Staten Island’s Fishing Workshop Casts in Midland Beach

Midland Beach hooked last night with Staten Island’s Fishing Workshop, reeling NYC’s spring by the pier. Angler Jay Patel taught knots as 40 cast, a $15 class for rod skills. It’s borough lines—pure SI vibe, reels hot. A kid snagged a boot; a pro landed a fluke. ‘Staten fishes—this is it,’ Patel says, baiting hooks. The shore turned tackle shop.

The shop’s fresh—March 31’s start, it tripled since RSVPs, packing sand by 3 p.m. Patel’s a St. George caster; last night’s crowd hit max—lines splashed. A latecomer nabbed a pole; gulls swooped—NYC grit glowed. Catches hit five—fish ruled. #SIFishingShop trended; Bronx wants a reel.

Some griped—’Too fishy,’ sniped a landlubber, dodging bait. Tide tugged—casts slipped; grit held. A rival’s pitching a Tottenville hook, splitting rods. Still, 50 stayed—lines reigned. Midland’s never cast so bold.

Patel’s teasing a tourney, maybe a boat if spring bites. ‘NYC’s waves—this pulls ‘em,’ he says, packing tackle. The shop’s a Staten win—grit meets tide. It’s a fish rush; join the next. Bring a rod—catches call.