Weakfishing 9 to 5

All you have to do is wait a week for the weather to change. Summer began cool and windy, and now it’s been hot, humid and hazy.

Whether it was the smoke or fog, mornings were socked in. One good thing is, the wind has been calm. These hot days have caused the water temps to rise. The bay is 75 degrees plus this week, great for swimming and beachgoers — but for fishing? Not so much.

Fishing locally has started to take on the look of the summer doldrums. Porgies have been biting throughout the bay. Sizes are mixed, with smaller fish. Keepers are mixed in. Large fish are from Plum Island, the sound and points to the east.

The aforementioned spots also are producing some large sea bass. Fluke fishing has become a little better. Try the north side of Shelter Island, Cedar Point and east to Napeague Harbor. Use S/S sandwiches for large keeper-sized fish. Plenty of shorts are mixed in. Work deeper water for those targeting the larger fish.

Striped bass fishing in the bays has become quiet, with still a few fish from South Ferry. There is a better chance of slot-sized fish at Plum Gut, the Race and Montauk.

Everyone is struggling to find a fish to bring home for dinner, but most of the bass are too big. Some small bluefish are in the bay. They are not concentrated and mostly are 1 to 4 pounds. Jigs and metal lures are all working. Larger bluefish are around Montauk for the boat fisherman.

The warm bay temps have seemed to jump-start the summer weakfishing. They have been biting well on high/low squid rigs and small jigs. You will have to locate them every day, but they will cooperate. This week, the sizes are mixed and range from 9 inches to 5 pounds. They are fun to catch and great for the kids.

The hot weather has the tuna biting offshore — and, again, fresh yellowfin tuna is hard to beat.

There is news of blue crabs being taken, with pots catching the most. That crabmeat makes a great crab cocktail and crab cakes.