Printer Friendly Version - A Great Season for Bottom Fishers

Chris Nielsen (left), Sirica Alfonzo (upper right), and friends Bryan Battone, Eric Ristaino, Amanda Riggio, and Melissa Burwell (lower right) all had good sea bass days. Nielsen’s two-plus pound porgy measured at 16.5 inches. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

If you are a fisherman and you happen to be a dad, then this past weekend was a grand slam. Not only did the weather cooperate, but the fishing was superb. In most cases, what you’ve been hearing about the fishing scene likely came to fruition. All one had to do is be on the water at the right time and place and one found the fish to be more than cooperative.

At this point, there is usually a “but,” but in this case, there was none. It’s obvious that every inch of the Sound is not covered in fish nor will every fisher catch one. However, with the moon in the right phase, water cool enough to invite mid-Atlantic fish up-coast, and a reasonably good break in the weather pattern, fishing rods were forever bending.

Specifically, we’re talking about the bottom fishery. There is absolutely no let up in the black sea bass bite. The only variable is the size of the fish being caught. Their appetite is enormous and their menu so varied that these black beauties sometimes show no preference from bait to bare hooks. According to many fishers, they’re the tastiest fillet around.

What’s also intriguing is that, when fishing deep for sea bass, anything from a fluke to a porgy can take a stab at your hook. With sea bass, as with most species, the size of the hook used will make a difference, but don’t shy away from one larger than a 3/0 when fishing deep water. Their mouths can take it, along with their appetites. It’s amazing what can be found in the bellies of these opportunistic feeders. Baby lobsters, crabs, squid, clams, worms, shrimp, and small fish are often consumed.

Anticipations are high that this season will go down as one of the best for Long Island Sound sea bass in decades. Expectations are also high that during a reevaluation of the stock in 2016, the regulations will be reviewed and adjustments made to favor the recreational fisher. For now, when the bite is on, be prepared to catch and release far more than you are allowed to keep. So, friends, let the ride continue and hop on while it lasts. Good fishing!

Finally, we gained some relief from the constant wind and disturbed waters of the Sound. Upside-down tides straightened themselves out and allowed anglers to once again fish for their favorite species. Although at times still a bit bumpy, five-knot winds were a lot more tolerable than gusts over 25 knots that churned the waters and pounded hulls. Surface water temperatures reached the low 60s, but early morning air temps cooled down to the mid 50s, even though we were coming up on the Hot Moon.

As the full moon cycle approached, striped bass action significantly increased. With the rougher weather created by offshore storms behind us, schools of Atlantic menhaden began to regroup. Various harbors experienced more of this forage, although some anglers using them as bait came up short. Live eels, chunk bait, and bucktails were once again good producers of linesiders both inshore and on many of the more popular reefs.

Sea bass regained momentum after the blow with four- to five-pound humpbacks caught in depths to 100 feet. Staying closer to shore and in shallower water will net you plenty of fish, but much smaller ones. Locally, this fishery is seeing good numbers of these tasty fish and drawing quite a few anglers. Porgy, another popular table fare, are also making a good showing. Slabs in excess of 16 inches are snacking on squid and are now on most reefs. Closer to shore, expect to hook into some large sea robins and skate.

Fluke and harbor blues are showing up in greater numbers. More large fluke are entering the Sound, attacking squid on the way. Flukers willing to work will have a good shot at a doormat. Six Mile, Long Sand Shoal, Faulkner’s, and New Haven Harbor are spots to consider. Blues, now from four- to eight pounds, are onto chunks, lures, and, for real fun, flies. Weakfish, white perch, hickories, sea robins, sand sharks, and blue crabs are also here for the catching.

New York recently announced that black sea bass season will now open on Monday, June 27 to a three-fish, 15-inch limit and will increase to eight fish on Thursday, Sept. 1 and then to 10 on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Until then, pay particular attention to the Connecticut/New York demarcation line. Also, Rhode Island has adopted a remove a fin policy on striped bass that are recreationally harvested at 34 inches or greater. It’s now mandatory to immediately clip off the right pectoral fin on all such stripers caught in Rhode Island waters.

A fly fishing clinic will be held on Saturday, July 9 at Captain Morgan’s. The clinic will feature a top master casting instructor with worldwide fishing experience. Questions will be taken to help you increase your casting distance and refine your technique. You can show up at 7 a.m. with your gear or use what’s available. It’s a free event, so come and learn how to make your time on the water more productive.

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 licenses, 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...

Madeline Masella of Guilford was quite pleased with her four-pound, 22-inch black sea bass.Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan