Reports remain positive on the bottom fishing scene. All the usual suspects are being caught in numbers. The latest arrival is the false albacore, a favorite among fly and light tackle fisherman. False albacore, along with the similar green bonito, are heralds of the East End’s vaunted fall run. Their appearance is brief in local waters. You can expect to see their run dwindle rapidly by early October.
In Orient Point, the Orient Star IV has been busy bottom fishing. Captain Dan says limits, or near limits, of sea bass, with lots of porgies mixed in, were the norm this week. Dan has also been adding triggerfish into the ground fish mix
this week. Moving up the water column, small striped bass and bluefish have been cooperative. Captain Chris managed a false albacore this week as well, which is always fun.
Over on the Prime Time III, the focus has been bottom fishing. And why not? Fishing has been savage. Captain Mike set me the simple report, “Fantastic bottom fishing everyday. Coolers full of sea bass and porgy,locally.” He then sent the pictures to back it up.
This is what captain Rob Thompson waits all year for, his report reads like a child describing Christmas morning. Albies are everywhere, feeding on peanuts, sardines, anchovies and rain fish. Effective lures include Deadly Dicks (my favorite for false albacore), Tsunami Split Tails and small Snapper Zappers, used in conjunction with light lines or fluorocarbon leaders. I think of tunas and their relatives in the same light as trout, they can be very “line shy” and that jibes with what captain Rob is reporting. The Plum Gut has been a hotspot. On Friday’s trip at slack tide, Rob said he had an eager audience of close to 1,000 hungry blues finning on top, eager to eat anything tossed in their direction.
Orient Point’s own Brooklyn Girl has been running south and catching fluke, sea bass and jumbo porgies and fishing local rips for combo trips. Tuesday took Brooklyn Girl south to ocean waters off Montauk. The whole boat limited out with fluke to five pounds. Sea bass were mixed in, as well as a lone false albacore caught by Ron Wellman of Riverhead, on a fluke bait! Ken says he has limited availability Wednesday September 23, for a full day porgy/sea bass combo trip. Call to make a reservation.
The Peconic Star Fleet in Greenport has been bottom fishing, and wailing away on sea bass and porgies.
Tides Mattituck Inlet:
Saturday high 4:02 am/4:19 pm
Sunday high 4:54 am/5:13 pm
Tides Greenport:
Saturday 3:02 am/3:24 pm
Sunday 3:53 am/4:16 pm
Moon Phase :
First Quarter September 21
Tight Lines!
Brian Nigro is a lifelong avid fisherman and former charter boat captain. He’s fished from Alaska to Mexico and lots of places in between, but his favorite place to fish is right here on the East End.
Questions, comments, tips and boasts? Write to Brian:
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