Whopper of a Fluke Landed in Hampton Bays

A monster of a fish was reeled into the charter boat, the Hampton Lady in Hampton Bays this past weekend — a 12 pound fluke.

"It is very rare you catch one of these," said James Foley, owner of the Hampton Lady, "Maybe you see one once a year."

Most fluke landed, said Foley, whose fishing charter is in its 4th season, average between 2.4 and six pounds and are about 19 inches long — the legal size for taking — but, the fluke landed this weekend, he said, was a whopping 31.5 inches long.

Foley said the catch was made along with several other large catches over the weekend, which, he said, is telling when it comes to the upcoming season.

"So far this season seems a little better than last season," he said.

Foley said he believes fishing is better this year because he said he has noticed that the area's waterways are cleaner, due to several breaches caused by Hurricane Sandy.

On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy's wind blew waves across the barrier island in Hampton Bays, tossing the dunes clear across Dune Road, flatting the area at Shinnecock and Tiana in Hampton Bays and creating a 1,500-foot breach at Cupsogue in West Hampton Dunes and two others at Smith Point and at Fire Island.

"I think the breeches were the one good thing that came from Sandy," he said. "The ocean water helped clean up the bay."

To see photos of other catches made on the Hamptons Lady, visit their Facebook page here.

Patch Wants to know: Have you noticed a difference in area waters? What types of fish are you catching? Let us know in the comment section below.