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08/18/2016 12:00 AMThe feel of hot, humid, and heavy August air smacks of bluefish. Even the smell of menhaden permeating through the thick air signals that there’s something going on. That something is jumbo blues who are actively taking part in—or more aptly put, are tearing apart—the varied menu that Long Island Sound provides us.
Fishers out for a thrill didn’t have to move far from shore before seeing telltale signs of this phenomenon. For now, there are schools and schools of small bunker breaking the surface. Before them, large ones dominated and that theme will soon be resurrected. Regardless of size, bluefish don’t seem to mind. In fact, it’s protein that a blue will attack and, if not that, it will likely take a bite anyway.
Pomatomus saltatrix, a voracious pelagic fish, has a richly deserved reputation as a determined feeder and relentless fighter. Pound for pound, it is truly a heavyweight that gets the adrenaline flowing when hooked. Whether its flesh is worthy of a meal is debatable. Some love it, while others pass. If small, freshly prepared and properly cooked, it can actually be good. The key is in prepping.
When on the water and concentrating on outfoxing a bluefish that doesn’t want to relent, the furthest thing from one’s mind is how it will taste. Instead, the hard pull, fast run, jaw-tight grip, and whether or not the leader will hold up is in the forefront. Another thought might be if the fish on the other end of the line can become a contender in a contest. The annual WICC Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28. The winner will receive $25,000. Will you be the next winner of this long-living tradition? The deadline of 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26 is fast approaching to sign up for the Captain Morgan’s PiggyBack and WICC tournaments. Register now at Captain Morgan’s.
On the Water
The dog days of summer snuck up on us. Just when we thought August might slip by under the cover of El Niño—wham! It suddenly became tropical with Long Island Sound water temperatures hitting above 75 degrees and tidal rivers also climbing. Nights cooled a tad, temps climbed to near 100 in spots during the day, and thunderstorms broke out later on when clouds couldn’t hold any more water. Of course, there was the wind that boaters confronted if they chose to leave the comfort of the dock.
The heat in the rivers caused both menhaden and bass to seek out cooler water, so nighttime fishing with eels still proved the best option for catching linesiders. However, the lower tidals and harbors held plenty of bait. Day fishers, for the most part, found the deep, cool reefs productive as stripers continued to forage for bunker, spearing, shrimp, and squid. It was here that deep water chunking and diamond jigging paid off. Although fish were being caught, anglers did have to put in their time and, at times, they were pleasantly surprised by a less-than-cautious weakfish.
Birds signaled that the bluefish were working schools of bunker. Blitzes were more pronounced than the previous week with much of the Sound’s shoreline seeing good action as blues plowed their way through it. Top water plugs and flies were successful in separating small- to medium-size fish from their concentrated feeding, whereas chunk bait and jigs pulled larger fish from the bottom. Popular offshore spots continue to be Six Mile, Cornfield Point, Crane’s, Faulkner’s, and The Beacon, while Meigs Point, Guilford Harbor, and several jetties along the shore are seeing blitzes on the flood. Also, snappers are in and catches are up.
Porgy (scup) are not easing up and can be found stacking on most reefs and rock piles. Whether it’s someone’s fishing debut or the seasoned scup banger, these delicious scrappers are inhaling baits and putting up a fuss when hooked. Sizes are now mixed, but with a recreational limit of 30, a feast for the family is at hand. Black sea bass are similar in popularity and availability. More fish in the 20-inch class are now being caught in various depths (mostly on squid), although these tasty edibles have quite a varied diet. Hi-lo rigs are the way to go here.
Fluke catches have been moderate with large doormats being caught between numbers of shorts. Wind and driving rain have made for challenging fishing, but once a few tides washed away the stained water, fishing improved. Overall numbers appear to be off, indicating a stock rebuild may be in their future. Meanwhile, ‘tog pullers have been catching blackfish (tautog) along the shore while dodging weather fronts and bluefish blitzes.
Sea robins are taking bait and also attempting to eat a lure. In fact, they’re actually coming up from the bottom for one. Northern kingfish are not letting a sea worm go by if feeding close to shore, while sizable dogfish are giving fishers a tussle when bottom fishing from shore or boat.
Alert
To comply with the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission Coastal Shark Fishery Management Plan, effective Monday, Aug. 22, fishing for sharks (take, possess, or land) in Connecticut other than smooth or spiny dogfish will require a Highly Migratory Species permit. If catching an incidental shark without a permit, let it go alive while minimizing stress and damage.
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 bait, 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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