The boat fishing was also only fair with fewer than 10 hookups last Sunday. Terry, Brian and Tim did enjoy the challenge of coaxing some plump stripers from the reefs with 7" Sluggo's at Good Harbor and Straitsmouth.

I got out early Friday morning and hooked up 10 stripers, all on the fly and mostly at Milk Island. I did observe signs of surface “slurping” behavior indicating that a crustacean hatch has begun. Most of my catch was 22 to 27 inches and plump (checkout video below). I know that a few locals are taking some bigger fish live lining macks and Pollock. I’ll be giving that a try next week.

I have also been told of some unexpected super action well to our south at Montauk and Sag Harbors. Den Kelley landed more than 160 stripers over a two night period fishing live eels from his boat. The stripers ranged in size from 30 to 45 inches. I told Den that we all hope his stripers move up this way! In addition to those stripers, the tuna anglers tell me that Stellwagon continues to be loaded with big stripers feasting on sandeels. Most likely those stripers will stay offshore until the bait disappears or they get chased off by whales, tuna and bluefish….we can only hope!