Spring is upon us, won’t be long now till we’re all back on the water! Got another little cold snap coming, and that should be the last of the close to freezing temperatures, but for the most part it’s time to get ready. We’ve had some nice days to work on the boats, to get ready for the 2024 season. This time of year you have to take advantage of every available nice day! Marine equipment, paints, tackle, etc, etc. are much more available these days, but keep in mind there’s a lot of boats getting ready for the upcoming season, so don’t wait till the last minute, or you may be dealing with back orders!
Regulations finally came in for the 2024 Fluke season. The vote that won is for the season to open April 1st and run through October 31st. The bag limit per angler will remain at 4, but the size limit goes up 1 inch to 19 1/2 inches. This will be a longer season to fish for the Flatties, and hopefully the milder winter will enable the Fluke to show up earlier this year. Granted it all depends on the arrival of the bait fish and water temperature. 19 1/2 inches is a big jump and is really a nice sized Fluke to catch on any day. The past few years there has been a good amount of juvenile Fluke on the rips, we just got to hope they have grown up.It will definitely be interesting for sure!
Striped Bass Regulations will still be the same and there has been no word on the Scup (Porgy), and Black Sea Bass as of yet. Also there has been no update on the Mako Shark moratorium. As usual we will post any changes as soon as they become available.
We have to announce the closing of Paulie’s bait & tackle shop in town on Emerson Ave. It was the last remaining tackle shop in town. It was bad enough when Johnny’s tackle closed a few years back. Tackle & equipment can still be obtained at Montauk Marine Basin, Star Island Marina, & Westlake Fishing Lodge. Montauk has changed a lot recently, but the one thing these new developers will never change is the fact that Montauk is one of the premier Sportsfishing Capitols of the world! Montauk also has an intense Commercial history that still thrives to this day. People come from all over the world to experience the numerous species of fish that have been frequenting Montauk point waters for hundreds of years. Fishermen built this town and this town was built to accommodate fishermen, it’s literally one of a kind with an immense and amazing history. Fishing is really what Montauk is all about, and will continue to be for years to come!
When you come fishing in Montauk, you most likely will go home with a memory of a lifetime!
~ Tight Lines, Captain Skip
