The Long Island fishing community is mourning the loss of Captain Bob Ceglowski, longtime owner of the Capt. Bob Fishing Fleet in Mattituck, who passed away on June 4, 2026.
A Navy veteran, Ceglowski began his professional fishing career in the early 1970s before bringing his operation to Mattituck in 1976. Over the next five decades, he became one of the North Fork’s most respected and recognizable captains, introducing countless anglers to the area’s productive waters aboard the Captain Bob V, Captain Bob IV, Joanie, and Captain Bob Express. He was instrumental in putting Mattituck on the map as a premier fluke destination, famously promoting the area’s “Mattituck Monster Fluke.”
Known for his patience, generosity and passion for teaching, Captain Bob welcomed anglers of all experience levels and believed every trip was about more than just catching fish. His love of oldies music, warm personality and trademark signoff—”The Best Is Yet To Come!”—left a lasting impression on generations of fishermen.
Captain Bob’s legacy lives on through the countless memories created aboard his boats and the many anglers whose love of fishing he helped inspire.
