It’s go time everyone, the Striped Bass and Bluefish are tearing it up off the Montauk Lighthouse. Diamond Jigs and top water plugs are a great way to catch them this time of year. Both tides have been producing fish, and the cooler water temperature and the immense amount of bait should keep them around for some time. Sand eels, squid, even butterfish are being found in their stomachs. Bluefish tend to get a bad rap about being too strong or oily and yes, the really big ones can be on the strong-tasting side. BUT, there are some tricks that you would not believe to make delicious servings of Bluefish!
For instance, take the biggest badest Bluefish fillet it and skin it lay the skinless fillets in a baking pan, put them in the oven at 300 degrees until the fillets turn lighter and pull apart easily with a fork. Let cool, then separate and remove all of the dark meat, and feed that to your dogs or cats. Now instead of using Crab or Cod you get your favorite fish cakes or Crab cakes recipe and use the Bluefish meat that you have removed all of the dark meat from. You will be pleasantly surprised and blown away at how delicious they turn out. Bluefish meat is very good for you it’s loaded with Omegas which have many health benefits. The smaller “cocktail” Bluefish can simply be filleted and skinned, once again trim out the red, darker meat and you are ready for Baking, Broiling, or making fried Bluefish fingers.
The Fluke and Black Sea Bass are starting to show back up after running offshore away from the miserable winter we’ve had. Once again as the water temperature continues to warm up the Fluke and Black Sea Bass action will heat up as well. All the early season spots are all worth taking a look at, give it some time and try to get on some bait. If you mark the schools of the small sand eels, that will really increase your odds of finding the Fluke. Don’t forget to work the slopes and valleys.
Offshore, out by East Atlantis, a nice warm water eddy produced some early 60-70 pound class Yellowfin along with some nice Bigeyes. A very good sign this early in the season. Closer in by the inshore Tuna grounds there is plenty of good sign. Whales, Porpoise, lots of big offshore sand eels showing, but no School Bluefin as of yet.
It should be busting open very soon, so make your plans and reservations so you don’t miss out!
~ Tight Lines, Capt. Skip
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