Combs Bait and Tackle

I spoke to Bill Witchey at Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville and the summer flattie bite remains day-to-day as the water temps are still in the low fifties. The incoming tide saw better action. It’s best to fish a single spearing on a plain hook. Sea bass action was totally lackluster. More ling came up than sea biscuits. Bass to 45-inches have been captured locally. Anglers who trolled shad or umbrella rigs found success in Great South Bay, the State Channel, and the East/West Channel. The bass are still active under the green lights along the canals. Anglers who employed clam bellies at local bridges reported excellent overall action with bunker chunks being a fine second choice. The “Hook ‘Em Up” Fluke Special is still in place. You get two packs of local spearing, 1 pack of cut squid, 2 Gold Star fluke rigs, 1 fish towel, 1 Terminator bucktail, and 1 free bay chart for just $31.99. The shop now has the top-of-the-line Ninety Niners Umbrella and Shad rigs from Massachusetts. Bill asked that you drop by and inquire about his Bend Your Rod Club. A yearly fee of $25 gets you 10 per cent off all bait and tackle as well as free entry into the shop’s monthly Fluke Derby. The shop has clams, clam bellies, clam chum, and flash frozen bunker. available. Fluke anglers can purchase local spearing, Canadian spearing, hand cut squid strips, and local squid. The shop’s hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. (631) 264-3525.

I spoke to Bill Witchey at Combs Bait and Tackle in Amityville and harsh SW winds created less than ideal drift conditions for the opening week of fluke season. However, some nice flatties were taken along with a few shorts. The water temps are hovering around 54 to 56 degrees and the fish are not aggressive. Earlier in the week, Bill and a few friends went out and connected with 15 shorts and two keepers. Pink was the top color. The best areas for action were the Long Beach High School, Magnolia Pier at Reynolds Channel, the State Boat Channel by Captree Drawbridge down to Frank and Dicks, and down to the Lindenhurst Cut. Employ a single spearing and pink Fish Bites. The flatties are biting on all phases of the tide but Bill suggests working the incoming for best results. Weakfish to 8 pounds made an appearance at Ocean Beach. They responded well to Albino Bass Assassins. Nice catches occurred at the Blue Water Tower. On Friday, the bass bite picked up nicely at the Meadowbrook Bridge on the incoming tide. A group of anglers employed clam bellies to catch and release 25 fish including slots and overslots. Bass in the back bays are hitting soft plastic shads and SP Minnows. Some good bass activity has taken place at night along the docklines and under the green lights. The shop has clams, clam bellies, clam chum, and flash frozen bunker available. Fluke anglers can purchase local spearing, Canadian spearing, hand cut squid strips, and local squid. The shop’s hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. (631) 264-3525.