Sam’s Star Island News

Fishing Reports

October 31, 2022 | The Fisherman

Mike from Star Island Yacht Club let me know a lot of bass have been on the south side and those fishing the blitzing schools have been catching schoolies keeper sized fish. Blackfish up to 10-1/2 pounds were also weighed into the marina taken on green crabs fished south of the point. Seabass up to 4-1/2 pounds were brought to the scales from southwest ledge. A lot of squid in the harbor also for those looking to try under the lights.

Fishing Reports

August 29, 2022 | The Fisherman

Mike from Star Island Yacht Club let me know the bottom fishing has been excellent for porgies and sea bass around the point and south of Block Island. They weighed in some big fluke to 11 pounds during the week from the Cartwright grounds. Coxes Ledge, the Dump and the Mud Hole have been good locations for bluefin with some yellowfin mixed in too from 20 to 60 pounds. Stripers were still being caught in the Block Island vicinity on bucktails jigs, trolling and live baits.

Fishing Reports

August 1, 2022 | The Fisherman

Mike from Star Island Yacht Club let me know the boat Out There has a 150 pound bigeye some yellowfin and mahi. The Dump has been a good location for both yellow and bluefins. Fluking has been better at inner Cartwright recently also. The pocketbook, north of the inlet, has seen some productive fluke fishing as well. The best shot with striped bass has been around Block Island. Rock piles between Montauk Point and Block Island have been holding porgies and some better sea bass too.

Fishing Reports

June 27, 2022 | The Fisherman

Mike from Star Island Yacht Club let me know Chris Cercy on his boat Boobah with Captain Ben Mahler fished Veeches Canyon and had 13 yellowfin tuna up to 60 pounds. The bass fishing is still outstanding on the flood tide at the point on live bait like legal porgies and eels and lures such as bucktails and diamond jigs. Some of the fish are well over 50 pounds. Sam on the Marlena with crew had 10 keeper fluke up 6 pounds on Wednesday. The next day they had 12 keepers up to 7 pounds. Bottom fishing has also been excellent in Montauk with sea bass up to 4 pounds and as many porgies as you want to catch.

Fishing Reports

May 23, 2022 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club Mike let me that all the keeper size stripers you care to catch are at the point. Most of the bass range between twenty seven and thirty three inches. Everyone is getting their limit quickly. Some big bluefish are also mixing in. Diamond jigs, trolling, casting plugs are all producing. Porgy fishing is picking up along the beach from the point west towards Gurneys. Fluke fishing remains fussy; however, the weekend did show an improvement due to the lovely weather.

Fishing Reports

March 29, 2021 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports the shop is open daily except for Sundays for all tackle needs throughout the early spring and then the shop will be open 7-days starting in May.

Fishing Reports

February 22, 2021 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike tells us things have been quiet this month since nobody has been attempting to go fishing for cod. Mike normally would hear from his buddies from the Viking Fleet; however all has been quiet. Mike has been taking care of inventory and asked me to put the word out that the shop now has an expanded variety of offshore tackle including spreader and side bars. If you want to come and check it out, the shop is open daily except for Sunday’s with the hours of 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. The shop is loaded with all your need for both inshore and offshore, as well as apparel.

Fishing Reports

January 25, 2021 | The Fisherman

The folks at Star Island Yacht Club report a few cod are coming back to the table when the wind are not gusting. Block Island seems to be the choice area from most fishermen, although there are cod to 25-pounds swimming off of Cartwright and the CIA Grounds. Clams and hi/lo rigs with pink or chartreuse teasers are working well. Some ling, cunners and even whiting are mixing in with the cod.

Fishing Reports

December 21, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports gusty winds put a damper in fishing efforts during much of December, however when the few boats that are left in the water were able to get out of the inlet, the southwest corner of Block Island is chock full of goodies including cod, sea bass, red hake, sea perch and scup. Coxes Ledge has also been productive, especially for cod, red hake and sea bass. The 140-foot depth seems to be holding the most life. Blackfish season ended with fireworks at Southwest Ledge as many fish in the 8 to 10-pound class made a late and strong showing with green and white crabs nailing the monster white chins. The shop is open every day except for Sunday’s with store hours being 7 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Fishing Reports

November 30, 2020 | The Fisherman

Mike from Star Island Yacht Club in Montauk reported great bottom action with cod, sea bass, and tog coming over the rail. The bite has been best close to Block Island waters. Mike also noted the number of impressive tog being landed. Hopefully we have a mild winter making this fishing most enjoyable.

