City Island Fishing Makes a Comeback

• Waterways around the Bronx, probably don't come to mind when New Yorkers think of their favorite fishing spots. However, City Island fishing has much to offer. Located south of Pelham Bay, the 1.5-mile island is home to four charter fishing companies that go out to the Long Island Sound.
• NY1 visited one of the charters called the Riptide III, the biggest and fastest boat on City Island, to get a closer look. “City Island fishing is popular,” said Bronx resident Michael Serrano. “When I was a kid we came out with the Riptide and the other boats. It used to be good, but then it slowly died down. City Island fishing is still very popular. People don't think we catch fish, but there are days where we catch them.”
• Years ago, City Island was a popular fishing destination, but over the years regulars saw the stock of fish diminish. “A long time ago, there was a whole different specie of fish here,” said Riptide III President John Jorgensen. “There are a few different theories of what happened. One theory was that when they filled in the wetlands, like in Coop City, they destroyed a lot of bait fish that these fish would eat and migrate to.”
• However, just like the borough as a whole, fishing is bouncing back as well. “The water is getting cleaner and there are many more environmental efforts and it's helping bring back the fish we haven't seen in years,” said Jorgensen.
• With more fish in the water, day trips out to the sound can yield some edible dividends. Admission fee to the trip includes fishing equipment, bait, and for those who are lucky enough, an unlimited catch.
• An interesting fact about fishing near and around the Long Island Sound is that New Yorkers can find different types of fish during the day and evening. Night charters can find striped bass, while boaters during the day can find big fish, like porgies.
• For more information on City Island fishing, visit to www.cityislandchamer.org. (-Michelle Yu, NY1 News).