Go Fish

This is the last fishing column for this season. Fluke fishing just ended and there is the possibility that it may be discontinued in future years. We urge you to contact your representative in Congress to update the Magnuson-Stevens Act and allow fluke fishing to continue (add your name to the petition from the United Boatmen of New York available online at www.noreast.com).

Right before the strong winds early this week, several very large fish were landed in local waters. An 870-lb. bluefin tuna was caught off Block Island by Adam Kibel of Westhampton Beach. A 129-lb. swordfish was brought in the night of August 22 during the Hamptons Offshore Invitational Tournament by the boat Barbaric, owned by Craig DeSantis of Glen Cove.

The American Striper Association runs a series of striped bass fishing tournaments along the East Coast from Connecticut to North Carolina during September through January. The first Long Island competition is the weekend of October 13-15 at Star Island Marina, Montauk. The next competition is October 27-29 at Mariner’s Cove Marina, Hampton Bays. The tournaments are sponsored by Fountain, who make high-speed fishing boats (23’-38’), and Mercury engines. The first-place prize is $10,000 and there are lesser awards, plus lady angler and junior angler prizes.

Entry fee per boat is $300 and winners must be a member of the American Striper Association. Annual ASA dues are $20. Tournament applications are available at Mariner’s Cove (on Shinnecock Canal and in the Southampton showroom), Star Island Marina in Montauk, and online at www.fishASA.com.

Speaking of stripers, Ken Morse of Tight Lines Tackle, Sag Harbor, said customer Tod Sloan pulled in a 50.8-lb. striped bass caught on an eel. Ken also says fishermen are catching weakfish, porgies and bluefish in the Peconics off Robins Island. Tight Lines Tackle is the weigh-in spot for the largest-fish competition this weekend as part of Sag Harbor’s HarborFest.

Capt. Don Kaye reports good bluefish and striped bass fishing in Shinnecock Bay. Steve at Wego Fishing Station in Southold says jumbo bluefish are being caught at the Race and weakfish in Peconic Bay. With the new moon coming on September 22, the striped bass run should continue.

This was the inaugural season for the “Go Fish” column and I enjoyed the contact with Dan’s Papers readers.

–Rich Firstenberg