CAPTREE STATE PARK , where fish grow on....................................never mind....................It's a really great place for fishing
Written: May 18 '03 (Updated Jan 06 '04)
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Pros: A great small park full of fish stories!!!
Cons: Have to pay park fee and then charter fee.
The Bottom Line: This is a great way to spend the day.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Captree State Park |
Work took me down to Jones Beach Island to a small town by the name of Cedar Beach. Already planning on doing a review of Captree State Park I drove the few extra miles to the site. Though I have been to this park many times I usually try to visit one more time before reviewing as to get the most updated info.
And so I did that day, Thursday, May 15th, 2003.
GETTING THERE
There are only a couple of ways you can get there, by car or boat.
By car it is on the most easterly end of Jones Beach Island. Guess what else is on this island besides Captree State Park. Yes, Jones Beach. I reviewed this beach not all that long ago. Captree is just twenty miles or so east of Jones Beach.
You can also get there by taking the Robert Moses causeway over the bridge and to the island.
By boat, get out your nautical charts. I may ground you if you follow my directions. It's the eastern end of Jones Beach Island and just north of the west end of Fire Island.
MORE INFO
During the spring and fall there is a fee on Fri. Sat. and Sunday. It's $6.00. It is called a vehicle use fee. During the summer the fee is collected everyday starting about 6:30am. The station generally closes about 5pm. No charge after that.
There is a sticker you may purchase that gives you unlimited use of the State Parks of NY. It's called the Empire Pass I believe it has gone up to $50.00 this year. We still do well with it. We live just ten minutes from Jones Beach and all it has to offer. We make good use of the pass. We also visit other State Parks. One beautiful park we visit at least once per year is Taconic State Park in the Hudson Valley area of New York State.
THE PARK
Captree State Park is surrounded by water on three sides. No wonder why this park is known for its fishing. When you arrive if you bear right you will get to a picnic area with a small house that has rest rooms and snacks. This area overlooks the western end of Fire Island. There are big charts up showing the descriptions of water fowl that can be seen from there. Straight ahead you will notice a tall tapered black and white broad striped light house. That is the Fire Island, National Seashore, Lighthouse. It is a beautiful and relaxing place to visit. See my review after this piece.
BOAT RAMP
If you travel to the left you will merge into the main parking lot. There is a special lot for cars with boat trailers. Yes, you can use the boat ramp for any boats over ten foot. Sorry, no canoes, rowboats, kayaks, or boats under sail. There is plenty of parking in the boat trailer area.
CONCESSION
The main lot has a building straight ahead. This is the main concession stand. In it they serve breakfast and a surprisingly good menu for lunch. Breakfast would offer eggs, bacon, home fries, bagels, muffins and rolls. Of course coffee too! This place is ready for the early fisherman who are drawn to this state park. They come here because this park has nearly thirty boats for open fishing or charter, ready to take them out to catch the Big One.
GETTING REELED IN
I had a pad in hand and was casually walking along the dock area. Many slips were empty. It was just before eleven o'clock am. I also noticed two boats were getting ready to go out. It seems that this dock has boats going out at different times. It's just about on the hour all day that some fishing boat is going out for fluke.
So I was walking by one called the Jr. Express. The mate was out front talking, yet keeping a keen eye on those approaching. They want to get as many people on their boat as possible.
This is a tough business with high overhead, a lot of competition, dwindling supplies of fish, a short high season, and they are at the mercy of the elements. I always give these guys credit for the hard work they do.
So, this guy yells out to me, "hey buddy, are you coming aboard?". I smile and say no. Next thing we are engaged in a conversation. Two minutes later, I'm on the boat!!
FISHING on the JR. EXPRESS
Ha, I wasn't dressed for it and never had fishing on my mind, yet, there I was standing on the bow as they cast off the line and backed away from the dock.
I did know the approximate price being I go out a couple of times a year on one local boat or another. This was my first time this year and ever on this boat. The price did go up. It was $28.00 for four hours out, rod and bait. It was another three dollars I donated to the pool for the biggest fish. I say donate for a reason. I'm still waiting for "The Big One".
