Fishing Report: Big Fluke in the Waters

We’re about six weeks into the summer and the fishing action continues to warm up. Fluking is doing well in the bays, inlets and in the ocean. Certain spots that held large numbers of sea bass are occasionally harder to find, yet fishing with the changing tide might make it more productive.

Scott Jeffrey of in Hampton Bays reported that the fluke bite was excellent last week. "Fish from the bay and ocean are making it to the filet table and fish to 8-and-a-half pounds have been weighed in at the shop," he said. "Most baits are producing quality fish with live baits making the biggest impact. The bass bite continues to be slow with most fish being caught on the night tides around the inlet and Ponquogue Bridge. The triggerfish bite has slowed somewhat in the inlet, but they have also made a brief showing in the canal and around the bridge. Blues in the 1- to 3-pound range have been in the inlet at dawn and dusk while sea bass remain the main target out on the reef. The best bet remains to be fluke for the coming week and make sure to use live killie baits."

Scott said the Shinnecock Inlet, Shinnecock Canal and the Ponquogue Bridge have all been producing fish of varying species, with the canal currently holding a plethora of porgies and snappers. He said the Ponquogue Bridge is a great spot for those anglers who wish to reel in big bass in the dark as well as some fluke during the day. "The inlet has blues, bass, triggers, small sea bass and fluke, with the fluke coming in on the squid spearing combo while the clams have produced the others."

Out in Shinnecock, last Saturday evening aboard the Hampton Lady was a success with great fluke and sea bass that were feeding before dark. Earlier in the day (afternoon trip), those on board were surprised by a thresher shark that had grabbed the squid/spearing combo off the bottom. Anglers estimated the shark to be about 70 to 80 pounds after viewing a video taken by someone aboard the Hampton Lady. A private boater working the water near the ocean reef hooked 12 sea bass to just over 3 pounds. West of the sea buoy, the boat linked up with fluke, in spite of drifting in windy conditions on an outgoing tide. Three fat keeper fluke were caught by the fishermen, the largest weighing in at 10 pounds 5 ounces.  

Mark your calendar for Saturday as it has been scheduled for the . The Captain's meeting is Friday at 7:30 p.m. at . There will be both junior and senior divisions with a barbecue and awards celebration following weigh-ins. For information call Lanny at 631-728-1860.

Out in Montauk last Sunday was a special fishing moment for 3-year-old Katie Johnsen who was fishing with her parents aboard the Marlin Princess VI out of Salivar's Dock. When her rod took a deep bend, her dad assisted the young angler in bringing a 12-pound 9-ounce fluke over the rails. As for Katie, she's now "hooked" on fishing.

Aboard the Orient Star II last Saturday's bite proved a good
one for all on board with generous catches of a dozen striped bass,
some very big bluefish and an outstanding scup (porgy) bite. The waters surrounding Gardiner's Island have been holding some large schools of scup, and they are feeding hungrily. The porgy bite picked up for those fishing aboard the Peconic Star II and decent sea bass and fluke mixed in as the boat continued its drifts. The pool winner had a 4-pound scup.

Email photos of your latest catch to brendan.j.oreilly@patch.com. Include your name and town and where the fish was reeled in.