Crabbing Gets an Early Start
By Captain Al

Fishing for the period from June 6 to 19 has been very good. The water has warmed up but still remains clean with no serious weed or algae problems. As a result, fishing has remained very good for most species.

Striped bass fishing has been most excellent both in the inlet and bay areas as well as in the ocean. In the past two weeks my charters have landed over 150 big bass with fish up to 40 pounds and many fish in the mid-30 pound range. We kept a few for the table. Most have been caught on live bunker and some on plugs. Live bait was plentiful a couple of weeks ago in the bay but has since become scarce and very tough to get. There was a showing of bunker in the ocean for a couple of days but that seems to have dried up. Catching bait is tougher than catching striped bass. Live bait, however, is catching the big fish.

Clam chumming and fishing bunker chunks is producing lots of stripers but most are smaller in size with some keepers and occasionally a large fish. The best areas for this type of bass fishing are the inlet rips and the Moses Bridge.

Weakfishing is going pretty well. A number of smaller fish in the 2 to 4 pound range have been showing in the Ocean Beach and West Channel and Heckscher Park areas with fishing best in the early morning and evening hours. Artificials are working well, especially white jelly worms fished on lead head jigs. There are a few huge fish being caught as well, with some topping 15 pounds.

Fluke fishing is a little disappointing. There are some keepers being caught with fish to 8 pounds but very few of them. Eighteen inches is a pretty tough minimum size for this area and catching a limit of four is pretty tough. The best spot for big fish seems to be around the Coast Guard Station and the Moses Bridge. Fishing in the ocean has been slow with mostly throwbacks and a couple of keepers but nothing consistent. I believe the water down deep is still a little cold. Hopefully this fishery will improve in the coming weeks.

Small bluefish are pleasing anyone interested in catching these little gamesters. They are busting bait schools all around the bay and ocean. Keep the spinning tackle and metal lures handy to have some fun and load up on shark bait.

Crabbing has really taken off with the crabs getting active early. All the docks on the mainland are seeing good numbers of large blue claws being caught.

The first sharks and tuna are beginning to show in the ocean. This should really get going in time for the Bay Shore Mako Tournament this weekend.

FISHING TIP OF THE WEEK

Weakfishing with artificials is a very productive way to catch these great fighting and tasty fish. Casting and retrieving is more productive than just drifting and jigging. I prefer a long graphite spinning rods for this type of fishing. Long rods give greater distance on the cast and are more forgiving when the fish turns and runs. Graphite makes them light but very sensitive. I have been using Rogue “Hot Shot” salmon rods with much success. The HS 795S and HS 826S are my favorites.

FISHING FACTS OF THE WEEK

How farmed salmon are made to look like wild salmon—artificial coloring. The amount of retail sales generated by striped bass recreational fishery—$2.4 billion.

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Captain Al Lorenzetti

Skimmer Fishing Charters

(631) 661-2112

www.skimmeroutdoors.com