The first week in May was a tough one on the water with lots of wind and rain keeping most boats tied to the docks.  On a few of the nicer days some boats ventured out to CIA and landed some really nice trips of Cod a few Pollock and some Ling.  Some Cod were also being caught SE of Block Island.  The annoying Dogfish were looming but we could still fish through them.  By the second week of May the Dogfish had become so thick that Cod fishing was no longer an option.

The Lazy Bones was chasing Flounder and found a few biting in Lake Montauk and on Gin Beach.   With the potential moratorium on Winter Flounder for 2010 these could be the last trophies for awhile.

By May 10th enough Striped Bass were around to satisfy customers on the few charter boats that were sailing.  Most of the Bass were small keepers up to 10lbs. with an occasional 15lb. fish in the mix.  Lots of Blues were moving through and were being caught with the Bass.  This early action was mostly on the Pollock Rip, Elbow and Great Eastern.  Jigging green parachutes or trolling umbrella rigs were producing as well as diamond jigging.  Today May 17th, I saw Capt. Ron do a nice job for his charter on the DJ’s landing lots of Bass and Blues.  The birds were working in the deep water east of the Elbow and the Bass were gorging on Butterfish.

Opening day of Fluke season May 15th was promising with lots of nice fish caught south of the Elbow, under the radar and on Inner Frisbee.  The Lazy Bones had a really nice catch on both trips and some charter and private boats limited out.  The new regs on Fluke are 21inch and two fish per person.  On May 16th, a 12  _ lb. Fluke was caught on the Marlin Princess, now that’s a doormat.

As of this writing May 17th, a few more Bass have shown up.  Today started out tough with fog and a sloppy wind against tide sea on the Elbow.  My charter persevered and jigged up a nice catch of Stripers and a mess of Blues for the smoker.  Fluking was pretty good off Frisbee considering the swell which can shut off the bite.  We managed to put eight in the box up to 6lbs., a decent day in the office.

In June look for bigger Bass to show with 20 to 30 lb fish becoming more common.  Night Bass fishing will take off with the June moon on the 7th and some nice fish will be landed drifting eels on the Elbow, Pollock Rip and on the Porgy Hump.

Fluking will be good down the beach and fish will be taking in the Midway Rips and on the South Slopes of Great Eastern and the Porgy Hump.  Nice Fluke will also start to show on Pocketbook and East of Shagwong.  Black Seabass should be available on Inner and Outer Frisbee providing we can fish through the Dogfish. 

On the Off Shore scene sharking will begin the first week of June for those boats willing to venture out to 40 fathom.  By the 2nd week there will be fish in the 20mile strike range and some early Thresher’s and Mako’s will be landed. June is a great month to fish, so jump on your favorite party or charter boat and enjoy.

Until Next Time,
Keep Fishing and Dreaming,
Captain Mark