AS devastating as Hurricane Floyd was to people in New Jersey, Westchester and Rockland counties, it wasn’t a major problem for the shores of New York or New Jersey, although there wasn’t any fishing frenzy that followed its passing, which many had expected.
Now we have Gert out in the middle of the Atlantic, and apart from some big swells hitting the beaches, party and charter boats had little or no problem fishing in relatively calm seas this past weekend.
Those who continued to chum for blues and false albacore at the Mud Buoy and 17 Fathoms picked up where they left off before Floyd came through. Bottom fishing was also a plus at wrecks, and reefs continued to produce sea bass and porgies. However, fluke fishing seemed to take a hit last weekend on the ocean side of the beaches, although there were some decent catches made in the bays along Long Island’s south shore.
We also hear the action at Hudson Canyon, which was getting reel hot before Floyd, dropped off quite a bit, as cooler water was moving along the Continental Shelf over the weekend.
If you’re in the market for a new boat that will weather these storms better, then you might want to check out the array of fishing craft that will be on display at the Norwalk In-Water Boat Show, which will run tomorrow through Sunday at the Cove Marina in East Norwalk, Conn.
You’ll no doubt be able to cash in on some end of summer deals, and with more than 750 boats on display, ranging from the big motor and sailing yachts to sport fishers and inflatables, you should find one that fits your needs. There will also be Discover Sailing boat rides out into L.I. Sound.
The marina is located off Exit 16 on I-95, and the boat show will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. If you’d like more info, visit their web site at http://www.boatshows.com. If you hunt migratory birds you must register with the federal Harvest Information Program or HIP.
Migratory game bird hunters must register for each license year in every state in which they plan to hunt. You’re given a unique number that you then record on the back of your license.
In New York, hunters must call (888) 427-5447 and the automated line is open 24 hours a day. In New Jersey, hunters must call (800) 938-5263, or you can use their web site at http://www.nextlinkinteractive.com/HIP99. *Billed as the largest convention of sportsmen on Long Island, the 1999 edition of the Annual Sportsmen’s Rally/Candidates Night is set for Friday at 7 p.m. at the Peconic River Sportsmen’s Club in Manorville. This year’s rally is expected to host the usual 400 to 500 sportsmen and women who are intensely concerned with legislation that adversely affects their sports of hunting, target shooting, archery, parkland access, fishing and related boating. For more information, call (516) 728-2680 or (516) 727-5248.