STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE COLUMNS

Tony Somma writes about fishing for the Staten Island Advance

• Plenty of bass available this time of year
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE -- Anglers braving the elements last week were rewarded with nice bass action as evidenced by 45.65-pound striper caught by Jeff Bollinger aboard his boat Teachers Pet on a homemade Tom Donato Bunker Spoon while trolling by Flynn's Knoll. The fish was 49-inches long and had a girth of 28-inches. Donato and Bill "Rambo" Kotowitz assisted Jeff in bring the fish aboard. In addition to Flynn's Knoll, bass are showing at their usual fall haunts and are providing good action. There are still some bluefish around, and blackfishing is good on the reefs and wrecks outside of Sandy Hook.

• Fish abound as season nears end
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The fall season is coming to an end. Not because the fish are not cooperating, but due to the lack of anglers and snotty weather. Bass to 41-pounds continue to be caught around the Island and there are still good numbers of big bluefish showing. Blackfishing is good, and some of the areas party and charter boats are bottom fishing for porgies, sea bass and ling.

• It's time to grab some bass
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The fall bass run is in full swing with fish to 41 pounds being weighed in at Island tackle shops.

• Large bass showing
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The fall bass run continues with fish to 25 pounds showing around the Island. There are still a good number of bluefish around and bottom fishing for blackfish is red hot with area reefs and local rock piles producing good action.