Fishing Reports

November 23, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports blackfish remains red hot from Fishers Island, Southwest Ledge, and the Cartwright Grounds with green and white crabs producing fish to 12-pounds. Cod and sea bass remain plentiful south of Block Island in 130-feet of water chewing on clams and diamond jigs. Porgies remain closer inshore by Block Island eating clams. The store is now on their winter schedule of 7A.M. to 4 P.M. every day except for Sunday’s which will be close.

Fishing Reports

November 16, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports blackfishing remains strong with a lot more bigger fish to 12-pounds being brought back to the dock since Friday. Fishers Island, Southwest Ledge, and Cartwright Grounds are all producing well on green and white crabs. Cod and sea bass continue to build south of Block Island in the 220 to the 145-foot depths. Clams on hi-low rigs is the method of choice.

Fishing Reports

November 9, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports, blackfishing remains steady with Fishers and Block Island producing the best fishing using green and white crab at the change of tide. Standard rigs and jigs tipped with crab are producing well. Sea bass, and cod are south of Block Island. Stripers remain along the northside from Shagwong to the lighthouse and then again at the point. Most are shorts with an occasional keeper. Bluefish are true gorilla size fish enjoying easy pickings on huge schools of bunker leaving the bays and harbors. Anglers wading the beaches are finding good bass action from the North Bar to under the light.

Fishing Reports

November 2, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports a red-hot blackfish bite taking hold anywhere from the harbor jetties, Shagwong Reef, Cerberus Shoals, the Pocketbook Grounds, and at Fishers Island with the best bite occurring at the change of tide. Green and white crabs are producing well. Standard rigs and Joebaggs Togzilla Jigs tipped with crab working their magic. Sea bass, porgies, and cod are still holding their ground south of Block Island, although dogfish are knocking down the fort. Get away from the dogs, and you’ll do well with the tasty bottom dwellers. One of the marina boats did just that and had 10 market size cod to 9-pounds on Wednesday. Stripers remain along the northside from Shagwong to the lighthouse and then again in the rips at the point. Most of the bass are schoolies mixed with some blues and a few albies that remain. Joebaggs Resin Jigs and Fat Cow Epoxy Jigs are giving light tackle enthusiast and fly rod anglers the time of their lives around the Shagwong buoy. Anglers wading the beaches are finding good bass action from the North Bar to under the light.

Fishing Reports

October 26, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports bass fishing remains insane at the point as well as along the north and south sides. Diamond jigs remain the best and easiest method. Albacore and blues are everywhere from Gin Beach to Turtle Cove, under the light, and along the southside from the point to Amagansett. Joebaggs Resin Jigs in olive and pink producing best. Blackfish are at all the local rockpiles and reefs with fish to 8-pounds. Green crabs are best. Jumbo sea bass, porgies and green cod are off Block Island chewing down clams and diamond jigs. Cod to 15-pounds are in 13 to 140- of water south of Block Island and are mixed with giant sea bass to 6-pounds. Using 8 to 10-ounce hammer finished diamond jigs or clam baits on hi/lo rigs are producing the best catches.

Fishing Reports

October 19, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports bass fishing remains all you want just off the point on diamond jigs. Bucktails and live bait will also catch well. There isn’t as many big fish around, but there sure are a lot of slot size fish around. Blackfish are at all the rockpiles including along the west side of the harbor jetty. Green crabs are catching fish to 7-pounds. Albies, school stripers, and bluefish are smashing Joebaggs Resin Jigs along the north side from Shagwong to Montauk Point. Sea bass and porgies are east of Fishers Island, extending to Block Island.

Fishing Reports

October 12, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports loads of stripers ranging from shorts to cows of over 40-pounds hitting diamond jigs right at the point. Surfcasters who are swimming out to their favorite rock are also scoring big during the day and night tides with tins and diamonds duping the bass during the daylight hours, while pencil poppers do the trick after dark. The False and North bars has also been producing well this week. The boats that are getting out fishing has been relying on diamond jigs or by trolling tubes and bucktails at the Elbow, Great Eastern Rock and the Midway rips. Sea bass and porgies continues to be fantastic when the boats can get to them with Block Island producing the best scup action, while sea bass range from the windmill farm to the Frisbee Grounds. Sharks, mainly blue dogs were caught early in the week before the major blow, while there were no reports of tuna due to sea conditions.

