Angler Resource Kit back to top

The Angler's Resource Kit was developed to provide basic information on fishing in New York State's marine district, in order to enhance the fishing experience of beginners. The kit does not contain the answers to the many questions that are posed by persons who are new to fishing. We consulted the literature to develop the content in this section, and the techniques that are outlined are merely suggestions to be used as guidance. It takes several years for anglers to hone their fishing skills, primarily through trial and error, reading and dialogue with other anglers. Please view the reading list to see the texts that were consulted in this exercise.

In addition to providing a series of angling techniques (Click Here), this section of New York Sea Grant's Fisheries Resource Center web site includes a series of fish profiles featuring summary statistics, as well as information on life history and distribution, management and regulation, and fishing season for each species, which include:

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) (pdf)
Notorious for their predatory behavior on other fish species, bluefish have been reported to kill prey without eating it and they have been known to occasionally bite human bathers. They are schooling pelagic fish, meaning they inhabit open ocean waters rather than coastal areas. Local names used for bluefish include: "blue" or "cocktail blue" (2 pound fish), "snapper" (10 inch fish), "snap mackerel", and "gorilla gator" (15 to 20 pound fish). Due to its strong biting power, bluefish makes an ideal fish for the angler in search of the thrill of the battle, or for anglers who enjoy fishing in a blitz.

Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) (pdf)
Determined to be the fourth most landed species in New York's marine district, scup are known for having a fine flavor flesh and they support a large recreational fishery in spite of their bony bodies. Although New Englanders refer to this species as "scup," it is known as "porgy" from New York to Florida. Unfortunately, not many grow over 6 pounds (which would be considered a trophy), however, there are local names available to refer to different size classes. They include "sand porgy" (1/2 pounds), "bay porgy" (1 pound) and "humpback or sea porgy" (1 1/2 to over 3 pounds). The name "scup" is a remnant of an old Indian name mishcuppauog.

Striped Bass (Marone saxatilis) (pdf)
Third most landed species in New York, striped bass makes an excellent sport fish and it is possibly the most prized species in the recreational fisheries. They are known by many different names locally, including: "bass," "linesiders," "stripers" and "rockfish." Local names were also created to distinguish striped bass of different sizes: "rats" (very small fish), "schoolies" (small-medium sized schooling fish) and "cows" (large fish, often females).

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) (pdf)
A very popular species in New York State's marine district. Being the largest flatfish in the area, it was determined to be the most frequently landed species in the State. This species is referred to locally as "fluke"; "flatties" are the average sized fish (2 to 4 pounds), whereas "doormat" is the name reserved for larger fish over 8 pounds.

Tautog (Tautoga onitis) (pdf)
A popular fishery in the angling community, they are easily distinguished by the dark coloration (dark green or black) with a leathery skin covered with a thick layer of mucous, making them very slippery to the touch. Local names include "blackfish" and "tautog"; "bulldog" refers to older fish weighing over 10 pounds.

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) (pdf)
The name weakfish can be misleading to the inexperienced angler, because these fish are certainly not "weak" as they are renown for their good fight and tendency to make fast and sudden turns when hooked on light tackle. Instead, the name refers to the tendency for the jaw muscles to tear easily when hooked. Large weakfish are referred to locally as "tiderunners" (due to the fact that these size fish move in and out with the tide); fish of less than 3 pounds are called "schoolies," and are taken frequently by anglers targeting porgies. Any size in between is simply referred to as "weak" or "sea trout."

Winter Flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) (pdf)
A popular flatfish in the recreational fishery, its abundance makes it an excellent species to jump-start the fishing season (or the career of a new angler). This species is reported to be one of the most stationary of the flatfishes. Local names used include "blueback" and "blackback"; also, "sea flounder" is used to distinguish larger fish from the smaller bay fish.



Sport Fishing Industry News back to top 

New York Sea Grant's Sport Fishing Industry News is provided to anglers, bait and tackle dealers, charter/party fishing vessel operators, and other businesses as part of the outreach and educational activity of New York Sea Grant Extension Program. The newsletter, which received a facelift in 2000, is edited by its Fisheries Extension Specialist Antoinette Clemetson, both of whom are located at the program's Riverhead extension office. Please direct all questions, comments and concerns to the Editor at:

New York Sea Grant Extension Program/ Cornell University Laboratory/ 3059 Sound Avenue/ Riverhead, New York 11901-1098.

Winter 2001-2002 (pdf)
Features information on NOAA's inaugural Invitational Marine Protected Areas Educaiton Workshop, defining goals and purposes in Marine Wilderness Areas, and the news on the LI Sound Lobster Initiative's 2nd Annual Health Symposium.

Spring/Summer 2001 (pdf)
Research news on Hudson River anglers, seaood consumption by minorities in metropolitan areas, and the health of Long Island Sound.

Fall/Winter 2000 (pdf)
Included are articles dealing with "Self Recruiting in Fish Populations" and "Recreational Marine Fishing Regulations" as well as a report on water quality monitoring for Long Island Sound.



Other Publications back to top 

Color Your Catch (pdf)

Weakfish Tournament '03 Newsletter (pdf)