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Sports

Fishing Report: Big Ones Chasing The Bunker Pods

As the weather gets hot, so is the angling action, with big catches highlighting this week's report.

A week ago Sunday, a private boater headed out of Fire Island inlet  tossed jigs near the Robert Moses Bridge. As the tide picked up, he hooked some short fluke, then focused on striped bass using clam bellies as bait. A battle took place between the fisherman and a huge blue-gray ray which appeared to be about 7-feet across. It struggled and popped his 40-pound test leader, waving a wing in victory before vanishing.

There are big fish in these waters.

Another boater out of the inlet observed plenty of bunker in about 30-feet of water and hooked up with a heavy fluke bite, grabbing a doormat flattie south of the inlet.

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Pete, at Suffolk Bait & Tackle in Babylon, reported that Kort Panzer Jr. fished with dad, Kort Sr. for fluke and young Kort was rewarded with a 5.25-pound fluke that was weighed in at the shop. The fish was caught on local spearing and local squid.

Pete also noted that Dr. Joe Lalia called into the shop to inform him that he worked the bunker pods west of the inlet for bass to 36-pounds.

John Senft Jr. and his friend Kevin fished the 40-feet depth range to land a 32.25-pound striper along with a 26-pounder before switching to the reef for seabass to 2.5-pounds.

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Another notable catch last Thursday was recorded by Leo Sotile and Ralph Perrone, who according to Pete, "fished the bunker pods at first light west of Fire Island Inlet...and after 50 years of fishing, Ralph finally was rewarded with his first keeper bass, weighing a hefty 32.25-pounds. Congratulations Ralph."

Also on Thursday night, Capt Tom Boniberger, fishing aboard the Krista, chased the bunker pods and caught four fish over 30- pounds.

Mike Desimone, fishing aboard the Afishanado, reeled in bass to 40-pounds.

Last Saturday, Babylon Tuna Club member Billy Donovan and his wife Anne Marie stopped by Suffolk Bait & Tackle to weigh in some fluke for the club's weeklong contest and Billy's fish weighed in at 3.3-pounds while Anne Marie's catch was close behind at 3.2-pounds.

Pete wanted readers to know that the fish were all caught on local spearing in 55-feet of water, south of the Fire Island Inlet. He said there were also reports coming in, citing the larger fluke were hanging around the 55-70-foot depths and he also had a report indicating that bass were feeding off of Fair Harbor.

Those who follow the tournaments should be aware that the South Shore Marlin and Tuna Club is hosting a tournament from July 22-24. Anglers may leave from both Fire Island inlet or Shinnecock. For additional information, contact Andrew Dean at 646-734-2795.

Also on the agenda is the 55th Annual Babylon Tuna Club Tuna Tournament from July 28 to July 31. This is an especially meaningful one as it is dedicated to our troops and those who helped our nation on 9/11. For more information, contact Artie at 516-369-5320 or Brian at 631-834-2060.

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