How To Fishing Blogs

Misfit Kayak Fishing – Putting in the Work

At Ponquogue it went from lights-out fishing to slim pickings, then back to a solid bite again – with a little chaos mixed in – all in a span of about 5 days. How’s that for a report? I’ll call it hit-or-miss. The fishing was great until a surge of newbies and out-of-towners arrived and really changed the tone of the place at night, and not for the better. Police showed up to ensure that only those with valid permits were there. I would suggest to the intrepid angler who’s arriving for their tide with the crowd and taking a position on the bridge for the next 3 hours to step away from the crowd and walk the bay beach eastward. There are a lot of nice stripers to be had that will ensure both a good fight and some social distance. Same goes for Ponquogue ocean beach; a short walk east from the pavillion provides a mile of surf casting opportunity. So the fishing around Ponquogue (bridge and ocean beach) is hit-or-miss. It’s "hit" if you pay attention to the tides, and it’s "miss" if you just show up. The real estate around there right now is too valuable of a commodity for me to just give up my most 20200530_022843.jpgproductive tide, but I can say that trolling a crystal minnow got me the fish I had on this last trip – 8 bass up to 28 inches and 2 cocktail 20200530_015320.jpgblues.
Podcast

IT’S TIME TO LET US FISH!

Billy the Greek, FlounderJoe and Donald Trump weigh in on this entertaining and informative podcast

This is our best podcast yet. Donald Trump, Billy the Greek, Flounderjoe, as well as all of your favorite features. The podcast begins with George Scocca explain why we need to get our party and charter boats back in business. Why is it we can enter a packed Lowes or Supermarket but we can’t get on a party or charter boat? Many forget that fishing is a sport that contributes over 3-billion dollars a year to our local economies. It also helps to relax anglers that haven’t fished in months and are dealing with financial chaos.

George hears from our President, and he speaks with Billy the Greek about our best bet tactics and places to find striped bass from the beaches. Then we have some insight from a popular figure on nyangler.com Flounder Joe, who is just getting over COVID-19 and plans to get back out fishing as soon as he’s able. Add to that all of our regular features and you have an hour of fishing fun.

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Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Blogs

Happy Opening Day For Striped Bass in New York! – Don’t forget the new regulations.

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Hello All You New York Striped Bass Anglers, The day is here, opening day! New regulations are in place so please abide by them. For the first time in the history of this state we now have a slot size. In order to keep one bass a day, it must be between 28-35-inches. All other fish must be released. I’m an "if it’s not broken don’t fix it" kinda guy, and the one fish per day over 36-inches sure worked well in the ’90s. Now we’ll see how well the slot does. The slot changes a lot including the many bass tourneys up and down the coast as well as the dream to land that 50-pounder. But we will do whatever we can to rebuild the fishery.

Next year we will be adding mandatory circle hooks for anglers using bait.

I realize for many of you this is a moot point as our boats are locked in their yards, and we’re on hold all day dealing with some sort of financial issue. But those are the exact people that need to get outdoors and make the best of a really bad situation. And help get the economy going at the same time.

New York Fishing Reports

Striped Bass are right on time

Striped bass are right ontime as they gather to head up the Hudson to spawn. But that not stoping catch and release anglers from gettin in on the fun. There are new regualtions this year whch you can find here

@_dangram_ hoisting a nice fish caught on a @ccwnj08302 DP4.
“It has been difficult to do trips this season with the ongoing situation but with the little time I’ve had on the water has been very eventful thanks to the new CCW DP4. Getting down 10-15 feet in a few fast cranks, this plug calls in fish of all sizes from all depths of the water column. The best way to describe the action is that of the heavy pulsating action of a bunker spoon but still maintaining a tight irresistible wiggle”

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How To Fishing Blogs

A Message to Fishing Charters, Guides and Anglers From NYS

Here is a case where an organized and united group of anglers and the industry could influence the state/feds to open up tackle shops. I’m sorry if a liquor store is considered "essential" than so is the tackle shop. How many DWI’s will a tackle shop cause? What anglers enjoy fishing right next to others? It sure won’t be an issue keeping 10-people in at a time. I said this on my latest podcast and I truly believe that anglers will flock to the water and the outdoors. We can all hide in our secrete spots and easily keep a distance. It’s inherent in fishing. We want seclusion. I know I do.

