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05/05/2016 12:00 AMAnglers’ minds are no different than that of the average sportster. In order to perform efficiently, they need to be stimulated or they soon enter into a semi-dormant state and zone out. In other words, we become bored.
Fishers casting the same lure or who constantly use the same bait with minimal results will soon tire. Even if they insist on experimenting with other enticements and receive similar non-rewards, the end result is still boredom. Well, fish often react in the same fashion.
How often had you heard someone say, “With all the bait around and thick schools of bunker everywhere, I can’t believe there are no fish under them.” Well, friends, there usually are. Sometimes the bunker are so dense that one can’t detect the quivering throughout the school as it’s being picked apart from beneath. Other times, under certain conditions, a predator just isn’t intrigued any longer. Even they reach a point of having had enough.
So, which is it? Do fish become as bored as we do (even though, at times, both are gluttons for punishment) or do they need to be stimulated with something else that signals to them the worthiness of spending the energy to feed? How many times has one sat at a restaurant thinking he or she has had the last bite when out comes the desserts? Often, it was not the last bite after all.
In order to get fish to react in the same manner, we must understand that they need to be stimulated. Sometimes, when all the effort in the world is unsuccessful, it’s time to move on. A true fisher will move to a different spot, change baits, and alter presentations, but still look for that stimulus. Sooner or later, it usually pays off. I guess the origin of “one more cast” has its roots somewhere hidden deep within our DNA.
On the Water
Long Island Sound water temperatures are hovering around the low 50s, while the northerly winds and cooler evening air temps are keeping them in check. These winds have sometimes created choppy conditions, especially after the early morning fog lifts. Apparently, these conditions have not adversely affected any of the migrating fish or the holdovers.
In fact, quite the opposite has been occurring. Striped bass activity has soared in many of the harbors and adjacent tidal rivers and is now overflowing onto some of the inshore reefs. Although the bite has varied with conditions, many of the catches were the result of effective presentation of plugs, jigs, soft plastics, and sea worms. Rigging up a light setup of 10- to 14-pound gear is more than enough to engage most of the linesiders you will encounter. However, there are a few gals out there that will make you wish you had used something beefier. Once again, a reminder that there are some bluefish cruising the waters and some shad in the rivers.
Blackfish (tautog) have really been pulling and jerking all along the shoreline, especially at the inshore reefs and walls. Water temperatures have hit the low end of their sweet spots and more than a couple of ’tog pullers have been awakened by white chins weighing in the high teens. Unfortunately for the fishers and fortunately for the fish, April 30 was the last day to hook into these favorites. If the spring season stretched on a little longer, there’s no doubt that ’toggers wouldn’t mind it in the least. The next time one will be able to fish for these sought-after table fare is Friday, July 1.
With all the concern about winter flounder having sustainability issues, the number of quality blackbacks that have been caught lately is surprising. From the bays, harbors, and channels, including shore points, flatties have been actively pursued and, more often than not, cooperative. Just like the cormorants, seagulls love these, too, so keep a keen eye on your surroundings when fishing. And since fluke season will be opening on Tuesday, May 17, you can be fairly certain that they are already here. Therefore, it’s important to be able to tell the difference between the two. Minimum length on winter flounder is 12 inches and minimum length on summer flounder (fluke) is 16 to 18 inches when fishing enhanced shore sites.
Inland, trout were jumping mostly due recent restocking. Aside from the fish truck ringing the bell for anglers, so to speak, there were days when these fish just would not lay down. On the flipside, there were several weather fronts that dealt a losing hand to many fishers, but in between those, action tended to be above average. Fish in excess of three pounds are hugging the bottom of river pools and deep lake structures and are still being caught by astute anglers. Carp activity is holding, channel catfish are biting, white perch and black crappie are taking small baits, largemouth bass are hot, and smallie action is improving daily. Pike are being fussy, while pickerel have been just the opposite.
Event
Mark your calendar! The 2016 International Fly Fishing Film Festival is coming to Yale University. Worldwide name brand sponsors blend with popular fly fishers to make this an outstanding event and it will be held on Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Whitney Humanities Center. The cost is $18 in advance and $20 at the door.
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 reel repairs, 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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