With Patience, Ocean Fishing Is Good
By Captain Al

Fishing for the week from June 20 to 27 has been excellent. With the exception of the nasty weather last weekend, the previous week was beautiful and the fish were biting.

Striped bass fishing is still steady. There are still lots of fish at a time when the spring run is usually winding down. The clean water and multitude of bait available is no doubt holding the fish in local waters in good numbers. Live bunker is the best bait for big trophy stripers. The bait has been kind of scarce but is available if you know where to look. I have been averaging about 10 bass per trip with most fish in the 18 to 25 pound range. On June 23 I fished with Eric Ramsay of Ramsay Realty in Bayshore, Mike Ryan of West Islip and former NY Jets football great Marty Lyons. Also on the trip with two boats were Eric’s sons Eric Jr., Matthew and Jack and Marty Lyons sons Jesse and Luke. We caught about 10 nice bass up to 23 pounds and all everyone had a great time.

Clam chumming the Moses Bridge and the rips at the inlet is still going strong with lots of school size bass and some good keepers.

Fluke fishing is still a little on the slow side with the bay and inlet producing as many 18 inch keepers as the ocean. I still think the chances are better for a real big fish in the ocean but you have to be patient, use large baits and wait for the big one to take your offering. Fishing around the structure of the Fire Island Reef in 65 feet of water south of the Lighthouse is probably the best bet for a “doormat” size fluke.

Bluefish have invaded the local waters. There are schools of bluefish just about everywhere. Schools of blues are chopping up baitfish from the ocean to the mainland docks. Just look for a couple of terns working and diving into the water and the bluefish will be there in good numbers. Drifting live bait for bass is difficult with the numbers of huge bluefish that are chopping the bait to pieces. The big blues feed deep and want large baits. Drift a bunker chunk on the bottom and you will score with fish from 10 to 15 pounds.

Weakfish are spotty but available. Incoming tide is best working artificials in the Ocean Beach, West Channel, East Channel and Heckscher Park areas. If you fish plastic tails bring a lot of extras, as the bluefish will be chopping them to pieces. If you outlast the bluefish, you will catch a few weakfish.

Bottom fishing is just getting going with the appearance of some kingfish and porgies. This should develop into some good fishing in the next couple of weeks.

Offshore fishing is getting hot with lots of blue sharks and makos in the 15-to-50-mile range and tuna in the canyons.

Fishing Tip of the Week

When fishing in very clear waters, as is the case in our local waters at this time, it is essential to use leader material that is as close as possible to being invisible to the fish. This is especially true for fish with very keen eyesight such as any of the tuna species. Fluorocarbon leader material has proven to be the best solution to this problem. I am presently using Sufix “InvisiLine” which seems to be working very well. I use 25# for jigs with light tackle and 60# as leader for live bait fishing for striped bass.

Fishing Facts of the Week

Percent of juvenile red snapper killed in Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawls: 80+.

Average size of red snapper killed: 4 inches.

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Captain Al Lorenzetti

Skimmer Fishing Charters

(631) 661-2112

www.skimmeroutdoors.com