super easy to catch, they give a great fight on the reel and there's no limit on these delicious fish.

And, just in time, there’s the annual on August 27 at the Lindenhurst marina (docks) put on by the Lindenhurst Rotary Club.

Editor's Note: Patch would love to include your fishing tales in the next fishing report. E-mail Richard Smidt here.