Staten Island’s Fish Fair Casts in Tottenville

Tottenville splashed last night with Staten Island’s Fish Fair, reeling NYC’s spring at a rec lot. Angler Jay Patel hooked bass as 200 gawked, a $10 ticket fest of rods. It’s borough catch—pure SI vibe, bait hot. A kid nabbed a minnow; a pro bagged a trout. ‘Staten reels—this is it,’ Patel says, casting lines. The stalls turned pier.

The fair’s fresh—March 31’s start, it tripled since RSVPs, packing curbs by 3 p.m. Patel’s a St. George caster; last night’s crowd hit max—reels whirred. A latecomer nabbed a rod; waves lapped—NYC grit glowed. Runs one day—fish ruled. #SIFishFair trended; Bronx wants a hook.

Some griped—’Too fishy,’ sniped a newbie, dodging stink. Wind tugged—poles held; hauls held. A rival’s pitching a Midland cast, splitting lines. Still, 300 stayed—catches reigned. Tottenville’s never reeled so bold.

Patel’s teasing a monthly run, maybe a dusk fish if spring bites. ‘NYC’s waters—this pulls ‘em,’ he says, packing tackle. The fair’s a Staten win—grit meets tide. It’s a fish rush; catch the next. Bring a rod—waves call.