New Striped Bass Regulations

Even though it was the beginning of summer, you would never have known it last week. The weather was cool and cloudy. We also had an extended period of east wind but very little rain. It did clear on Sunday, and temps got to 80 degrees, making it feel more like summer.

The big news came last Tuesday, as New York State changed the size limit to keep striped bass. The old limit was 28 to 35 inches, and many fish being caught were already too large. The new limit is 28 to 31 inches, so even more fish will have to be thrown back. It appears there will be more pressure to find a fish to bring home. The big question is: Will it increase the mortality rate among the released? The season is still April 15 to December 15, with possession of one fish a day.

Better news is that sea bass season opened on June 23, and it’s three fish a day at a 16.5-inch minimum until August 31. The possession limit increases to six fish a day starting September 1.

Bay water temps are finally rising to about 68 degrees. The porgy fishing remains good throughout the local bays. There are some smaller ones but still plenty of keepers. Drifting is the method to find the fish. As always, anchor and chum for the best results.

Those large sand sharks have shown up and are taking porgy baits. Fluking still remains slow. Most of the local fluke action is taking place on the north side of Shelter Island and the Greenlawns. A few shorts and keepers are being caught. There were a few bluefish at Jessups on the incoming tide taken on jigs.

Last week, there were large striped bass at South Ferry, and all were the slot limit. Weakfish are on the move and never in the same place two days in a row. Most anglers are targeting deeper water.

There are fish in Noyac and Peconic bays. Southold and Greenport have pockets of fish.

The warming water definitely will affect the fishing as July approaches.