Young Islanders get taste of Island's fishing

They arrived on a team bus last Thursday, 42 young men with dreams of playing in the National Hockey League. Ranging in age from 17 to 24, Islanders hopefuls filed down the ramp at Huntington Harbor onto the popular open boat, Captain James Joseph II.

"These are rookie prospects from our minicamp," explained Jesse Eisenberg, communications coordinator for the Islanders. "Their workouts are pretty intense, so we try to lighten things up by showing off some fun things you can do right here on Long Island. We'll go fishing today and have our catch cooked across the street at Tatu Pazzo Restaurant. Tomorrow we'll visit Citi Field and watch the Mets. Getting out is a good way to relieve tension and help our prospects get to know each other."

If bonding, diversion and a little relaxation were the primary goals, chalk this trip up as a huge win. The fun began even before the first drift as amicable skipper James Schneider invited 20-year-old Russian defenseman Anton Klementyev, and 21-year-old forward Matt Martin, from Ontario, to take turns at the wheel. Klementyev proved a natural, steering smoothly past Eatons Neck Lighthouse - and it was Martin who netted the day's first fluke when the boat stopped and the lines went over the side.

"This is great," chuckled the 6-2 left wing who played five games for the Islanders last season. "We're enjoying the fresh sea air and everybody's having fun. More importantly, I'm shutting-out Travis Hamonic two-zip in a 20-minute fish-off."

Hamonic, a defenseman from Winnipeg, was the Islanders' second round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft. The 19-year-old did get off to a slow start but with an assist from his rail mates later proved he could carry the play by decking a pair of fat summer flatties.

Leaning over the starboard side, fishing rod in hand, 17-year-old right wing Nino Niederreiter of Switzerland seemed quite focused. The 5th pick overall in this year's Entry Draft was flanked by local invitees Ben Rosen of Syosset and Danny Markowitz of Jericho.

"Back home, I fish in freshwater, so this is really different," said Niederreiter. "I need to learn how to feel the bottom a little better."

Showing his ability to adapt on the fly, the young forward quickly made adjustments and scored a nice fluke. Still, his tally couldn't compare to Markowitz's game-winner. The hometown favorite iced a 22-inch keeper to skate off with the pool.

Heading home, a quick poll of the prospects revealed most had caught a fish or two, and many said they would like to go fishing again - but not one listed actually catching a fish as the play of the day. Then again, setting the hook never really was the goal for the teammates on this late afternoon shift.

Power plays

Inshore fluke fishing continues strong at Montauk, Port Jefferson and inside the South Shore bays.

Porgies remain a force in Peconic Bay, and big blues have invaded Manhasset Bay. Stripers remain the focus at Orient Point.

Offshore, The Dip is your best shot for yellowfin tuna. Captain Chris Bako of the Montauk charter boat Edge Walker fished there Tuesday. He used Green Machines to drill seven yellowfins to 55 pounds.

Hot spots

1. Manhasset Bay (bluefish, porgies, fluke)

2. Point Lookout (mixed bag, sea bass, fluke)

3. Jones Inlet (striped bass, sea bass, fluke)

4. Shinnecock Fingers (shark)

5. Great South Bay (fluke, bluefish, sea bass)

6. Port Jefferson (fluke, porgies, bluefish)

7. Greenport (porgies, bluefish, weakfish)

8. Moriches/Ocean (sea bass, fluke, shark)

9. Orient Point (striped bass, fluke, porgies)

10. The Dip (tunas)

E-mail: outdoortom@optonline.net