This boat is probably a medium sized boat at 65', in the fleet at Captree. It can hold up to 75 fisherman, though I was told it rarely ever gets that many on board. It had a nice sized cabin with bench seats around the boarder. No tables. It wasn't heated that day, didn't need to be. I saw a kerosene stove in the corner. They have a small counter with some bags of chips hanging behind it and a hat and shirt with the words Jr. Express, for sale. They were the same ones the Captain and mate wore.
So Tom, the mate comes over and collects the fees, gives me a pool ticket that also gives me and my guests three dollars off my next excursion on this boat. The mate tells me twenty minutes to the fishing grounds out in the ocean. Tom was wrong, it was more like forty five minutes.
The ride out was very relaxing. The sun was out bright and warm. We made our way past the National Seashore Lighthouse, the Coast Guard Station, and then under the bridge that goes to Robert Moses State Park.
We continued on toward the inlet where on the western side of Robert Moses State Park were anglers with their four wheel drive vehicles casting out into the inlet area.
We went south out of the inlet and then east along the southern coast of Fire Island. The Captain, his name was Carl, set us up for some fishing just about opposite of the causeway bridges.
Tom the mate was good in creating excitement. We had just dropped our lines and I hear a loud, "One on a line in the bow!" Moments later we here him call out again "Two on...."
This continued most of the day. It didn't matter what came up, you always heard his word about more fish getting reeled in. On this day an extra mate would have been helpful because Tom was really running around netting fish, taking them off the lines, changing out sinkers, and running from place to place.
The captain was also helping out. The captain also did some fishing of his own too. Did pretty well! There were a good amount of fish caught that day. One guy caught about seven fluke, some nice sized.
In the midst of all the action we heard a call out from the mate to the captain. He wound up with a hook in his finger that had to be pushed through. Ouch!! Moments later he was netting fish and even set up a line to catch some himself.
Now for me, it was another thing. I caught a few shorts. Then I felt a good one. Played around a while trying to get him up. Moments later I had a bluefish on the surface. I caught another one about ten minutes later! I rounded out my day with a nice sized fluke.
The captain kept us out almost an hour longer than the planned trip. Everyone had a good time. All sorts were aboard. A young couple, an older couple, a few beer drinking guys, an oriental fella on his own, and a couple of ol' timers. I would say there were fifteen or twenty total.
The mate cleans the fish for you on the way in. Tips are greatly appreciated!
Like I mentioned there are nearly thirty boats in Captree. You have a lot of choices of boats and time of leave. This is one of the places on Long Island to try your luck fishing
FISHING FROM THE PIER
Captree State Park also offers fishing right from the pier. A few feet from the most easterly vessel in the fleet of fishing boats is a Bait and Tackle Shop. Just about anything you need is for fishing is right there. Live bait too. They also dabble in some souvenirs, post cards, and t-shirts. Get your very own ceramic lighthouse right there. The docks, just outside the door, have been a haven for fishermen for many, many years. I remember fishing the docks for flounder and blowfish with my dad almost forty years ago.
These days those fish are almost impossible to find. Fluke fishing is what is now done off the pier.
SUMMING IT UP
Captree State park does have so much to offer. You can just have a quiet day, having a picnic, doing some birding, or soaking up the rays.
The other choice is being a bit adventurous and trying your luck fishing off the pier or a boat. I will be going out again this year a couple of few times. I'll probably go see how Tom's finger is doing and say hello to Captain Carl on the JR. Express right in Captree State Park
Other detailed reviews by popsrocks of places on, and around Long Island
Freeport's Nautical Mile A great summer destination!!
Otto's Sea Grill A Freeport Fine dining, casual dining, or party atmosphere.
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Montauk Downs State Park Creature comforts and games
Camp Hero State Park A military base with secrets!
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park
Captree State Park Have fun fishing from party boats
Sagamore Hill Teddy Roosevelt's Summer White House
Wyndham Watch, LI Fine hotel, poor service
Marriott Hotel LI Great Location
Sheraton Hotel,LI Recommended
Long Island So much to so many
New York City and so much more
New York State It's got so much to offer
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: June-August
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Fishing
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