Last weekend we had great fluke fishing, and for big fish. Then on Monday we had 20-25 southwest, and that knocked put the fish off for a couple of days, and by the weekend things were great again. Now on Sunday we had some more southwest breeze, so we' might have to wait a day or so for it to pick up again.
The striped bass fishing is pretty good, but there is a "but" to it. If you are in the right place at the right time, you can get some real nice sized fish. If you are not there for that magic half hour or so, you will have to do with small fish and bluefish.
The yellowfin action is pretty spotty right now, and day trips to the 500 line are not producing much except for the mahi that hang around the pots. On the edge itself boats are getting a few fish trolling at dawn and dusk, but that's about it.
The MISTRESS TOO was over at the Mudhole on Saturday trying to catch a bluefin. Apparently there are plenty of them there, ranging from small to giant, but they are kind of line shy. Bart went down to thirty pound line, but would watch them eat every butterfish except the one with the hook in it.
Shark fishing is now "I hope I get a bite" fishing, in other words slow. If you do get a bite it is most likely a big blue one, or a small mako, but there is also the possibility of a hammerhead or tiger, but not much chance of a thresher anymore.
Next weekend Uhlein's is holding the Mercury Grand Slam Tournament, an inshore contest with points awarded based on the weight of the various inshore species. For more info call 631 668 3799 or go to http://www.montaukmercurygrandslam.org/.
The big news now is the fluke fishing. Years (and years) ago the best fluke fishing for the biggest fish always took place around Labor Day. Then something happened and it all changed so that the best of it was early in the season, with everything heading downhill in late August. Well, it looks like it is switching around again. The action is red hot now, with lots and lots of doormats being caught. Four and five pound fish are common, and eight and nine pounders are not uncommon. All of the action is on the south side, and for the first time this season it is spread out all the way west to the "parachute jump".
The 760 pound mako caught on the SEA WIFE this week might give you the idea that shark fishing is pretty good, but it is getting more difficult, going from "one bite" fishing to "once a while someone catches one". Going sharkless is getting to be too common.
Star Island's Mako Mania Tournament was held this past weekend, and the results are as follows:
1st Place - 200 lbs - CHASIN TAIL
2nd Place - 158 lbs - ON A MISSION
3rd Place - 137 lbs - SHOCK WAVE
1st Place Thresher - 467 lbs - FISH ON
Further offshore, the yellowfin action around the 500 line has slowed nearly to a stop. It was good for a while, but over the weekend the bite was almost non-existent. To have any chance at all, you had to get out to the edge or beyond, with the better action over towards the Dip.