Suffolk County Offers Sportfishing Lessons

Suffolk County is unveiling a ten-week instructional course, “Sport Fishing on Long Island,” this winter.

Captain Jerry McGrath, a former Montauk charter skipper, avid fisherman and experienced instructor will give instruction and tips for planning a rewarding day of fishing.

Captain McGrath has designed the classes to educate novices and more advanced anglers in all areas of fish finding, bait and lure selection, chumming, fishing locales & “hot spots”, anchoring, tackle selection, knot and rig tying and safety.

Guest speakers, many of whom are experienced and expert charter captains themselves, will address the class participants on dates to be announced, and Captain McGrath is also offering optional fishing field trips.

Classes will be held on Monday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., beginning Nov. 24, in Room 182 of the H. Lee Dennison Building at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge.

Flexible make-up classes are also possible for those people who have conflicting schedules. The regular course fee is $130.00 per person, with discounts available for children 17 or younger ($85.00) and accompanied by a paid adult registrant , and senior citizens 65 and older ($105.00).

For more information or to obtain a registration form, contact the Suffolk County Parks Department at 631.8544947.

“Participants will learn numerous techniques to sharpen and improve skills for catching a variety of fish found in local Long Island waters,” said County Executive Steven Bellone.  “These species include striped bass, fluke, flounder, weakfish, blackfish, blues, tuna, shark and more.”