Printer Friendly Version - More Than Meets the Fisher’s Eye

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Long Island Sound trawl survey unmasks finfish like this striped bass held by a seasonal worker. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

While many fishers scramble to prepare for another fishing season and others have already tackled opening day of trout season or had a good taste of the briny, those entrusted with the health of our fisheries have been busy at work. There is a Herculean effort that goes into managing the commercial and recreational fisheries. Behind the scenes, reported numbers are crunched, ideas batted around, and directions from Washington are digested and implemented in the best way possible—not always in agreement with the rank and file.

Meanwhile, at sea, fishers are focused on their sliver of water that nets them a hard-earned income or the relaxation looked forward to at week’s end. When fish come up short, it’s unlikely that fishers will blame themselves. More often than not, they’ll place blame on establishment-implemented regulations, foreign interests, or any of the other commonly heard reasons.

Yes, everyone involved in the world of fishing is busy getting ready and trying to anticipate what’s in store for the months ahead. Weather, food supply, and water conditions are the key ingredients needed to maintain a healthy fishery and habitat. A collaborative effort among fishers, partners working in fishery management, and everyone associated with catching fish right on through to their ultimate sale affects this vital resource. Without this effort, nature evolves more quickly, often to the dismay of man and the demise of fish populations.

It’s that time of year fishers need to wet a line, get into the fishing groove, and meet those fish paying us their yearly visit. And as we attempt to out-figure them and interrupt their mission, it’s also time to take a moment to think about what went into bringing us those fish—namely, the one tugging on your line. Some say that “a good game fish is too valuable to be caught only once.” Others lust for their taste. Both are right!

Lately, we’ve been in a pattern of rain, cool mornings, wind, and partial sun. However, in recent days, more sun and warmth broke that sequence. During that process, Mother Nature relaxed its choppy grip on the Sound, thereby smoothing its waters and allowing it to gain a few more degrees. As the temps edged into the mid-50s, it became apparent that the fish population increased.

We’ve already seen thick schools of menhaden and other baitfish like river herring and shad enter our waters. Other visitors, including dolphins, have also made their appearance known, obviously taking full advantage of the food supply. This mild winter certainly helped things along and, in part, paved the way for what could be another unpredictable, yet flourishing season.

Striped bass have spread throughout the entire Sound and its estuaries. We saw an early bite of larger bass and now the schoolies are having a go at it. The recent new moon phase did produce some good fish that are making their way into the Big Pond, however, it’s the smaller class of fish that have been providing consistent action. Seaworms, jigs, soft plastics, spoons, and plugs all have been good producers.

Now that schools of bluefish have turned the corner at the eastern part of the Sound, it won’t be long before their presence will be felt. It’s the menhaden they’re pursuing and time will tell if they will push them into the harbors and lower tidal rivers and then keep them there during a tide change.

We are also seeing some early scup action on a few of the inshore reefs. It might have been a bit chilly for us, but not for them. For now, attract these little rascals with some seaworms. The bass and blues have already zoned in on them as the food chain begins to take hold. Closer to shore, winter flounder catches remain above average and black seabass (the season opened on May 1) are catchable, although action will increase as the water temperatures reach 58 degrees and above.

The news on the freshwater side is that trout stockings continue. This is holding anglers’ attention, especially since air temps have remained cool and water levels are up. Both conventional and fly fishing remain strong in spite of some challenging weather events. In a continuing effort to create programs that offset the cost of managing fisheries and related functions, the Connecticut Senate and House of Representatives passed the bill authorizing the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection to establish a trout stamp for the 2017 fishing season. What needs to be ferreted out is whether it will be required to possess a trout, fish in a catch-and-release or fly-fishing-only area, or to fish any water stocked with trout. If the latter is the case, it could encourage the release of dead fish to avoid the purchase of a stamp and a potential fine. That scenario would not be good for fish or fishers. More to come.

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 rod 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...

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration fisheries research vessel Henry B. Bigelow, berthed in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, performed various high-tech fish monitoring and sea bottom surveys in Long Island Sound. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan