(September 14, 2023) Unfortunately, by the time you read this fishing report, it will likely serve as welcome entertainment but not much value in your fishing life.
As the hurricane moves north this week, we are set to experience some dangerous weather conditions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday that will change our entire fishery. However, I will tell you what is happening in our fisheries and what I expect will happen in our fisheries.
First, I’m not a meteorologist, so this may not be entirely true, but let me take a minute to let you know what I think will happen weather-wise this weekend. It looks like the storm will be heading east of us, but that means we’ll have big swell and big wind gusts from the east over the weekend. It should be a good weekend to find a nice book and hunker down, unless you want to try your luck in more sheltered areas of the island.
East winds will push a lot of cold water into our fisheries, where water temperatures are currently still around 70 degrees. I suspect we will see water temps drop into the mid 60s and the swell and wind will completely shake up the lure.
The cold water will likely push the bonito out of our area and the false albacore will light up. Albies like slightly cooler water and love changing ecosystems. Some of my best alpine hunting has been during and after a big strike.
The big swells and changing water temperatures must also be incredible for bass fishing, which has been relatively stagnant. Early next week we should see all the edges alive with birds, bait and fish. Let’s hope so, anyway. Be careful Until the swell subsides, but the eastern and western edges should be full of life.
For now, we still have plenty of bonito in the mix. Before this year, I had never heard of anglers catching bonito from the beach on the South Shore, but last week, we received several reports of bonito along the Fisherman and Surfside shoreline. This should come as no surprise since there are plenty of bonito in the Miacomet area and along the south shore.
This was a fun new catch for us. We are also seeing a lot of bonito around the western end of the island and at Great Point. These fish can be targeted from shore and boat with epoxy or small swim plugs.
Targeting false albacore is still a lot of fun. There are a lot of fish around and while they are there Not everywhere, fishermen seem to have caught them from all over the island. Madakit, the southeastern part of the island and Great Point have been the hotspots, but there are fish along the north shore and east side of the island and horns to the south as well. So, always keep your eyes open.
The inshore fishing at Great Point is still really good. The outside was more productive than the inside, but both held fish.
Bluefish are also found all over the island in smaller numbers, but if I were to target them in just one location it would be around Sankati. The fishing is great. The fish are huge though, so be prepared with your gear because these fish pass through the gear.
Although I don’t know where our fisheries are headed, I like their evolution. I like when it changes and I doubt the cold water will re-energize much of the fishing. Go enjoy the fall weather and tight lines.
Cam Gammill is co-owner of Bill Fisher Tackle.