Collecting
- Thread starter cb747
- Start date
Justjoe
New member
Chris,
I collected for many years south of a marina on Flatbush Ave, just south of the Belt Pkwy, we used to call that area "Dead Horse Bay". I don't recall the marina name, but its the only one there.
You have to go at low tide, don't bother at high tide. Lots of great tropicals there. Still too cold for the tropicals, but other local stuff will be there now. Some extra lead weights will also help in that area.
Just watch your net dimensions, etc. There are permits involved with certain larger size nets (both length and depth of net), but I don't recall the cut offs for "no permit" nets
I collected for many years south of a marina on Flatbush Ave, just south of the Belt Pkwy, we used to call that area "Dead Horse Bay". I don't recall the marina name, but its the only one there.
You have to go at low tide, don't bother at high tide. Lots of great tropicals there. Still too cold for the tropicals, but other local stuff will be there now. Some extra lead weights will also help in that area.
Just watch your net dimensions, etc. There are permits involved with certain larger size nets (both length and depth of net), but I don't recall the cut offs for "no permit" nets
cb747
Active member
Larry come with me when the time gets near 
d4a2nok ive heard of seahorses showing up but ill be darned if i can remember where it was. Maybe it was there! Im sure theres lots of great spots all over the south shore. I just need to find them but im off to a good start so far I wonder if any kind of tropicals make there way to the North shore. I do remember finding pipe fish in Hempstead Harbor once.
d4a2nok ive heard of seahorses showing up but ill be darned if i can remember where it was. Maybe it was there! Im sure theres lots of great spots all over the south shore. I just need to find them but im off to a good start so far
I wonder if any kind of tropicals make there way to the North shore. I do remember finding pipe fish in Hempstead Harbor once.
Justjoe
New member
You'll get tropicals on the North Shore as well, just not as many.
The pipefish are a local species and not a Gulf Stream rider.
Seahorses are a local species as well (same species as found along the entire east coast-not sure what their northern range is though).
More importantly, seahorses in NY are now protected by NYSDEC and you must have a permit to collect them, otherwise the fine is a hefty one if found with seahorses.
I think if your net is under 20' and 4' deep, you should be ok, but its worth double checking it. If I find anything, I'll let you know.
I once had a school of about 100 doctorfish (tangs) swim past while diving Shinnecock Bay and last year we had a guy in Greenport with a 6' tarpon in his pound net
Joe
The pipefish are a local species and not a Gulf Stream rider.
Seahorses are a local species as well (same species as found along the entire east coast-not sure what their northern range is though).
More importantly, seahorses in NY are now protected by NYSDEC and you must have a permit to collect them, otherwise the fine is a hefty one if found with seahorses.
I think if your net is under 20' and 4' deep, you should be ok, but its worth double checking it. If I find anything, I'll let you know.
I once had a school of about 100 doctorfish (tangs) swim past while diving Shinnecock Bay and last year we had a guy in Greenport with a 6' tarpon in his pound net
Joe
I know I heard some folks were pushing for this, but I never heard it had become reality. Can't find any mention of it on DEC's website either. If in indeed they have enacted a ban on seahorse collection, they need to actually get the word out to the general public.
cb747
Active member
I wouldnt even keep any sea horses. Id much rather buy CB instead of taking them from the wild. I never knew they along with pipe fish were native to our waters. I bought my net mainly to catch silversides for my anemones and eels and to use for bait when i go fishing but figured as long as i have it i might as well see what else i can come up with Im pretty psyched now!
Im pretty psyched now!
Hey I went out diving yesterday. I caught 5 snowflake groupers, very pretty ones. I saw 3 spotfin butterflies and 1 banded butterfly. they were all very small so I didn't bother catching them. I still amazes me to be swiming along w/ seabass, blackfish and other locals and there are brightly colored butterflies that stick out like a sore thumb.
