Typical Fall Fishing

Everyone is still talking about the weather. We continue to wait for a substantial rain event; maybe it will happen before Thanksgiving. The drought conditions are causing brush fires throughout Long Island. Last week, the full moon, with some northeast winds, caused extreme high tides and even coastal flooding for a few days.

As I have mentioned before, the scallop season in state waters was nonexistent. Catches ranged from zero to a couple of dozen adult scallops. Even the East Hampton Town waters showed only a few scallops in Lake Montauk. Three Mile Harbor and Napeague had very little signs. They have been very hard to find in the fish markets. If you do find some, be prepared to shell out good money for this delicacy. Let’s hope we can figure this out before it’s too late.

We have had some nice days, but there has been plenty of wind also. This has hindered fishing on some days.

Everyone is chasing blackfish and sea bass in the sound and ocean. Blackfish have been biting well when the weather has allowed. Boats are fishing Fishers Island, Block Island and even Rhode Island to catch their limit of blackfish. South of Block Island, there has been great sea bass fishing mixing in with the blackfish. Those large sea bass are migrating and taking clams and jigs.

A few porgies are still around. Montauk still has good striped bass fishing. Both keepers and shorts are being caught. This has been typical for fishing when the weather cooperates. Some codfish are starting to show up.

I would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!