Business & Tech

Shinnecock Star Owner: 'I'm Not Leaving Hampton Bays'

The popular fishing boat is staying put in Hampton Bays -- with a possible second boat headed to Riverhead.

Despite possible plans for a second charter fishing vessel that would be docked in downtown Riverhead, Shinnecock Star owner has a message for his loyal South Fork customers: "I'm not leaving Hampton Bays."

Since news broke that Captain John Capuano had been in early talks with Riverhead Town Councilman George Gabrielsen about possibly bringing a charter fishing boat to downtown Riverhead, Capuano said there has been some confusion.

Many of his customers, he said, have mistakenly thought that his possible Riverhead venture would mean he was pulling out of Hampton Bays.

Not so, Capuano said.

Capuano said he loves Hampton Bays, where he has been docked for 15 years, and his sea of loyal customers. He has no plans to take his Shinnecock Star from Hampton Bays waters.

Instead, Capuano said he is in early discussions about the possibility of bringing a second fishing vessel to downtown Riverhead.

No plans are concrete at this point, though; the Riverhead town board is expected to vote on the concept at Tuesday's town board meeting.

Gabrielsen said the idea of a charter fishing boat to downtown Riverhead was a "win-win."

And for loyal anglers who've long lauded the Shinnecock Star, a second boat would mean double the fishing and fun: According to the Shinnecock Star's website, those aboard can experience open boat fishing with a maximum of 24 people per trip.  Charters and group outings can be arranged for up to 24 people with rod, reel, bait and tackle included.

Whether hauling in the record catch-of-the-day or just taking in sea spray and sunshine off the stern, Hampton Bays' fishermen have long enjoyed spending a day boating on the popular Shinnecock Star.

“In the spring, we are catching fluke and soon striped bass,” said Capuano, a 20-year sailing veteran. “But in the warmer weather, we also offer family charters, which just cruise around the bay. If you’re not into fishing, it’s a relaxing way for families to enjoy boating too.”

As a student at Southampton College, Capuano initially majored in marine biology, only to soon realize he wanted to be on the water, not study it. He later graduated with a business degree, but stayed true to his love of all things nautical, eventually finding work at the now defunct Good Ground Bait and Tackle during the 1980s. It was during his time his career as a fishing boat captain took root.

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“Customers would ask me where to go fishing and I started taking them out,” said the Yonkers native. “And it just evolved into a business. “


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