Screaming Reels: Let's Go Fishing

Life Cycle of a Long Island Sound Striper

With the great weather we’ve had, reports are filtering in of fish being caught in our local waters. Both flounder and striped bass have been taken with some reported in Cold Spring Harbor as well as the outer sound. If they’re in Cold Spring Harbor, rest assured Huntington, Centerport and Northport Harbors have them active too. A few suggestions to consider if you’re heading out for either.

Flounder: The water’s still chilly, concentrate in our around the harbors. You might even be able to bag one off of one of our docks. Coindre Hall, the Town Dock behind the Firehouse and Billy Joel pier, might yield a flattie or two if you put your time in. Flounder fishing’s not what it use to be so don’t expect a heavy bite but you may just get one. It pays to chum with a clam log or broken mussels to get the fish to come to you. Mussels, Fresh Clams or Sandworms would be on the menu as bait. If you have a boat, check out Lloyd Harbor and Duck Island Harbor as these have been two of the better locations years past. Dark muddy bottoms warm up the quickest, best bet is to  anchor up and chum heavily in these areas. In another week or two, if conditions are calm, I even like to drift as you would for fluke to find them. Then drop anchor and chum away. Two fish limit at 12″ length.

Striped Bass: The season doesn’t open until April 15th in our waters but catch & release fishing is allowed. Storm Shads, Grub Tails and Bucktails will get you a bass or two in the usual haunts. If working artificials, low and slow is the word early in the season as the fish are not too aggressive with low water temps. Whole sandworms or bunker would be your best bait if that’s your style of fishing. You don’t need to head out on a boat to enjoy catching bass around here. I regularly take them in very shallow water in the harbors and the bay right from the beach. If you can find rocky structure or a drop off, that would be a good place to cast.

It’s heating up folks. I for one will be getting my boat ready over the next few weekends and will touch base in a few weeks. By then, blackfish, blues and fluke will be entering the picture.The boys at both our local tackle shops can guide you with the right set ups and bait. New management has taken over the old Northport Bait and Tackle at Britannia Yacht Club. Now appropriately called Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle.

North East Bait and Tackle
Hi Hook Bait and Tackle
Cow Harbor Bait and Tackle

Tight lines and screaming reels….

Bob