Fishing Reports

October 5, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports striped bass fishing remains unbelievable out in front of the lighthouse, the Elbow and Great Eastern. Diamond jigs are catching bass upwards of 50-pounds. Although there was a lot of cow bass caught and released during this week’s full moon tides, plenty of keeper bass were also taken. Even the guys working the surf during the evening ebb tide did well on black and yellow darters and swimmers under the Light, the False and North Bars. Sea bass and porgy fishing has been red hot fishing near Block Island and at the windmill farm. Albacore and bluefish have been thick east and west of the harbor jetties. Fat Cow Epoxy Jigs, Joebaggs Resin Jigs, Deadly Dicks, and cripple Herring are all producing well. Fluke fishing ended on a high note with the Montauk Star enjoying a solid ending fish by the Radar Tower.

Fishing Reports

September 28, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports excellent striped bass fishing on diamond jigs in the rips out in front this week. A lot of keeper size bass are coming back to the dock. Some bluefish are mixing in. Bill aboard is boat Doc Rat caught and released close to 50 bass this week. Star Island owner Sam Gershowitz and his crew had a limit of slot size bass, releasing over 40 others aboard the Little Marlana. Before the big fan turned on Sam and his crew took the Little Marlana fluking, putting 12 fish to 6-pounds into the box. False albacore are right outside the harbor from both sides of the jetties and along both the north and south sides. Joebaggs Resin Jigs in pink, emerald green and olive colors are the hot item. Sea bass and porgies have been best at Block Island but are also at the Pocketbook Grounds and at the windmills. Fluke fishing was good until the big blow, then it became a spotty slow pick to pretty much finish up a somewhat mixed fluke season.

Fishing Reports

September 21, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports real good fluke fishing off the Cartwright and North Grounds as well as by the Radar Tower. Owner of Sam’s Star Island Yacht Club Sam Gershowitz and his friends jumped on Sam’s Little Marlana early this week nailing 15 big keepers with two 10-pounders, then went out the next day for 12 more keeper fluke including one at over 9-pounds. The Montauk Star had a great week with lots of limits the whole week until the northeast winds moved in just in time for the weekend. Mike weighed a load of fish from 8 to 11-pounds caught aboard the Star. Sea bass remains spectacular fishing anywhere from the windmills to Southwest Ledge with most boats coming back to the dock with limits of big biscuits to 5-pound. The Fin Chaser berthed alongside of the Montauk Star has been returning from the Block Island grounds with anglers toting off coolers of big porgies and jumbo sea bass. Albacore, bonito, and bluefish are all over the north and south sides of Montauk hitting Fat Cow Epoxy Jigs in pink, green, and olive all working great. Blues are all over the point also whacking Jigs, while Southwest Ledge is loaded with big stripers with some slot fish mixed with the cow bass all taken on the troll with umbrella rigs and parachutes.

Fishing Reports

September 14, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports Nick Racanolli took his boat the Free Nicky to the west one day this week and put a pair of big eye tuna of 250-pounds in the box along with some yellowfin and other exotic species. In general, tuna fishing remains strong either trolling or jigging. Closer to home, albacore and bluefish are all around the point for both boatman and surfcasters to enjoy. Fluke fishing has been sporadic; however Mike has been weighing fluke to 11-pounds. Sea bass and porgy fishing remains solid.

Fishing Reports

September 8, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports the bluefin and yellowfin craze continues as most boats are coming back to the dock with up to 6 fish to 60-pounds. Jigging between the CIA Grounds and Ranger Wreck continues to be holding massive amounts of tuna, including long fin albacore, skip jacks and false albacore. Shark fishing has also been good with Mike weighing in some big threshers this week. Closer to home the false albies have moved in but remain out of reach for the surfcasters. The boats are using Epoxy Jigs and Daddy Mac’s to catch the albies. Fluke fishing remains good as Sam Gershowitz fishing aboard his boat the Little Marlana had their limit of fluke to 6-pounds and a limit of sea bass to 4-pounds. Sea bass and porgy fishing remains exceptional on just about any rock pile. Striped bass fishing continues to be good off Southwest Ledge on live bait or by trolling wire line and parachutes.

Fishing Reports

August 31, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports an excellent week of fluking with most anglers getting their limits with some even catching and releasing double limits. The Montauk Star has been coming back to the dock just about every day with full boat limits to 10.10-pounds. Most of the fluke are between 5 and 8-pounds taken on standard fluke rigs with a teaser, which is dressed with spearing and squid combo or on long strips of fluke and sea robin strips. The Frisbee and Cartwright Grounds, extending to the windmills are holding the big fluke. The latter spot has also been hot for jumbo sea bass. Striped bass fishing came back to life this week with the boats catching and releasing many cow bass to 50-pounds. There are also plenty of slot fish at Southwest Ledge and in the local rips around the point for the sharpies that know how to play the game. Live bait has been the key. Bottom fishing for porgies, sea bass, triggerfish, and fluke continues to be exceptional. The Fin Chaser has been coming back to the dock early with full boat limits on many days. On the offshore grounds, a deserving shout out goes to the crew of the “Pride and Joy” for the 395-pound thresher shark they caught this week.

