Time For Haul Seining

The big summer holiday weekend is over. The weather cooperated, except for Saturday’s rainout. Beaches were crowded, as everyone wanted to enjoy the sun and water.

It’s time to get out those minnow nets and do some haul seining. I had a chance to help out 5-year-old Brody Brian Mannino, a young future fisherman, at Long Beach. Not only did we catch many shiners but the young of the year hatches made a great showing. There were dozens of marble-sized blowfish, with kingfish and sea robins. As they grow, it should be a good seining summer.

The fishing continues to be holding up. Water temps are around 70 degrees. Although the size is diminishing, the porgy bite remains strong. Drift to find the fish. If you want numbers, anchor and chum.

Locally, bluefish have been quiet even at Jessups. Plum Island and Montauk have bluefish, with some of the large variety. Both diamond jigs and trolling are catching fish.

There are still some striped bass locally, with some keepers. Again, Montauk and the Gut have striped bass of mixed sizes from shorts to jumbos, with the slot limit keepers in the middle.

Weakfish are throughout the Peconic and Noyac Bays. Fish hi/lo squid rigs in the deeper water for fish to 8 pounds.

There is a little improvement with the dismal fluke fishing. S/S sandwiches around Shelter Island and Southold are seeing a few more fish.

We have seen some good sea bass fishing since the season opened. The 16-inch limit has slowed the catching of the limit. Montauk and Block Island have good sea bass and porgy fishing, with more keepers being caught.

There are good reports of blueclaw crabs showing in the local creeks.

Let’s hope for some good summer fishing!