Comb's Bait and Tackle

I spoke to Bill Witchey of Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville and fluking has been inconsistent. The State Channel from Frank and Dick’s down to the Amity Cut remains an excellent choice for action. Some flatties were found at Squaw Island. Customer “Bay Mike” went to that area one day and encountered five keepers to 22 inches and a keeper weakfish. Mike said he employed a white bucktail with spearing at Wanser’s Cut near buoys 60 and 61. He returned to the same area the next day and the fish were a no show. Anglers are using bucktails and bait rigs with spearing and squid, and bouncing the rigs slowly. In the good news department, plenty of weakfish to 7 pounds are inhabiting the bay and are being taken as a by catch by fluke anglers using spearing or squid. It you want to target the weaks specifically, drop by the shop and Bill will show you how to rig up a Bass Assassin or other artificial. The bay is also holding ravenous blues to 6 pounds that are smacking clams, bunker chunks, diamond jigs and tins. Bassing reports have been positive. They are now responding readily to calm bellies and anglers are averaging 15 to 20 fish per trip at the channels and local bridges. It is critical to work the last 2 hours of the outgoing tide. Plenty of slot fish in the 28 to 30 inch class have been found. However, bring plenty of hooks as the blues have been running through and cutting lines. Trolling action on bass was slow, but plastics were taking bass in the bays and canals. Try SP Minnows, Vudu Mullets and the Storm 360 GT. The shop is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Bill has local spearing, squid strips, whole squid, clam bellies and clams in stock. If you need defrosted clam bellies, please call the shop a day ahead and Bill will have them ready for you. (631) 264-3525.

I spoke to Bill Witchey of Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville and there is still decent summer flattie activity between Frank and Dicks and Gilgo at the State Boat Channel. Anglers reported that the incoming tide was best and the fluke are focusing their attention on spearing. Party boats have reported that fluke to 5 pounds are coming aboard. Reynolds Channel between Point Lookout Marina and the Long Beach High School had a decent number of fish available. Massapequa Cove only served up fair catches during the week. However, the Cove is producing good catches of bass in local canals and the north side of the bay from Massapequa to Lindenhurst. Customers have found schoolies and the occasional keeper to 31 inches. The top artificials are the Storm 360 GT, Bass Assassins and the two newest additions to a bass angler’s arsenal the Flutter Spoon and the deadly Vudu Mullet. Anglers who tried clam bellies during the week reported fair action on the outgoing tide. Rumors swirled around that a handful of weakfish were taken at Ocean Beach along with a few small blues. On the outside wrecks and pieces a few keeper cod were present and in addition, there were quite a few out of season ‘tog and a decent amount of sea bass that were caught and released. Bill noted that the water temps are hovering around 50 degrees but, in some spots, it was even lower. The shop is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bill has flash frozen spearing, squid strips, whole squid, clam bellies and clams in stock. If you need defrosted clam bellies, please call the shop a day ahead and Bill will have them ready for you. (631) 264-3525.