8/11/08

Star Island held it’s mako/thresher Mania tournament over the weekend. It had about 40 participating boats which is a
little below normal, but all the tournaments were smaller this year. There were also a half dozen “shark huggers” hanging
around on the grass triangle at the entrance to the causeway, as well as the plane dragging the “Stop the Cruel Shark
Tournaments“ banner. The results were a little surprising since most years the makos caught run around 150 pounds or
so. The results are as follows;
1st Place Mako - 256 lbs - GREAT ESCAPE
2nd Place Mako - 181 lbs - SUSIE E
3rd Place Mako - 131 lbs - LAURALINE
1st Place Thresher - 348 lbs - THE KID
2nd Place Thresher - 178 lbs - VOLATILITY

Overall, the shark fishing is on the slow side, since the blue sharks have pretty much left. So you are pretty much fishing
for makos, with maybe a thresher or some kind of exotic like a hammerhead or tiger.

Tuna fishing has gone into the crapper. The bluefins that were hanging around southeast of Block Island are pretty much
gone. There are still occasional fish being caught, but don’t count on it. Out near the edge you might be able to catch a
yellowfin or two, but you need to keep a ruler handy. Of course you could also catch nothing as I did on Tuesday. That
day, listening to the radio, it seems like there were more marlin and big eyes caught than yellowfins, not that there were
that many of those. Longfins have yet to make an appearance.

Inshore the fluke fishing is off the charts. We all thought that we would have a hard time due to the regs, but this week
the charter boats were coming back with limits. And don’t forget a keeper is around 4 pounds or so. Most of the action is
on the south side around New Grounds or the Parachute Jump.

The striped bass fishing isn’t what it was, but it is still pretty good especially when you consider the size of the fish being
caught. Most of the fish are either short or 25 pounds and up. Bluefish have been a bit of a problem though.

If you would like to get these reports sent to you directly, drop me a line at captgene@montauksportfishing.com and I’ll
put you on the list.

Capt Gene Kelly - Montauk Sportfishing