Report 9/22/16
Shinnecock Bay: As we wrap up another fluke season this week action has been tough to find. Best option has been working the basket and east channels with spearing, squid gulp or even better some fresh peanut bunker. A few fish have made it to the box but good reports have been tough to come by. Lots of cocktail blues chasing bait around the bay. Tins are the best bet here.
Peconic Bay: Good reports of porgies continue over at Jessups and Rogers rock. The weakfish are still in these areas to along with up in Roses Grove. Kingfish are in play too.
Ocean:The fluke bite has been tough for most but a few sharpies have had some make it to the box. Best option on the fluke as the season comes to a close is target the reef. While fluking with one hand target some seabass with the other. Plenty of seabass on the reef. Lots of fish in the 13-14" range but there are enough keepers to stick it out. Clams and squid will do just fine. Want to increase your odds, try one of our specialty seabass rigs. Albies have been running around outside and have even taken a few fluke baits.
Shinnecock Inlet: Albies has been the main focus this past week with each day getting better. Most action has been on the beginning of the incoming tide on the east jetty. The lure preference changes daily. Deadly Dicks, Cripple Herring, Pline Jigs, Hogy Epoxy jigs all will do the job. Bluefish have been blitzing in the inlet too. The best bit of news is that the mullet are showing signs of moving out and the bass should be on them. The guys targetting bass in the dark from the jetty have done decent on bucktails and swim shads. Boaters drifting live eels not as good but picking a few fish.
Shinnecock Canal: Snappers, cocktail blues, porgies, kingfish and schoolie striped bass have all been in the canal. Blues and bass best at dawn and dusk.
Ponquogue Bridge: Lots of action during the day. One customer had a great day over the weekend catching a bit of everything including, porgies, fluke, bass, blues and seabass. The night stalkers have done well with the bass on artficials and fresh shad.
Ocean Beaches: The beaches east of the inlet have seen a few more fish than the west. A few bass have been taken to 30" on the night tides and schoolies on bucktails at dawn and dusk. A few fluke around too on the bars. Albies have come close enough to the beach for a few to hook up. The east jetty of Shinny seems to be the best bet this week.
We will again be running our Striped Bass in the Surf Tournament this year.
Here is a copy of the rules:
There is a $25 entry fee for adults and $10 for juniors age 16 and under. 100% of entry fees will be returned as prizes.
The tournament, for the heaviest striped bass, will commence on Saturday October 1st 2016 at 12:01 am. And terminate at 10:00 am on Saturday November 19th, 2016.
Participants can sign up until 7pm on October 15th 2016.
In the interest of good sportsmanship while surfcasting, no boats, prams, rafts, balloons, kites, flippers, poling, swimming, drifting, floating or trolling of any kind to access any rocks, sandbars, reefs or rips. NO wetsuiting allowed. Waders ONLY. Rod and reel surfcasting only.
Bait and/or artificial lures allowed. No restrictions on line class. One rod per angler and you must hold it, no dead sticking. You must land your own fish.
East End Bait & Tackle is the only official weigh-in station.
Contestants may only weigh in one fish per day. Fish shall be weighed in during normal business hours only. Each angler must weigh in his/her own fish.
Every participant has a right to file a written grievance. The decision of the tournament committee is final.
Surfcasting fishing boundaries are all areas within the township of Southampton only.
Absolutely no refunds of entry fees.
Distribution of prize money to the top three heaviest fish will be as follows: 1st place 60%, 2nd place 30% and 3rd place 10%. Prizes amounts will be determined by the number of entries.
In the event there should be a tie for any of the three places, date and time of weigh-in of the 1st fish will prevail.
All participants must be registered in the tournament 12 hours prior to weighing in any fish, NO exceptions.
