All the reports coming in from area captains follow the same tune: big porgies, boat-limit, lights-out fishing, and big bass out in the rips (to 40+ pounds). Lots of boats are catching their limits. Fluke are around, but seem to require more effort to put together a catch.
Captain Jon Bowen from the Captain Bob Fleet in Mattituck has been out fluke fishing daily. The largest fluke this week was a 12 pound 4 ounce doormat. Jon says silver bullets in green and white have been effective in the deep water and pink bucktails work well on the flats. Captain says he has been fishing the shoals for numbers and edges around the various points for the monsters.
Captain Phil Kess’s Fishy Business has been very busy out in Orient Point. Porgy fishing “remains solid with lots of jumbos” and bass fishing is decent, with fish to 40 pounds. Fluking has been more challenging and requires a bit more time to put together a catch. Captain Phil says he still has some availability for charter/open by reservation
trips and anyone interested should give a call.
Brooklyn Girl and Captain Ken Holmes have been busy with “the big three,” as well. Porgy fishing was described to me as “smoking hot,” with fish to 3.5 pounds. The Brooklyn Girl has been into those 40 pound bass as well. Ken described the fluking as “ok, with some nice ones.”
The Orient Star IV has been into the porgies as well, according to Captain Dan Buckley. Most patrons easily catching their limits with jumbos into the three pound class. Fluking has also been good, with fish into the seven pound range. Check with Captain Dan for availability for charter or open by reservation trips.
Captain Rob Thompson gave me my favorite quote of the week, “the gut is giving up stripers.” Thanks for that one. Rob notes chunking has been automatic for gator blues and shoals of bunker stretch from Riverhead to Orient.
A catch of note came this week on the open boat, Hampton Lady, with a 15+ pound fluke, a true trophy.
I am also receiving reports of sea bass carcasses at local boat ramps, and feel it is important to note that the sea bass season is not open until July 15.
Tight Lines!
Moon stage: Half moon May 29
Local high tides:
Mattituck inlet
5/28 4:49 a.m. and 5:26 p.m.
5/29 5:48 a.m. and 6:22 p.m.
Greenport Harbor
5/28 3:40 a.m. and 4:29 p.m.
5/29 4:41 a.m. and 5:25 p.m.
