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04/30/2016 12:00 AMThe affinity that fishers have for blackfish (tautog) has endured throughout the ages. Whether the reason is that they are considered a local fish by many or because their unblemished tasty flesh is revered as excellent table fare is up for discussion. ‘Togs are one of the first fish of the season to come alive and one of the last to slip away before settling into their semi-hibernation state. These reasons alone help explain their popularity.
Digging a little deeper and talking to anyone who is a ‘tog-puller, one soon discovers that many consider this wrasse (Tautoga onitis
) to be a challenge to catch, an unrelenting bulldog, and one of the best bait stealers in the water. Since it’s basically a bottom fish, anchoring on a reef or rock pile makes fishing for them somewhat relaxing until one hooks into a brute that tests one’s attentiveness and skill. These reasons are probably more on point and a better assessment as to the popularity of ‘togs.
‘Togs are closely monitored and regulated and so their sustainable biomass doesn’t go into further decline. That said, the reduction in harvest and tightening of regulations hasn’t deterred recreational fishers from continuing to enjoy them. The season usually begins calling for layered clothing and ends in the same fashion and, since their bite can go undetected, keeping those fingers warm helps. Thus, for many, the fishing season in the Sound begins and ends with ‘togs.
After keeping an eye on the water temperatures (53 degrees seems to be a magic number) and testing various rock piles for activity, the anchor was carefully set. Surprisingly, any slight deviation from the mark could have meant the difference between a smile and a frown. To put it another way, the difference is one part of the boat producing and the other not so much.
Although small crabs and some scented artificial baits produce fish, the preference with this skipper for early season toggling is the use of soft natural baits. Some will disagree, but many good size early white chins have been caught on these types of baits while chumming. So with only a few days left in the spring season, set up on a reef or cast to a rock pile before it closes and the taste of a fresh ‘tog fillet will be a memory until July.
On the Water
Rain, half-mile visibility, and 51-degree air temperatures kicked off the weekend. Then the wind blew, but that didn’t stop fishers from getting out onto the Sound, where the water was 53 degrees and the moon was full. What met them was a plethora of bait and fish taking full advantage of the menu.
It was the last full week of spring blackfish season and one where the ‘togs were increasingly biting on worms, clams, and crabs. For the past few weeks, the bite has increased as the fish moved from 35 feet to 15 and then to the inshore reefs and walls, where temps warmed the structure and surrounding water. Fish caught were generally in the four- to six-pound range with a few being curve-breakers, but most around the three-pound mark. Saturday, April 30 is the last day of the season before it resumes again on Friday, July 1.
The inshore bite continues with striped bass feeding on menhaden, herring, and shad. Fishers using artificials are catching them on plugs, spoons, jigs, and soft plastics, as well as sea worms. Flood tides and evenings seem to be the best times, especially when fishing the harbors and tidal rivers. Check out the lower tidals on the last half of the dropping tide and don’t rule out slack tide or the flip.
With much of the attention focused on ‘togs and linesiders this week, fishing for flatties has almost been overlooked. There have been some good double-digit catches in the mid- to high teens, mostly caught from small vessels anchored in coves and by harbor channels with a few landed from shore near inlets. Chumming certainly helped to increase hookups, but with a two-fish limit, fishers supplemented their catch with a bass or a couple of ‘togs.
The much-needed rain improved the flows and levels of the trout rivers, however, it also compromised the clarity right after. Stocking continued and some of the waters that seemed to have reduced trout numbers were filled with ‘bows, browns, brookies, and tigers. If you have yet to hook into a hybrid tiger trout, be prepared for a tussle. Nymphs and streamers have been the way to go for the fly rodders with some intermittent dry fly action on the warmer days. Conventional anglers are garnering success with brighter inline spinners and floaters in less-than-clear water. However, worms, grubs, live shiners, and scented baits are responsible for many daily limits.
Lakes, ponds, and main rivers are seeing good largemouth bass action and more hookups with bronzebacks. Spinnerbaits, jigs, lively plastics, and cranks are the key producers. Black crappie are being caught on small jigs, while pickerel, perch, and some pike and channel cats have been taking live bait, artificials, and processed baits.
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 clam supplies, 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...
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