Dismal Scallop Outlook

It’s hard to believe that Labor Day is already here and gone. What a beautiful Labor Day weekend it was!

The end of August brought us the super blue moon. It has been 14 years since we had two full moons in the same month.

The hurricane that passed offshore last week brought good surfing weather but dangerous riptides. It also was the ultimate beach weather, with water temps in the low 70s.

Again this year, there is disappointing news about the fall scallop season. Very few adult scallops survived, but there seem to be some juvies. The survey was done basically from Riverhead to Orient. We will have to wait for the outlook for town waters.

On the sea bass front, as of September 1, the daily limit increased from three fish to six fish per day. The size limit remains the same, at 16.5 inches. This gives anglers a chance to fish for sea bass while waiting for the opening of blackfish season, which begins on October 11.

Locally, bay fishing seems to have improved. Some larger porgies are in Peconic and Noyac bays. Clams and squid work for the bait fisherman, but they are also taking small diamond jigs.

You never know what will bite your line. Kingfish, blowfish and an occasional fluke are mixing in, too. Snappers are definitely fighting and are frying pan-sized. The cocktail-size blues are at Jessups, but it seems the tide needs to be running. Jigs and small tins are both working.

That steady weakfish bite continues in the Buoy 16 area. Mixed sizes up to 23 inches with a good number of throwbacks have been reported. Use a light spinning rod for some great fun. Remember, the limit is 16 inches and one fish per day.

Long Island Sound fishing remains good, with porgies and some keeper-size sea bass. Look in the deeper water for larger sea bass. Plum Gut and the Race have bluefish and the occasional bass.

Montauk waters are giving up a mixed bag, with porgies, fluke and sea bass. For the bottom fishermen there still are tuna offshore, but last week’s rough ocean hampered that fishery.

Remember, September is usually a great month on the water.