While the word "blue" was a major part of last week's report, it was even more prominent this week leading up to Hurricane Irene in terms of local fishing and crabbing.
Blues, as in bluefish, have simply been 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-pound 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 to28 inches.
Pete, Suffolk Bait and Tackle, reported shop regulars Charlie Cannizaro and Dicky Orlandi called 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 that weighed close to 125 pounds and was caught by Orlandi. He battled the fish for more than an hour and a half. A nice 20-plus-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, 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."
But, unfortunately, the Lindenhurst Rotary Club’s Annual that had been set for starting at 9a .m. – with an 8 a.m. registration start – at the Lindenhurst Marina has been by Lindenhurst Mayor Tom Brennan due to . The event has no rain date.
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