As we launch the unofficial start of summer, metro anglers practically need a calendar, tape measure and scorecard to prepare for saltwater fishing. It’s difficult keeping track of regulations for all the varieties of fish.
For example, New York’s fluke season opened a week ago and the porgy opener – for those on private boats and on shore – is Sunday. However, party boat porgy patrons have to wait until mid-June to seek those scup. And May 30 is the end of the flounder season.
New Jersey anglers are not sad to see a disappointing flounder seasoncome to an end (yesterday), especially since tomorrow they can finally go after fluke, with a bag limit of 10 fish at 10-1/2 inches or more.
Anglers aboard Sheepshead Bay’s Ocean Eagle VII have been enjoying some fun fluking around Norton’s Point. Mike Neal from Manhattan really cashed in on his double trips Tuesday. He not only won the morning’s fluke pool but also scored the top pool dollars in the afternoon as well. Both fluke weighed about five pounds at Bernie’s Bait & Tackle.
This is an early sign of a successful Jersey Coast Anglers Association fluke tourney on June 13. Here’s an advance heads up, in fact, since registrations received by June 6 cost $120 per boats carrying up to six people. After that boat fees go up $20 more. Check www.jcaa.org for details.
Blues and stripers are keeping anglers busy most everywhere. Scouting Long Island Sound waters from Execution Light to Hempstead Harbor, the Island Current III’s Capt. Chris Cullen is finding the night bite reaps heavier bass. For instance, a Rockland County evening group including Sean Crowe’s family and friends recently returned with a good mix, including stripers up to 25 pounds. And that was preceded by this City Island boat’s 32-pound striped bass caught the night before by John Shanks of Tuckahoe.
Meanwhile, Ocean Eagle’s skipper Steve Ventura reported a 41-pound striper boated Sunday night by Brooklynite Ahmed Lesaleh. That nice-sized speciman was caught near Breezy Point jetty, but the captain’s also had success in Jamaica Bay.
Contestants in the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association Liberty Derby earlier this month earned some dollars on those two popular specials. Daniel Goswick of Piermont, N.Y., was the derby’s overall numero uno, walking away with $5,000 in cash ($500 for the biggest bass in the striper category, plus the $4,500 overall winner bonus). His 45-1/4-inch speciman was caught near the Ossining weigh station.
By Alexandra Kenney
Daily News
Going Coastal Magazine 