kroppe
09-27-2007, 09:36 PM
Just got back from 2 days of surf fishing for striped bass at Montauk, Long Island (NY). Had a great time getting some R&R in this neat and beautiful Atlantic coast village. It was a 5 hour drive from home, and was "interesting" getting through north Jersey traffic and the Cross Bronx Expressway. It made for a cool juxtaposition of megalopolis and peaceful surf town.
The target beaches were the Montauk Point lighthouse, and the public beach in town. I fished the high tides, which were approximately 8:30 am and 8:30 p.m. each day. The general idea is to fish a bit of the incoming and outgoing waters. This is roughly 2 hours before and after high tide. But this is just a rule of thumb, because fish are caught at all times of day. Weather was great, in the low 70s during the day and upper 60s at night. The wind was a constant 15-20 mph out of the southwest. The town beach was on the south shore, directly in the wind. The lighthouse was in the lee, and fishing was easier there.
On the first day, I started fishing at 6:00 p.m. By 6:15 p.m. I had a 10 lb bluefish on the beach. "Wow, this is going to be great!", I thought to myself. It was great, but that was going be the last fish I landed or caught. Beginner's luck I guess. The fishing was truely excellent, but the catching was pretty sparse. The fish aren't there yet, probably a week or two until they arrive. It's hard to time the fall striper run exactly, unless you are a local. So you just pick your window and go for it, which is what I did.
Tackle-wise, I used a 10' Fenwick SaltStick, with a Shimano Sedona 6000 FB, spooled with 12 lb. vanilla-brand monofilament, and a heavy snap swivel tied to the end of the line. Lures consisted of a large Bomber Long-A, a 2 1/2 ounce surface popper, and 1 1/2 ounce bucktail jigs. The surface poppers are of local origin, but the closest thing on Cabela's website is the Yo-Zuri Surface Bull. I caught the bluefish on a chartreuse bucktail jig, cast as far as humanly possible into the surf.
Other gear included waders and a shoulder bag. You don't need a ton of stuff in your bag, especially because you will be walking up and down the beach alot. A half dozen lures is more than enough. I recommend breathable waders for this time of year. If the surf is rough you will need a rain jacket of some kind. I used a short wading jacket, the kind I wear trout fishing. The locals were wearing Helly Hansen waterproof jackets that extend below the waist. This is a good idea, because a wave breaking near or on you will overtop your waders if you are wearing a short jacket. Don't ask me how I know this. ;)
Don't forget a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. You'll be out there longer than you realize, and the wind, spray and sun will take a toll on your nose, ears and back of neck.
Stayed at Hither Hills State Park. Nice park, half empty. Half of the campers were fishermen, the other half were retirees on vacation. One bathhouse is 2 years old, and is still new-ish and well appointed. For eats, John's Pancake house is great for breakfast and hot coffee. The Shagwong Restaurant has excellent dinner fare, a cut above the average burger/beer place. I recommend the crispy duck, yum! Of course if you're out this way, you have to eat lunch at The Lobster Roll Restaurant, also known as "Lunch" because of the large sign bearing this word on it. Great lobster bisque and fried clam strip sandwiches, with fresh cole slaw on the side. All washed down with crisp, cold iced tea and lemon.
I highly recommend this fishing destination, certainly for the fishing, but also for the enjoyment of being on the far eastern tip of Long Island. Getting there is a trip, literally and figuratively. Driving through the Hamptons is interesting, and it is easy to lose count of Aston Martins and Ferraris on the streets there. The area has a certain panache and aura that is 100% Atlantic coastal culture in its truest form. Try it!
The target beaches were the Montauk Point lighthouse, and the public beach in town. I fished the high tides, which were approximately 8:30 am and 8:30 p.m. each day. The general idea is to fish a bit of the incoming and outgoing waters. This is roughly 2 hours before and after high tide. But this is just a rule of thumb, because fish are caught at all times of day. Weather was great, in the low 70s during the day and upper 60s at night. The wind was a constant 15-20 mph out of the southwest. The town beach was on the south shore, directly in the wind. The lighthouse was in the lee, and fishing was easier there.
On the first day, I started fishing at 6:00 p.m. By 6:15 p.m. I had a 10 lb bluefish on the beach. "Wow, this is going to be great!", I thought to myself. It was great, but that was going be the last fish I landed or caught. Beginner's luck I guess. The fishing was truely excellent, but the catching was pretty sparse. The fish aren't there yet, probably a week or two until they arrive. It's hard to time the fall striper run exactly, unless you are a local. So you just pick your window and go for it, which is what I did.
Tackle-wise, I used a 10' Fenwick SaltStick, with a Shimano Sedona 6000 FB, spooled with 12 lb. vanilla-brand monofilament, and a heavy snap swivel tied to the end of the line. Lures consisted of a large Bomber Long-A, a 2 1/2 ounce surface popper, and 1 1/2 ounce bucktail jigs. The surface poppers are of local origin, but the closest thing on Cabela's website is the Yo-Zuri Surface Bull. I caught the bluefish on a chartreuse bucktail jig, cast as far as humanly possible into the surf.
Other gear included waders and a shoulder bag. You don't need a ton of stuff in your bag, especially because you will be walking up and down the beach alot. A half dozen lures is more than enough. I recommend breathable waders for this time of year. If the surf is rough you will need a rain jacket of some kind. I used a short wading jacket, the kind I wear trout fishing. The locals were wearing Helly Hansen waterproof jackets that extend below the waist. This is a good idea, because a wave breaking near or on you will overtop your waders if you are wearing a short jacket. Don't ask me how I know this. ;)
Don't forget a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. You'll be out there longer than you realize, and the wind, spray and sun will take a toll on your nose, ears and back of neck.
Stayed at Hither Hills State Park. Nice park, half empty. Half of the campers were fishermen, the other half were retirees on vacation. One bathhouse is 2 years old, and is still new-ish and well appointed. For eats, John's Pancake house is great for breakfast and hot coffee. The Shagwong Restaurant has excellent dinner fare, a cut above the average burger/beer place. I recommend the crispy duck, yum! Of course if you're out this way, you have to eat lunch at The Lobster Roll Restaurant, also known as "Lunch" because of the large sign bearing this word on it. Great lobster bisque and fried clam strip sandwiches, with fresh cole slaw on the side. All washed down with crisp, cold iced tea and lemon.
I highly recommend this fishing destination, certainly for the fishing, but also for the enjoyment of being on the far eastern tip of Long Island. Getting there is a trip, literally and figuratively. Driving through the Hamptons is interesting, and it is easy to lose count of Aston Martins and Ferraris on the streets there. The area has a certain panache and aura that is 100% Atlantic coastal culture in its truest form. Try it!