New Regulations For '2023 • Striped Bass Regs? Maybe • Fluke Season Opens • Weakfish- Bluefish- Bass And Porgies Arrive In Force

New Regulations For '2023

May 1st is the opening day for Fluke in New York.  Preliminary reports have been good.  Predictions are that it's going to be a spectacular opening.  So, A couple of fluke rigs and a spearing-squid combo will "do the trick" and hopefully bring home a 10lb doormat. Some good places to start are  Shinecock Inlet  and Moriches bays (Narrow Bay.) 

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Breaking News......Striped bass off the local docks, Weakfish catches reported to the west. Porgies caught to the east. Bluefish offshore and fluke opened May 1st!!

Regulation update

As some of you may have heard, there is talk of a new emergency striped bass slot size regulation of 28-31 inches that is poised to go in to effect. BUT NOT YET!!!

As of right now this is only a "dictate" from the Atlantic State Marine fishery Commission (ASMFC).

The current regulation of 28-35" slot size stays in effect until New York state approves this rule from the ASMFC. Currently NYS has until July 2nd to ratify this proposal.

However, until a decision is finalized by the NYS DEC the current slot of 28-35 inches will remain in place.

Patchogue locals had a good pick of schoolie striped bass in the back bays. Shinnecock Canal, most bridges and docks  too have fish. Using light tackle with small soft plastics and bucktails makes for a more exciting catch. 

The local dock in Patchogue ( Patchogue's Mascot Dock ) is starting to see some life with bass. Our first confirmed reports came in during the week of a couple of big Bass were landed on top water lures. In about a week the areas should be loaded and they will be hitting lures and bunker chunks aggressively. 

The boaters have been searching for bunker pods and targeting bass that feed upon these bait fish pods. Several big Bass have been reported using this technique. Bucktails and swim shads have also produced some fine catches.

Uncle Joe Torre with a 28” 8lb Weakfish

Weakfish are starting to make a appearance in our local area. Some fish are being caught in the bay on sandworms drifted along the bottom as well as small soft plastics on a jig head . With the warmer water temperatures coming they will start to feed more often as the season goes on .

May fishing forecast will be Weakfish and Bluefish at the local docks.  It's time to try tins or bucktails  or if bait is preferred, use a chunk of bunker or mackerel. Breaking News: Bluefish reported at Shinnecock inlet. Fish have been report to 12+lbs.  Tins, popping plugs and bunker bait are producing fine results.

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Now, if you're eagerly awaiting the first signs of porgies, you don't have to wait. They too are here and are  humongous. I have already heard of porgies topping 5lbs!!! Peconic bays are the first location for these early tasty treats.

Spring Clam Chumming for Bass
Spring is a great time to chum for Striped Bass using Clam Bellies. When chumming for Bass off of your boat you will need to anchor up current of a bridge piling or in a cut near an inlet or off of a sandbar next to deeper water, moving water is a must. Drop a block of frozen clam belly chum off of the side of your boat in a weighted chum cage or pot. Try to get the pot as far to the front of your boat as you can so the line on the pot doesn't interfere when landing a fish. Use a medium heavy boat rod with a level wind reel, I prefer mono line in 30 lb. test but you can use braid. Use a fish finder clip on your line tied to a barrel swivel with a 6/0 or 7/0 circle hook with a 36 in. leader of either 50-60 lb mono or flourocarbon.

Cast a full skimmer clam behind your boat out into the chum. You will need anywhere between a 5 and a 10 oz. bank sinker to hold bottom depending on how much current you are fishing. When the fish hit they will take the bait and run, when  using circle hooks just reel until the line is tight.

When fighting the fish you will also be fighting the current thats why I prefer a heavier rod. Land the fish as fast as you can so if it is released it will be less stressed. When clam chumming for Bass the action can be fast and furious at times so if a fish is hooked get a line out there as fast as you can after that first fish is landed.

Breaking news: 

Expect to see a regulatory change for striped bass this season. the change will be in the slot size allowed for harvest.  The new slot allowance will be 28”-31” down from a maximum point of 35”

https://www.thefisherman.com/asmfc-approves-emergency-striper-regs-one-fish-from-28-to-31-inches/

Opening Day Fluke Recipe:

Lemon Garlic Fluke
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Coat the bottom of a baking dish with cooking oil spray.

In a bowl mix together :
4 tablespoons of melted butter,
2 tablespoons of lemon juice,
2 tablespoons of crushed wet garlic,
1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.

1-Pat dry cleaned Fluke fillets (1- 1 1/2 lbs. and place in the baking dish.
2-Pour the contents of the bowl on top the fillets and sprinkle a little smoked paprika on the fillets.
3-Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the fillets turn flaky and firm.
4-Garnish with a lemon wedge and fresh parsley. Serve with Wild Rice and enjoy.

Some trout are still being picked at West lake. One customer bought some of our live shiners and used them to land two large sized brown trout. Over at Great Patchogue lake soft plastics rigged weedless can be fished around the weeds to target Pickerel. Use live shiners as well in the open areas for big Pickerel as well. Just a reminder, Largemouth Bass season is catch and release using artificial lures.

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Just a reminder. All anglers 16yrs and older are required to register for saltwater fishing or purchase a license for freshwater fishing in New York State.

You need to register before saltwater fishing. It's easy and it's FREE for NYS residents and all visitors.  To fish our local lakes and ponds, a Freshwater License is required. Basically, a NYS resident, Freshwater License, is available to purchase for a days fishing ($5.00) a week ($12.00) or a season (one year from date of purchase for $25.00.-Senior [70 or older] $5.00. )  Additional discounts are available for active military, disabled vets and more...... Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing Licenses are also available for a fee from $10.00-$50.00. 

Stop down at  J & J Sports  and we'll issue you a licenses or marine registry. To purchase a license or register  online- click HERE.   There's nothing worse than getting a ticket just because you went fishing. Have a smart phone? Here's an idea:

It's a good idea to "snap a shot" of your license so it's always with you in case of loss or its destroyed.

Get Your Sporting Licenses or Register for Marine Fishing
Buy your sporting license online or
By Phone: 1-866-933-2257

Send your reports, photos or your favorite fish recipe to: REPORTS@JJSPORTSFISHING.COM 

Don't forget to include, names, location and details (when possible: lures or bait used, tides, etc….) comments or questions are welcome. Call (631) 654-2311