New Moon Signals Ending of Port Jeff Season For Celtic Quest

A new moon last week made for some poor tautog (blackfish) fishing conditions in the Long Island Sound on the Celtic Quest, though not for a lack of trying by the captain, according to a fisherman who frequently takes the charter boat out of Port Jefferson.

Michael Welsh arrived at the docks in the village bright and early in the morning on Friday ready to fish. By 7 a.m. the Celtic Quest pushed off with about 30 fares and “plenty of room for more,” Welsh reported.

Views of the sunrise coming up over the hills of Port Jefferson proved to be the most inspiring part of the trip.

“I was talking to a few guys and all of us agreed that the day was made already regardless of the fishing,” he said.

Good thing, because the first drop at 8:30 a.m. already signaled the way things would go for the rest of the trip and it wasn't all that great. A wind against the tide prevented the boat from anchoring but the captain did manage to get them over structure, where the fish were likely to be.

Welsh also noted that captain said there was a new moon. A new moon means an exceptionally strong tide, not good for fishing. Welsh said that as soon as the captain mentioned the new moon he knew it was going to be a tough day of fishing based on his past experience.

“Unfortunately this drop proved to be the best of the day with a few short blacks swung over the rail and a short striper,” he said.

Though Welsh said that he and the rest of the fares on board were confident in the captain getting them to the right places, the fish didn’t cooperate.

“They just weren’t feeding,” he said. “It seems the sound was shut down by the new moon as the reports from other boats across the sound were exactly as ours. Not much action anywhere.”

He said that he’s going to keep in mind the new moon the next time he goes out for blackfish. Over the next two weeks the fishing will be much better, according to Welsh because the moon tide will subside and “offer some great conditions to catch some Tog.”

With the Celtic Quest heading out to Montauk in mid-December the window of opportunity to fish on the Celtic Quest on the Sound this year is closing. As it heads to Montauk soon for the cod-fishing season, Welsh said that people should see some excellent action.

“If it’s anything like last year,” Welsh said. “We should see some fantastic action out there.”

To book to book a trip on the Celtic Quest for the winter season head over to their website.