"Gunkholing: The term refers to the gunk, or mud, typical of the creeks, coves, marshes, sloughs, and rivers that are referred to as gunkholes. While not necessary, gunkholers typically seek out the serenity of isolated anchorages over the crowds of marinas and popular bays, and a minimal draft is preferred, since gunkholers tend to go as far up and into the gunkholes as possible, seeking ever more inaccessible destinations."
September through November signifies the annual Fall migration. As the surrounding waters begin to cool down, bluefish, false albacore and striped bass feed with abandon on the myriad of baits that are being flushed out of the bays and estuaries. Montauk, at the most eastern tip of Long Island's South Fork, becomes center stage for the Fall run.
As the temperature levels exceed the tolerances of those flats feeders, we begin to turn our sights onto our Gulf Stream adversary, the false albacore. It is here when anglers test their skill, as there is no better light tackle quarry. The false albacore or "little tunny" as it has been affectionately called, is all about speed! It has a torpedo shaped body with pockets where it can tuck its fins and a sickle shaped tail that propels it towards its unsuspecting prey. Weighing in around 6-12 lbs, false albacore are capable of heart stopping runs, which repeatedly take anglers into their backing. Spin fishermen of late have been very successful taking albacore on small, metallic jigs as well as small to larger sized Slugos. Fly fishermen typically employ 2-3" epoxy flies which perfectly mimic bay anchovies, the most prevalent baitfish in the water column at that time.
September through November signifies the annual Fall migration. As the surrounding waters begin to cool down, bluefish, false albacore and striped bass feed with abandon on the myriad of baits that are being flushed out of the bays and estuaries. Montauk, New York becomes center stage for the Fall run. The fabled Northeast grand slam may be attained time after time during this period as the concentrations of fish are at their peak!
Only a matter of a few hours drive from the tri-state area, let the surrounding waters of Eastern Long Island and Montauk, New York be your fishing grounds! Whether you'd like to test your mettle on the flats of Shinnecock and Gardiner's Bays or reap the rewards of the Fall bonanza in Montauk, Captain Merritt White will guarantee a memorable, fun filled, productive day on the water!
Conservation: The striped bass fishery on Long Island, New York has made an incredible comeback due largely to the cleansing of the Hudson River, one of the primary spawning grounds for the striper. Tighter controls on the commercial harvest of the striped bass as well as those of recreational fishermen have also played a part in the burgeoning population of the striped bass in the Northeast. As recreational fishermen it is in our collective interest to appreciate this fishery resource for its "intrinsic value" rather than for its value on the dinner plate. We must all realize that the fishery is much more valuable considered as a sport, a renewable resource, like trout fishermen have known for a long time. Now in growing numbers saltwater fishermen are practicing "catch and release" with the hope that future generations might enjoy the same if not greater bounties that we enjoy today.
Merritt has been an enormous addition to my fishing life, and that is saying something, because I am an addict and have fished with lots of captains. He has patiently and skillfully advanced my fly fishing skills, and seems always to get me on some good fish. He always knows what is going on in the area and tries as hard as anyone I have ever fished with.
Richard S.
New York, NY
"Whether rushing after blitzes of albacore and striped bass in Montauk Point, NY or hunting for 100# + tarpon in Key West, FL Merrit White gives 100% all day, everytime, in making the fishing experience an exciting one. Merritt's knowledge about what fish are "running" what they will likely feed on, finding fish, and then catching them, are ingredients for a great guiding experience.
Lee D.
New Jersey
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Fall: Montauk, NY