Fishing Reports

August 24, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports the tuna frenzy continues by the Ranger wreck with yellowfin to 60-pounds and bluefin to Barry’s from the Ventures 332-pound monster, Closer to home, porgy and sea bass fishing remains second to none, while striper fishing remains slow. Fluke fishing picked up nicely with lots of limits of flatties to 8-pounds taken by the windmills and at Cartwright. Silver bullets and bucktails tipped with 6-inch white Gulp Grubs are the ticket.

Fishing Reports

August 17, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports tuna frenzy this week with yellowfins as close as 28-miles south of Montauk and bluefin within 10 miles. All boats that fished jigs and light tackle by the Ranger wreck came back with limits of blue and yellowfins to 120-pounds. Star Island owner Sam Gershowitz took his Marlana out to the Atlantis Wall for two marlin of 400 and 500-pounds along with 4 yellowfin tuna to 60-pounds. Closer to home, porgy and sea bass fishing remains second to none, while striper fishing has slowed down considerably locally. Fluke fishing although not a slammer, has produced enough fish in the 8 and 9-pound class from Cartwright to keep things interesting. Silver bullets and bucktails tipped with 6-inch white Gulp Grubs are the ticket.

Fishing Reports

August 10, 2020 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, Mike reports bluefin tuna has broken wide open again ever since the storm moved through. The tuna have been as close as 12-miles south of the point with trolling, chunking, and diamond jigging all being effective. Jeff Hammel had a super encounter with the bluefin this week aboard his brand new Invincible with fish to 70-inches. The inshore grounds have been loaded with sea bass, cod, porgies, and fluke. The Little Marlana went to Coxes Ledge this week putting together a solid catch of cod, then stopped off at Southwest Ledge for a boat limit of sea bass to 5-pounds and then finished up the day with a good batch of fluke to 6-pounds. Stripers have slowed due to the warm water.

Fishing Reports

April 18, 2019 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, John tells us all remains quiet with only a couple of boats in the water but no reporting back. Everyone is anticipating the opening of fluke and porgy season.

Click here to read the full article.

Fishing Reports

April 11, 2019 | The Fisherman

Over at Star Island Yacht Club John reports the shop is open every day from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. Fishing remains quiet on the eastern front this week. John did have one boat out when I called on Sunday, however the fishermen were still out fishing. Don’t forget that the 33rd Annual Star Island Shark Tournament is slated for Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 with the Captain’s Meeting Thursday, June 13.

Click here to read the full article.

Fishing Reports

April 4, 2019 | The Fisherman

At Star Island Yacht Club, John and Mike are back for another banner season and the shop will be open every day from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. Fishing remains quiet on the eastern front, however reports of some cod are being to trickle in. Don’t forget that the 33rd Annual Star Island Shark Tournament is slated for Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 with the Captain’s Meeting Thursday, June 13.

Click here to read the full article.

2018 Offshore Season in Review

February 1, 2019 | The Fisherman

Thank you to all the marinas and tackle shops that take the time to record and report their customers’ triumphs and tribulations. This weekly tabulation forms a solid base of information that assists our readers in forming a fishing game plan.

Click here to read the full article.

Lots To See And Do At Yacht Club

July 6, 2018 | Newsday

If you travel down to the dock area in Montauk, you can find one of the popular places where boats dock. It is the Star Island Yacht Club.

Click here to read the full article.

Shark Week for an Island family

August 30, 2017 | Shelter Island Reporter

It took three members of the Mastropietro family 45 minutes to bring in a 177-pound thresher shark 15 miles due south of Montauk, but over a week to fry, roast, grill and give away the hundred-plus pounds of meat.

Click here to read the full article.

Mid-Summer Tournament

August 2, 2017 | Neighborhood Newspapers

For a quarter of a century, Star Island Yacht Club has been hosting its annual mid-summer sport fishing tournament: the Make, Thresher & Tuna Tournament.

Click here to read the full article.

Shark Tournament, Science Cruise, ‘Shark Week’ Screening on LI

June 15, 2017 | Newsday

Want to get up close and personal with sharks? This article talks about three ways to do just that and Star Island’s Shark Tournament is on that list!

Click here to read the full article.

Star Island Yacht Club & Marina – Montauk’s Top Sport Fishing Destination

June 6, 2017 | The Fisherman

The Fisherman delves into the history of the business and everything it took to make Star Island the top sport fishing destination on the East End.

Click here to read the full article.

