Sharks in the Deep End
By Captain Al

Fishing for the period of June 28 to July 3 was good. A few days of windy weather and crazy boat traffic over the holiday weekend made things a little tough but good numbers of fish were to be had.

Striped bass fishing is still excellent despite the warm water. Striped bass usually turn off when the water reaches 75 degrees but it is not the case this year. Fishing live bunker has really been excellent with fish to over 30 pounds this week. On June 30 I fished with Lenie Hurd and had seven bass to 25 pounds. The next day I fished with Lenie’s son Russell and had eight fish to 30 pounds. On the 3rd I fished with Mark and Barry of Saltaire and had three fish to 25 pounds.

As usual, clam chumming is producing bass at the Bridge and the rips in the inlet but not many keepers.

Bluefish rule the bay and ocean right now and they are eating anything you can offer. Big ones on chunks down deep and little ones on top on metal tins.

Weakfishing is slow with just a few around mainly at dawn and dusk.

Fluke fishing is slow and this is very disappointing. There are lots of fish in the bay but it is very tough to get a keeper. You really have to spend the day and catch 50 or more fish to cull a few keepers for dinner. In the ocean there are some fluke of decent size but the dogfish are relentless and a real hassle. It is pretty tough going for fluke fishing right now.

Bottom fishing is fairly good for porgies and kingfish. This is getting better every day.

A fairly good bloom of green moss algae is making fishing the back bays a little tough.

Offshore fishing is excellent. Lots of mako and thresher sharks are in the 120 to 180 foot zone. Some good size bluefin and small schoolies bluefin are also being caught. Yellowfin are in the canyons.

FISHING TIP OF THE WEEK

Invisible lines are key to fooling fish. I have mentioned the benefits of fluorocarbon lines but there is another out there in the market place. Shakespeare makes a line called "Cajun Red Lightning" that is red in color. Underwater, red is the first color in the spectrum of light to disappear as water depth increases. As a result, this line is virtually invisible in only moderate depths of water. I have used it fishing offshore and have had good success. You might consider spooling up a reel to give it a try.

FISHING FACTS OF THE WEEK

The number of endangered species that have ever been de-listed because of recovery: 15.

The number de-listed due to extinction: 7.

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Captain Al Lorenzetti

Skimmer Fishing Charters

(631) 661-2112

www.skimmeroutdoors.com