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03/24/2016 12:00 AMWhether it’s menhaden, river herring, landlocked alewives, perch, or any other natural forage on the lower end of the food chain, it’s seeking cover at this time of year. The dinner bell rang and the top of the food chain is on the prowl. Water temperatures are rising and that means fish metabolism is ratcheting up, signaling time for a food binge. With the amount of bait available early in the season, fishing action took off with a full head of steam.
Like other tidal rivers, the Connecticut River has been primed. A flurry of baitfish have already broken the silence, first by alerting hungry raptors and then by numbers of angler’s daring to test its muddy banks. For most early fishers, it is Morone saxatilis that first generates anticipation when the season changes.
It doesn’t take long before anticipation turns to excitement and soon develops into an adrenaline rush. The more forage becomes available and moves around, the more predators like striped bass become easier to catch. They will attack light gear, as well as heavier setups. The question this time of year is, will a holdover cow spool your light stuff or will a schoolie snub the other?
Ten- to 12-pound test outfits generally work well this time of year in the lower rivers. If the target is fish in the 40-inch class, then go heavier and fish farther up river. Of course, this is fishing we are talking about, so at any given time, one can be surprised. However, make no mistake about it—there are fish to be caught.
One thing to be mindful of is that, like any tidal river winding through an estuarine habitat, the water changes from predominately salt to brackish to fresh. This means that any major tidal river can hold a variety of marine and inland species of fish. With the basses alone, one could encounter stripers, bronze backs, and largemouths—all of which will be feeding.
There could easily be northerns, channel cats, carp, perch, shad, bowfins, and others. Therefore, select your gear wisely and consider broadening your horizons. Spring is a great time of year to explore, try new things, and test new techniques. Join the spring team. Now is the time to fish instead of just thinking about it.
On the Water
Spring is officially here and, like the rest of this past season, winter went out like a lamb. Still, a few more brushes might lie ahead. We had some much-needed rain accompanied by winds that helped clear out the deadwood and then some. Water temperatures in Long Island Sound have reached 46 degrees, while air temps have periodically reached the high 60s and above. Stiff winds have, at times, created small craft conditions, but in lieu of windy days, thick fog took its place.
Lately, striped bass have been slamming the river herring in the upper tidal rivers. Since blue back herring and alewives are protected and off limits to anglers in open waters, good imitators have been enticing holdover linesiders to 40 inches. The schoolie bass action has been stirring the pot, too. Long-distance swimmers, soft plastics, and some baits are doing wonders for fish and fishers’ psyches. Check out the beaches and harbor channels for fish that have spilled out into the Sound.
Our mild winter bodes well for our upcoming blackfish (tautog) and winter flounder seasons. It appears that ‘togs will be turning on sooner than later when the season opens on Friday, April 1 and it’s the same for the flatties. This means that typical hot spots that generally don’t turn on until the third week have a greater chance of lighting up much earlier. Many coves are already seeing evidence of some blackbacks in spite of their sluggish population growth.
Recent rains have given a boost to our rivers and lakes, creating cautious optimism for opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 9. Flows have moderated and clarity has improved, making catches in the Trout Management Areas less challenging. Local lakes and ponds continue to give rise to outstanding largemouth and pickerel action. Those Trout Management Lakes open through Thursday, March 31 are seeing good trout activity, including the basses, pickerel, and perch. Here, too, the spawning season is starting earlier.
Trout Contest
It’s time once again to celebrate the life of our two departed friends and young fishermen. Registrations have already started for our Annual Codi and Bubba Opening Day Memorial Trout Contest to be held on Saturday, April 9. There will be prizes for the three heaviest trout caught anywhere and weighed in at Captain Morgan’s, along with drawings for all non-winning contestants. Fishers under 12 years of age fish free with a registered adult. Let’s get it on!
Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and international fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.
For all things fishy including the latest gear, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
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