A Whale of a Tale

This fish story might reel you in.

Longtime Massapequa resident Michael Cinquemani will discuss his book, “Night Tides,” at an event Wednesday night sponsored by the Long Island Authors Group at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel in Hauppauge.

 “Night Tides,” which was published in 2002, celebrates the exploits of legendary fisherman, Billy Legakis and his ongoing quest to break the world’s record for catching the largest striped bass.

Cinquemani said that he met Legakis, who goes by the name, ‘Billy the Greek,’ over 40 years ago in Island Park when the aspiring fisherman, was  only 13 years-old.

The  teen was already a wheeler-dealer who tried to barter a ride home from Cinquemani.

Cinquemani  got to know Legakis  from fishing excursions at the Meadowbrook Bridge, that often lasted into the early hours of the morning.

He says the Lindenhurst fisherman “is eccentric and can be arrogant at times, but is the best there is.”

“He asked me to write a book about him.” Cinquemani said.

It's a portrait of what it takes to be a successful bass fisherman.

“While striped bass used to be plentiful in Long Island waters in the 1960s and 1970s,  the big ones have become increasingly elusive so to  consistently reel them in, you have to be good,” Cinquemani said. The book is about Billy's level of commitment and his knowledge “of what drives fish to do what they do.”

 According to Cinquemani, Legakis, who sometimes fishes for 48 to 72 hours straight, is still after the"‘one that got away.”

 “The world’s record is 78 lbs 11 oz.,” Cinquemani said of the striper landed by Al McReynolds in 1982 in  Atlantic City, New Jersey.

 While Billy’s largest striper weighed in at “64 pounds and change,” the master fisherman  accomplished the remarkable feat of landing four stripers-- each weighing in at more than 50 lbs-- in a single night.

 “Most fishermen would call you a liar if you told them that, but I was there. It would be like pitching two no-hitters in a row,” Cinquemani said.

Billy is also conservation-minded, and only keeps the largest fish that he catches in a season, Cinquemani indicated.

In addition to reading some choice excerpts from his book, Cinquemani will also discuss self-publishing, marketing, and field questions. Copies of his  book will be available at  the  talk or  can be purchased through  his website, fishtalepublications.com.

Cinquemani, a retired  New York City school administrator, said that he and his wife, Rosalie, have enjoyed living in Massapequa for 38 years.

 “It’s a great town that has everything that interests me and my wife,” Cinquemani said of the advantages of living  “a stone’s throw from the seashore,” and having access to so many wonderful  parks and nature trails.

He particularly likes the trail that runs from Merrick Road to Bethpage.

 “It’s one of the most beautiful resources on Long Island,” Cinquemani indicated.

 The  event, which is part of LIAG's “First Wednesday” series, begins at 7 p.m. The Sheraton Hotel  is located at 110 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, off LIE exit 53.    The event is free to members. A suggested $10 donation is requested of non-members.  For more information, contact David Axelrod at 631- 451-0478, or 516- 330-9798.