Frequently Asked Questions

What is wrong with using Spiderwire, Fusion, Fireline or any of the Kevlar lines for Night fishing? Night fishing can get a little hectic when the fishing is good. There can be 10 guys or more fighting fish at the same time and tangles are inevitable. Monofilament can be untangled quickly but Spiderwire almost always has to be cut or takes a fair amount of time to be untangled. Spiderwire is expensive and we have found most anglers don't want their line to be cut, which is understandable. Also, Spiderwire can, and has, cut the mates' hands, because it is very thin and very strong. If pulled quickly across your hand it can leave a nasty slice.

What about alcoholic beverages? Yes! The ANGLER does allow alcoholic beverages, but we do not allow any hard liquor of any kind at any time. We also have a 4-beers-per-person limit on our vessel. The four-beers-per-person is strictly enforced on our night fishing trips and we do check coolers before you board the vessel. We would like everyone to come out and have a great time, have a glass of wine or drink a beer or two. But we do not allow the excessive drinking aboard our vessel. We keep a high standard and feel the excessive alcohol consumption is better left in the bars.

Why is the ocean temperature cold and seem "dirty" even though it's the middle of the summer? Here is an excellent explanation of why this happens. Upwelling

Do I need to make reservations? No reservations are ever needed on our 1/2-day and 1/2-night trips. You should arrive approximately 45 minutes prior to sailing and proceed to get on board. Fees are collected on the boat during its sail out.

Where do I park? We provide FREE parking in our own lot right on the premisis. If by chance the lot fills up there is plenty of ample parking on the street within 1 block distance! If attendeing the 1pm or 6pm trips please allow the earlier trip customers to leave the lot without blocking them in!

What do I need to bring? Only yourself. We have free rods available if you need one. If you prefer your own equipment, you may bring it along. Bait is always free! Extra clothing in the spring and early summer is a must; the water is cold even though the air may be warm.

What type of fishing equipment is needed?
Winter Flounder Fishing: ----- 12lb light action Spinning or Boat Rod
Summer Flounder (Fluke): ----- 12lb-30lb Spinning or Boat Rod depending on how-much drift (wind) there may be.
Bluefish: ---------- 30lb-40lb Spinning or Boat Rods
Weakfish: ---------- 30lb-40lb Spinning or Boat Rods
Striped Bass: ---------- 30lb-40lb Spinning or Boat Rods

What tackle do I need to bring? If you are not familiar with the right rigs and hooks stop by a local tackle shop and pick up a few rigs before you get to the boat. Here are the sinkers you may need:

Winter Flounder Fishing: --------------------- 1oz-5oz Bank Sinkers
Summer Flounder (Fluke): ------------------- 4oz-12oz Bank Sinkers
Bluefish: ----------------------------------------- 2oz-6oz Bank Sinkers
Weakfish: --------------------------------------- 2oz-6oz Bank Sinkers
Striped Bass: ----------------------------------- 2oz-6oz Bank Sinkers

I think the heavier weights are better! Heavy sinkers help everyone control their lines better. I have found the 4oz jigs and weights will cause most of the tangles we encounter. You may use what ever you like these are just suggestions.

Are there rest rooms on board? Yes, we have one head (toilet) that we keep very clean.

What about food and beverages? It's bring your own. You can purchase snacks and beverages at Crossbay Fishing Station located at the marina.

Can I bring my own food and beverages? Of course. We have plenty of seating outside to enjoy your meal.

What should I wear? The best thing to do is always have extra clothing on hand. Layer clothing or pack a small bag with additional clothing. Temperatures and wind speeds can change dramatically even if you are only a small distance from port. Also, remember the sunscreen and sunglasses, even if it is off-season. The sun is exceptionally strong when it is reflected off of the water. Your day will be more enjoyable if you are comfortable, so please make sure you are warm and protected.

What if I have never fished before? Don't worry, we have an excellent crew that will explain what you need to do and when you have to do it.

Will I get seasick? Probably not! Each person has a different reaction to the motion of the boat. If you feel you may be susceptible to motion sickness, inquire with your doctor about an over the counter or prescription medication that will alleviate the problem prior to sailing, so be sure to plan ahead if you are prone to seasickness.

What do I do with the fish that I catch? A couple of things. You may take the fish home whole, or have the crew fillet them. Of course, you may also throw them back. We offer bags for the fish.

Are there fish cleaning services on board? Yes, The deck hands are available for fillet services in the stern of the boat on the return to port.

Should I tip the deck hands? Absolutely, deck hands depend on their tips to supplement their livelihoods. Gratuities are not included in the regular fare or in the fish cleaning. The customary tip for the mate on boat trips usually ranges from 10% to 20% of the chartered price of the boat or the price of an open party boat ticket. Mates work very hard to assist anglers throughout the day and they are on board the boat hours before departure and spend hours after arriving back at the dock in order to clean the boat and provide a comfortable ride to everyone.

What is the mate doing for you?

What do I do with the fish while I'm still fishing? Buckets are provided. You may bring along a bucket or cooler to keep fish fresh. Ice is available at the dock prior to departure and upon return.

How do I get there? We are conveniently located on the corner of 159th Ave and Crossbay Blvd. Howard Beach, Queens. Check out our directions page for maps and directions from different locations.

What happens if nobody shows up except me to go fishing? Does the boat still sail? No, the boat does not always sail! This is a very rare occurrence but it does happen a couple of times a season but for the most part we sail every day all year round'! We have a minimum number of people we need to sail. The number depends on where we have to go to catch fish and the weather conditions. (See below about weather cancellations) We do sail with as few as 5 passengers when we are fluke fishing or if our local wrecks are holding fish. During this time of year we do not have to travel far and the weather is generally nice near our inlet. So Please, if you are traveling a great distance or if you are going to be extremely upset if the boat does not sail call one of the captains the night before or e-mail us a day or two in advance to make sure the boat is scheduled to sail. We are an open fishing boat which means we do not take reservations. We do not know in advance how many customers we will have on any given day but we generally have an idea by the number of phone calls or e-mail we receive ahead of time.

What if it rains or there is bad weather? Does the boat still sail? Passenger safety is always our #1 priority. The captains of our vessel have many years of experience and will cancel a trip if necessary but not very often. For the most part, we sail regularly even if the weather is a bit turbulent. Summertime showers usually come and go quickly. If a shower does arise we have plenty of covered areas to stay dry. It is never a bad idea to bring along a slicker top or rain jacket. There are links to the Marine Forecast on our site map, so you may keep abreast of the latest weather.

If we have missed anything please e-mail us and we will try to answer all your questions!

The ANGLER (718) 659-8181
Captain Ken (917) 301-3237
Capt. Tony (718) 285-2821
Cross Bay Fishing Station (718) 843-3800

E-mail: The ANGLER

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