Located approximately 3.5 miles south to southeast of Jones Inlet, the Hempstead artificial reef was originally started during the mid 1960’s by the legendary Capt. Al Lindroth of the Point Lookout based party boat, The Captain Al. With the help and cooperation of several friends and politicians, Captain Al arranged for a half dozen surplus barges to be towed offshore and sunk on the reef site.
Over the years more material was added, including a load of concrete from a demolished bridge, a navy barge, some old dry dock material, a commercial fishing boat and even an old Fire Island Ferry. In addition, a bunch of cleaned-up old army tanks were sunk here.
The result is an artificial reef that is 744 acres of mass structure in 50 to 75 of water that attracts sea life like a magnet. Not surprising, it attracts anglers too. In fact, hardly a day goes by that several boats are not fishing this reef.
The usual array of bottom dwelling and pelagic species feed on the reef, often in significant numbers. Big ling are caught here in April and early May and again in October and November. Sea bass also move in May sticking around till mid-November. Anglers fishing clam or squid strips on bottom rigs keep busy with both species.
If it’s big fluke you’re looking for, try drifting long strips of fluke belly on fluke rigs. From May through September, many fluke to 12 pounds are taken from the reef. Fork tail speedsters such as bonito and false albacore frequent the reef during the late summer and fall, as does the bluefish with stripers always a possibility. Artificial lures such as Kastmasters, Hopkins, Cripple Herring and Deadly Dicks will work their capabilities on the gamesters.
In October, porgies flood onto the reef. While conventional wisdom is to use clam or squid, blood and sandworms will produce better action on the scup.
Blackfish action can often be dynamite on the reef particularly from late October to mid- November. Green and fiddler crabs as well as clams fishing on number 4 Virginia blackfish rigs will get the togs in the cooler.
Even though it’s a short ride to the reef from the inlet, your first concern should always be safety. Make sure to check weather and sea condition reports before heading out. Days when winds are less than 15 knots are desirable which should provide relatively calm seas.
Comments