Star Island Yacht Club Shark Tournament and Schedule

June 1, 2017 | The Fisherman

The Fisherman outlines Star Island’s upcoming fishing tournaments and dockage rules.

Click here to read the full article.

In the Hamptons, Some Not-So-Hidden Gems

July 17, 2016 | Wall Street Journal

Star Island Yacht Club & Marina earned a mention by The Wall Street Journal in an overview of summertime activities in the Hamptons. The organization Tasting Table is planning a sailing trip from the marina later this summer.

Click here to read the full article.

730-Pound Mako Caught at Star Island Shark Tournament

June 28, 2016 | Sag Harbor Express

The Sag Harbor Express published a photo of the winning shark at the Star Island Shark Tournament earlier this month.

Click here to read the full article.

730-Pound Mako Caught at Star Island Yacht Club’s 30th Annual Shark Tournament

June 22, 2016 | The Fisherman

The Fisherman recently ran a story about this past weekend’s impressive catches at our 30th Annual Shark Tournament, describing the occasion as “a huge success with an emphasis on huge.”

Montauk Life Put a Spotlight on Star Island’s Marine Supply Store

March 1, 2016 | Montauk Life

Local paper focused on all of the products and amenities available at the marina.

Click here to read the full article.

117-pound Wahoo a Potential New York Record

August 26, 2013 | On The Water: The Angler’s Guide

On Friday, August 16th, Jonathan Stabe out of Star Island Marina in Montauk caught a 117-pound, 7-ounce Wahoo to potentially set the New York state record.

Click here to read the full article.

Shark Hunters at Sam’s Star Island

August 1, 2013 | NBC

60.40 Pound Montauk Striper

July 12, 2012 | The Fisherman

Click here to read the full article.

Anglers On Boat Out of Madison Catch 338-Pound Shark off Montauk

July 7, 2012 | Madison Patch

Anglers off the coast of Montauk on Friday made a big catch — a thresher shark weighing 338 pounds.

Click here to read the full article.

Moby Stripers Settle into Montauk Rips

July 5, 2012 | The Fisherman

Terry Nee was fishing with Sam Gershowitz, owner of Star Islad Yacht Club, aboard Sam’s Lil Marlena when he connected with this 56.80-pound striper.

Click here to read the full article.

Another Big Bass Brought into Star Island

June 25, 2012 | East Hampton Patch

Star Island Yacht Club & Marina reported another big striped bass catch in Montauk.

Click here to read the full article.

Angler Brings in Big Catch

June 21, 2012 | East Hampton Patch

Star Island Yacht Club owner Sam Gershowitz with angler Terry Nee. 56lb 8 oz Striped Basscaught on “Lil Marlena” on June 20th.

Click here to read the full article.

Three-Pounder With Attitude

June 20, 2012 | The East Hampton Star

They say mako sharks come and go according to the number of bluefish, their favorite dish, in the area. On Friday, the first day of the Star Island Yacht Club’s two-day shark tournament, 25 makos were caught.

Click here to read the full article.

Graphic Photos From This Weekend’s Shark Fishing Tournament In Montauk

June 18, 2012 | Gothamist

In the wake of the arguments about the death of Montauk, arguably the last authentic vacation spot on Long Island’s East End, writer Kelsey Osgood decided to visit the 26th Annual Star Island Yacht Club Shark Fishing Tournament, an event that is a favorite of real live locals and lovers of the “old” Montauk.

Click here to read the full article.

490 Pound Mako

October 20, 2011 | The Fisherman

Click here to read the full article.

Mako-Thresher Mania at Star Island

August 8, 2011 | East Hampton Patch

Angler John Deluca on captain Charlie Mazen’s “Alyssa Ann” was the only winner in the thresher category, bringing in a 247-pounder on Day 2.

Click here to read the full article.

Sharks Guaranteed in Star Island Tournament

June 17, 2011 | Montauk Pioneer

And these sharks cannot bite you! Going on right now, if it is still Friday, June 17 or Saturday, June 18, is the 25th Annual Star Island Yacht Club Shark Tournament.

Click here to read the full article.

Fight a Shark for Father’s Day

June 15, 2011 | Examiner.com

Those looking for some excitement this Fatherʼs Day weekend are invited to take part in the annual shark fishing tournaments in Freeport and Montauk on Long Island.

Click here to read the full article.

Man vs. Shark

June 15, 2011 | Newsday: ExploreLI

Oh, the sharks have pretty teeth, dear . . . and those pearly whites are sure to be biting in local waters over the next two weekends, but that’s not scaring off Peter Brancaleone of Oceanside.

Click here to read the full article