The Amazing Sustained Run of Bass
By Captain Al

Fishing for the period from July 11 to 17 has been very good. Things have not changed very much in the last week. Striped bass fishing is fantastic and keeper fluke are tough to find.

Once again the sustained run of big striped bass is truly amazing. I am positive it has to do with the incredible amount of bunker (menhaden) that are present both in the bay and ocean around our area. When there is a lot of bait the game fish will stay and gorge themselves on the easy offerings. We lucky fishermen then have the opportunity to capitalize upon the situation and enjoy some great fishing.

This past week on the 14th, I had a memorable day of fishing. Taking out Bob Bauer of Deer Park and his pals from Illinois, Rodney Krull and Kenny Diercks we caught 12 stripers up to 50.85 pounds. Kenny had the big fish and Bob dropped an even bigger fish near the boat when the hook pulled. It was fantastic fishing that day with really big fish but I have been catching fish up to 30 pounds on most other days.

Clam chumming bass has become tough with lots of weed moving through the inlet area. It is an exercise in frustration to put down a line and have it loaded up with weed in just a few seconds. This light green moss has made all kinds of fishing in the bay a tough deal.

Fluke fishing is still disappointing. There are few keepers to be had anywhere. At the top of the flood tide with clean cool water from the ocean filtering into the bay the fishing has been OK with some keepers. The Lighthouse, West Channel and Ocean Beach areas are producing the most keepers with some fish up to seven pounds.

In the ocean the keeper ratio is not much better than in the bay and dogfish are still a problem. The best bet is to fish the Fire Island Reef area south of the Lighthouse in 65 feet of water. This area is producing some nice sea bass and bluefish as a by-catch while fluke fishing.

Bluefish are solid just about everywhere in the bay and ocean and snappers are now showing at the docks.

I hear of an occasional weakfish being caught but nothing solid. They are just not worth targeting at this time. When the snappers get a little larger and more numerous I am sure the big tiderunners will make a showing along the South Beach. I would bet that a new world record is set in August or September. There are some huge weakfish around and when they begin to feed on the snappers it will be very exciting. Be ready.

Crabbing is now excellent in all areas.

Offshore fishing is now in full swing with sharks, tuna and billfish anywhere from 90 feet of water on out. Mahi are beginning to show, as are the small school bluefin tuna in the near-shore waters. Get the spinning outfits out and ready to tackle with these speedsters.

FISHING TIP OF THE WEEK

The best and most commonly used bait for fluke fishing is a spearing and squid strip combination. These baits however are very fragile, especially the spearing. If you leave them out in the sun they will break down very quickly and become soft and mushy. It is very important to keep them on ice during the course of the day. Open the package and bait your hooks and then replace the package into the cooler to keep it fresh and firm. This will increase your fishing success.

FISHING FACTS OF THE WEEK

Approximate number of white marlin reported landed annually by U.S. sportfishers: 50.

White marlin reported discarded dead by U.S. commercial fishers: 1,000+.

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Captain Al Lorenzetti

Skimmer Fishing Charters

(631) 661-2112

www.skimmeroutdoors.com