TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Catching Summer Fun
Warm temperatures create healthy mix of fish in the Sound
By Amanda Lindner/alindner@longislandernews.com

Still not sure what to do this Labor Day Weekend? If Hurricane Earl doesn't drench the island, many residents will be grabbing their fishing rods and heading to the docks. Apparently, there's no better place to be during the season's 80-degree weather than out on the Long Island Sound, and the fish agree.

For saltwater bottom fish, the water's warmth turns the Long Island Sound into the Long Island "Spa" as a combination of blackfish, sea bass, fluke, striped bass, snappers, blue fish and porgies bask in the sauna-like temperatures and calm waters.

Porgies are especially abundant this time of year.

"They're all over the place now," said Captain James Schneider of James Joseph Fishing. Not very picky eaters and weighing only a couple of pounds, porgies are great catches for kids looking for the angling action. They make for good eating too, but better get fishing now, as Sept. 6 is the state cutoff for catching and keeping porgy and fluke. Schneider has been captaining charter and party boats in Huntington for 30 years. After Tuesday morning's trip, he came back with about 500 porgies and 50 sea bass. Sharing some of his tips for bringing home the big catch, the captain said one of the biggest mistakes he sees is one boat trying to get on top of another boat already fishing. "If they see bigger fish already feeding, they're going to go find their own isolated school," he said. "It's best to find a quiet area away from anyone else." Since the fish are mostly bottom feeders, most will be found near rock piles where there are plenty of mussels and clams for them to eat.

A key to catching a prize is not making a peep, Schneider said.

"You have to be quiet, especially when anchoring. Don't stomp your feet or move around too much," Schneider said. "Dropping a bucket will spook them right out from under your boat."

It's also important to use fresh bait - clams and worms work well - and have fishing rods rigged correctly.

"Most people invent something stupid they came up with on their own while their wives are yelling for them to paint the house or something. Guys that sell tackle will rig you up the best - tie the hooks up right. They want you to catch something good so they'll set you up properly," he said.

Schneider recommends fishing for bluefish and striped bass about three hours into the tide, when the water is the hardest. Bluefish will bite almost anything, but be careful of their sharp teeth when taking one off the hook. The fish should be the main entrée, not your fingers.

The Greatest Bluefish Tournament took place last week on the Sound with Eric Huner of Three Village taking first place with a 16-pound catch. Anthony Polumbo took Hi-Hook Bait and Tackle's port prize with a 13-pound bluefish.