Declining winter flounder stocks have been a source of
consternation amongst the angling community in recent years. Once abundant enough that recreational catches began in late February and were measured in dozens, state-imposed restrictions now limit fishermen to keeping no more than 10 per day with a minimum length of 12 inches and a stingy season of April 1 through May 30.
The exact mechanism of the flounder's decline has proved difficult to pinpoint. Likely, it's a combination of factors including over-harvesting; degradation of inshore spawning grounds; loss of eel grass beds, where juvenile flounder once found sanctuary, and increased predation from marauding stripers, cormorants and even seals. Some fisheries advocates have suggested placing a moratorium on flounder catches and that may come. For the time being, tempting "black back" flounder remains a rite of spring passage with anglers recognizing catches of five or six as "solid" by current standards.
Only a decade ago, the Quogue and Shinnecock canals still ruled as early season flattie hot spots, but recent years have had the flounder awaken first in the western quadrant. April is generally productive in Raritan and Jamaica Bays, at Smiths Point and off Buoy 15 on Moriches Bay, and inside the North Shore harbors. May has quality catches at Roamer Shoals, just inside Jones, Fire Island and Moriches inlets, and in Lake Montauk. Early in the season, mussels, blood worms and ebbing tides produce best. Sandworms, clams and incoming water provide an edge toward season's end. Heavy chumming with crushed mussel or ground clam helps to incite the bite.
"The mild weather over the past few days has got the flatties chewing," said Mike Cannon, skipper of the Howard Beach open boat, Capt. Mike. "We've been fishing in 18 feet of water on Jamaica Bay, only minutes from the dock, where the ebb has been productive. Monday witnessed Charlie Brower, Mike Motta and Freddie Azaiter use mussel and sandworm combos to tally 27 keepers."
Dave Paras, captain of the Sheepshead Bay open boat, Capt. Dave, said his best scores have come from 25 feet of water near the Nova Bar and The Wall areas of Jamaica Bay. On Wednesday, 30 fares accounted for 60 flatties. Tuesday had 50 flatties for 10 passengers.
Mike Barnett, skipper of the Freeport charter boat, Codfather, has been fishing "deep inside Raritan Bay." There his crews have managed 25 to 40 fish a trip for an average of four fares.
On Great South Bay, Joe Vanderveldt of the Captree open boat, Jib VI, reported picking between 10 and 20 fish a trip on the Heckshere flats. Decent scores also have come from 8-foot depths on the Bayshore flats, off Good Samaritan Hospital.
According to Chris Cullen, from the City Island open boat, Island Current, flounder catches in western Long Island Sound have been best on ebb tides in 10-foot depths around Eastchester Bay. A few flatties also have been culled from Duck Harbor, Lloyds Harbor and Port Jefferson Harbor.
Winter flounder are most active in 50- to 55-degree water temperatures. As of yesterday, most bays and harbors around Long Island had surface temperatures of 47 to 49 degrees. If the flattie action holds true to form, the next few weeks should see catches steadily build as the water eases above 50 degrees.
