Fishing Report: Fishing The Full Moon

Fishing the full moon is always an anticipated event in the waters surrounding Long Island, so it was no surprise that the one on July 15 produced better catches and a lot more boat traffic. While anglers searched for the usual suspects, schools of triggerfish showed up in big numbers. Triggerfish, also known as turbot, occasionally appear
in the western Atlantic this time of year. The species often dwells near rocky bottoms and off reefs and has been deemed a delicious addition to the table.

Aboard the Shinnecock Star over the weekend, there was good fishing both inside the bay and in the ocean. Triggerfish, sea bass, fluke and porgies are being hooked regularly just outside the inlet and near the reef. Inside the inlet in shallow water within the bay, fluke are taking the bait and those trying to catch keepers can get close enough to see it all happen. On Saturday, doormat fluke were the quest at the much-publicized First Annual Bennie Lupia Fluke Inferno Tournament, hosted by the Hampton Bays Fire Department. Both tides saw strong action and one boat had a total of eight keepers to 5 pounds. Those who fished with Ben over the years will miss his presence in and around Shinnecock and the canal. This first memorial tournament was a huge success.

Scott Jeffrey at in Hampton Bays reported, "Fluking in the bay is still providing the best shot at landing a keeper. Rampasture and the basket have seen some of the better action, while the ocean bite has provided a few keepers for the box out in 80-feet of water and around the reef.  Live bait will increase your odds, so use huge killies or jig up a few live snappers that have now moved throughout the bay. The bassing is slowing as it should during the heat of the summer, but the clam chummers and those working the night tides in the inlet are still being rewarded with a decent bite. Blues up to and bigger than 36 inches are in the inlet too, and sea bass continue to be a target due to the large number of short fluke around. If this interests you, head out to the reef and look for the smaller pieces, the larger pieces have been picked over heavily."

Scott also added that Shinnecock Inlet continues to produce triggers, sea bass, bass and blues and the night tides are best for the bass. "Clam bait will catch you any of the above," he said. "The south facing beaches have some blues, bass and even a bonita or two mixed in. Diamond jigs, clam baits and swimming plugs are all working. Dawn and dusk have provided the best action, while the canal has porgies, fluke and snappers. The snappers need to grow a bit but they are here.  

Out at Orient Point, aboard the Orient Star II, anglers did well last weekend, especially once the tide changed on Sunday and in spite of the strong winds. Some quality fluke came over the rails, along with a lot of shorts that were returned to grow into keepers. Both captains and crew on the Orient Star tagged and released several short fluke to track their movement and assist in collecting accurate data for future fisheries' regulations.

Aboard the Brooklyn Girl II, the night bite for striped bass picked up with the strength of the full moon. All on board took their limits to a whopping 41 pounds and numerous bluefish were part of the mix. And aboard the Black Rock, Capt. Sloan has been slamming the bass as of late, putting his customers on big fish and limiting out daily.

Those who follow the tournaments should be aware that the South Shore Marlin and Tuna Club is hosting a tournament from July 22 to July 24. Anglers may leave from either Fire Island inlet or Shinnecock. For additional information, contact Andrew Dean at 646-734-2795. Also on the agenda is the 55th Annual Babylon Tuna Club Tuna Tournament from July 28 to July 31. This is an especially meaningful one as it is dedicated to our troops and those who helped our nation on 9/11.For more information, contact Artie at 516-369-5320 or Brian at 631-834-2060. I shall provide greater details in next week's fishing report.