John Remsen Sr. is a seasoned bayman and fisherman who was born in Freeport in 1933. Coming from a lineage of fishermen, with both his father and grandfather being involved in the trade, John developed a deep connection to the ocean from an early age. He assisted his great grandfather, Alanson Ellison, in haul-seining on the ocean before it was outlawed in 1942. At the age of 12, John began selling clams to local families, starting with a rowboat and eventually upgrading to a motorboat.

Retired bayman and boat builder John Remsen shares his memories of storms and hurricanes including Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Interview with Joe Scavone

In this interview Joey Scavone of Freeport, New York talks about his livelihood in working on the bay and ocean of Freeport.

Jim Rose, born James Malan Rose on March 17, 1954, in Southampton, is a seasoned clammer and gill netter from Long Island, New York. He moved to the Patchogue area of Long Island in 1960 and has lived there for most of his life. Rose began his career in clamming at the age of twelve, following in the footsteps of his older brother. He started clamming part-time after school and during the summers, using an old boat he fixed up himself. Despite not coming from a bay family, Rose continued clamming throughout his junior high and high school years.

Jerry Collins, a lifelong resident of the Sayville area in Bay Shore, was born there and spent most of his life in the region, except for his military service. His father worked as a fisherman, clammer, and oysterman, instilling in Jerry a deep connection to the maritime activities of the area. Growing up, Jerry often accompanied his father into the bay, although he admits that he probably got in his way more often than not. In 1946, Jerry began his full-time involvement in clamming, primarily as a tonger. He has primarily worked in Islip town but has also worked in surrounding towns.

Jack Combs was born on May 1, 1988, and grew up in Freeport and Massapequa, Long Island. He spent his childhood surrounded by the bay and developed a deep connection to the marine environment. Jack's family owned a bay house and a houseboat on Goose Creek. His father and grandfather played significant roles in shaping his love for the bay, with fishing trips in Greenport and oyster shucking being regular activities. He later took over Captain Jack's Bait Station, where he continued the family tradition of stunts and tricks to entertain customers.

George Streit, born on May 19, 1987, is a lifelong enthusiast of fishing, whose love for the sport has shaped his life and experiences. Originally from Queens, George moved to Freeport in 1940, where he discovered his passion for fishing at an early age. He acquired his first sport fishing boat, Tiger, and ventured into the world of big game fishing, which became a significant part of his life. Growing up with a father who was a cabinet maker, George learned the ropes of fishing while working on the shore.

Mr. Combs comes from a long line of baymen. He speaks about being a captain, shipbuilding, and other experiences in the fishing industry.

Frank Rizzo is an experienced fisherman and captain who has spent many years navigating the waters off Long Island. His experience includes encounters with American submarines and fighter ships, navigating through heavy fog, and dealing with the challenges of changing fish populations due to pollution. Rizzo has also worked with notable figures in the fishing industry, such as Captain Al, and has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience from these interactions.