December 17, 2020
As the surf becomes barren, and boats are stored away for the winter, party/charter boats remain one of the only viable options for saltwater fishing. Luckily, the fishing this past week on those boats was outstanding. With cooler temps settling in, bigger cod (to 30 pounds) and double digit blackfish have been chewing well out in Montauk. Other bottom species such as pollock, jumbo sea bass, weakfish and big porgies are the main fish making it to the dinner table.
Land lubbers have just a few options, mainly in the fresh and brackish water. White perch have been biting all around the island, with some schools absolutely ravenous. 100 fish days can be easily attained. I’ve seen a few guys get their first perch this past week, and become addicted. Holdover striped bass can be found in many of the white perch waters, and they are (to my knowledge) the only stripers currently feeding on the eastern half of the island. I get a strong feeling that the last of the str