I hate the term "social distancing." It should be coined "physical distancing. We want to and need to be social nowadays.

There are many of us that enjoy the solace fishing, more so than a drink. Anglers naturally keep a physical difference, and we spend a lot of money on our sport!

I know we’re in unchartered waters, but getting people outdoors seems like a no brainer to me.
Fishing Safely This Season

A fishing rod between two people

New York State is open for fishing and DEC encourages anglers to recreate locally at a nearby waterbody. New York’s lakes and streams offer great opportunities for fishing in a wide array of settings across the state. Even during the current COVID-19 public health crisis, getting outdoors and connecting with nature while angling in New York’s waters is a great way to help maintain mental and physical health.
Please continue to follow the CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19:

  • Try to keep at least six feet of distance between you and others.
  • Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands.
  • Wash hands often or use a hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs, handrails, and playground equipment.

When fishing, DEC recommends avoiding busy waters and following the guidelines on DEC’s website about fishing responsibly in New York State. If an angler arrives at a parking lot and there are several cars, they should consider going to another parking lot. If an angler is fishing upstream, they should fish downstream of the other angler or consider fishing another day. Anglers fishing from boats should always be able to maintain at least six feet of distance between one another. For more information about the benefits of being outdoors safely and responsibly, go to DEC’s website.
Charters and Guides
The "New York State on PAUSE" Executive Order, a 10-point policy to assure uniform safety for everyone during the COVID-19 response, includes a directive that all non-essential businesses statewide must close effective at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, and temporarily bans all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason.
At this time, fishing guides or charters of any size have been determined to be not essential and are subject to workforce reduction requirements of the Executive Order. The full and updated guidance on which types of businesses are determined essential and other designations associated with the order can be found online.
Spring Blackfish
Spring Blackfish
Long Island Sound Fishing Report

Tog are chewing away

Togs are chewing away! At this point, most reports we’re getting are that blackish are chewing well in 47-48 degree water temps, in shallow water. It’s blowing pretty strong out there today so we don’t expect to get many more.

Cooper is all smiles while getting in on the April tautog season.

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@cooper.bohner on some nice spring time tog 💪🏼
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#tautog #tog #togfishing #blackfish #wreckfish #reeffishing #bottomfishing #inshorefishing #nyangler #nyfishing #fishny #longislandfishing #eastcoastfishing #springfishing #fishli #wrasse #fishinglongisland #springfishing

tautog underwater
tautog underwater
Podcast

Covid-19 and Getting ready for Tautog!

As we weave through this virus attacking the world, George suggests taking advantage of this great weather and get in on the opening of the saltwater fishing season. Yes Covid-19 could throw a monkey wrench into many of our plans. But if you want "social distance" we can’t think of a better way to achieve that than to find your secrete spot and spend some time there.

This year’s tautog season includes the month of April for New York Recreational Anglers to keep two a day at a minimum of 16-inches. Many of the females you catch will be egg laden as it is spawning season. Please consider returning them. They females represent the future of the health of the tog fishery.

Winter flounder season also opens on April 1st. You’re allowed two flounder a day.

As of this broadcast, party and charter boats will not be allowed to leave the dock, and tackle shops are being creative. This moving target could change as we move forward. So please check the nysdec.gov website for updates. George feels strongly that we should get as many people outdoors as possible.

To lighten it up a bit and hopefully help you back in fishing mode. George speaks with Captain Mike Bady of Captains Table Charters in Greenport. Captain Mike is known as one of the most knowledgeable tautog fishermen on the north fork. You will know why after listening to his interview.

As we head into these crazy times ahead lets practice all of the tips provided to us by the CDC. And spend as much time on the water as possible!

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