Craig Cantelmo
Captain Craig Cantelmo of Van Staal Reels reports that the first large bass began filtering into both Shinnecock and Peconic Bays this week. Sand eels also started to show with clouds of “shoe strings” bringing in schools of 24-36” fish along the shore lines. These fish are responding well to top water plugs and small Storm baits. Large schools of bunker are still in all of the coves and creeks in both Shinnecock and the Peconics with the large bass moving around them. Try to fish the sides of these schools with big metal lip swimmers late in the afternoon and early in the morning for the best results.
Fish on the flats were responding to flies on Sunday. When throwing flies at these fish … less is more! The smaller, sparse patterns seem to work best.
Ken Morse at Tight Lines Tackle in Sag Harbor says fluke season has started with a lot of “throw backs.” He did speak with one fishermen who had 10 keepers over 5 lbs. Lots of boats are fishing the “green lawns.” There was an amazing run of big weakfish up to 17 lbs. within casting distance of the beach several days ago, but the recent wind shift has clouded the water and made fishing tough.
Captain John McMurray of One More Cast Charters says the fishing picked up right where it left off in Jamaica Bay as soon as the wind settled down. The grass shrimp hatches weren't readily apparent, but those larger stripers were most certainly there. They seemed to be on bigger bait. But more importantly they were still in shallow water, and they were still hammering poppers! Sunday was spectacular. Almost no wind and big bass were smashing Slug-Go’s in just a few feet of water. There were some big bluefish mixed in with the bass as well. John says the fishing this spring is the best it has been in the last 5 years.
Check back for a new report every Wednesday.
- Tee Clarkson
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