by Al “Big Time” Daniels
As I write this on Monday afternoon the wind is blowing northeast at over 50 mph. Roads are flooded and ocean beaches are currently non-existent. We are taking a beating from Hurricane Sandy. Prior to the storm fishing had been good. North of Plum Island shorts and keepers were taking crabs. Fishers Island had bigger fish. The moon tides have made holding bottom a struggle.
Bass fishing was okay prior to the storm with a few bluefish. Who knows what will happen now that the storm is past. It may send everything packing. Some good signs were starting as codfish were caught on the deep water wrecks.
The scallop reports have been depressing. Testers found high mortality rates with very few live adult scallops. Some juvenile scallops were caught. What looked like a banner year may end up as a big disappointment.
The season opens on November 5 and we will have to wait and see.
The bays were loaded with divers. Scoters and long tailed ducks make up the bulk. Birds have gathered in large flocks for the trip south. We will see what the aftermath of this storm leaves us. Please take care and be safe.
