By Martin Garrell

Stan Hentschel at the Rocky Point Fishing Stop told us that the South Shore bass action for keepers has died, even off Moriches and Shinnecock. What bass are left are on the small side, usually 12 to 20 inches. There are still larger bass off the West End beaches, however. The herring run off Montauk has produced a nice catch of stripers from teen sizes up to 30 pounds for the boats. Hopes are that beach action will pick up there soon. Also, according to Alberto Knie at Camp Site Sports in Huntington Station, the cool water temperatures have moved some cod into the Cartwright area, with high-teens cod available at times. Unfortunately, dogfish are also present in numbers.

John Rainey at Miller Place Bait and Tackle will remain open for tackle repair this season. He recommended that beach anglers head for the South Shore to try the small schoolies that remain.

Port Jefferson partyboats continue to sail for tautog with the fish now in much deeper water (60-80 feet) and numbers dropping off. However, sizes have been good on good days. The Celtic Quest picked 50 keepers on a Thanksgiving-morning trip, and then came back with 64 keepers on Friday. Three of the blackfish were over nine pounds with the pool winner a 10.4-pound bulldog. According to a local source, the Sunday trip with a full boat in rough sea conditions produced poorly. Capt. Desi O'Sullivan has listed dates through Dec. 18 for trips, except for this Saturday. Anglers should call 928-3926 or go online at www.celticquestfishing.com for reservations. The Osprey IV (331-4153 and www.ospreyfishing.com) is also putting together the last trips of the season at the time of writing.

In this final report of the year, we want to thank all of our sources and readers and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We'll catch up with all of you when the lilacs bloom in the spring.

Martin Garrell