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09/01/2016 12:00 AMRegistration got out to a shaky start, but contestants eventually decided to converge en masse and register for the WICC Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth. The general consensus was that the favorable weather was going to hold and, evidently, last-minute plans were finalized based on that assumption. The fact that there was an inordinate amount of bait for those toothy critters to chow down on, along with a strong, steady bluefish run through the past few weeks, certainly had a favorable impact on those last-minute registrations.
It didn’t take long before early morning weigh-ins started getting logged. New York got the ball rolling by claiming 13 of the initial top 15 spots. However, at 2:24 a.m. on Aug. 27, a blue weighing 18.52 pounds (that was around 14 years old) topped the scale at Jack’s of Westbrook, followed by a couple of 16-pound weigh-ins from New York. By late morning, Connecticut edged up, bringing the standings to New York 9, Connecticut 6, with the 18.52-pounder still holding on to what some considered an insurmountable lead. At this point, there five 16-pounders following the first-place fish.
Going into the second day, not much changed overnight, except that Connecticut gained a spot in the top 15, cutting New York’s lead to 8-7. Just like day one, day two started off pleasant with a slightly increasing breeze, although more boats converged east. Overnight weigh-ins were light, morning saw an ebb tide, and many fishers were keying on the coming flood of the afternoon, when hopes to clinch a money spot before the scales closed would be the highest.
By the morning high tide, there was the 18.52-pounder, eight 16-pounders, and six 15-pounders, with the lowest weight 15.18. Overall, the morning weigh-ins were light. They picked up with the flood tide as blues smashed the surface in the afternoon, leading up to a rush at the scales before closing at 5 p.m. on Aug. 28.
At day’s end, the unofficial top winners (pending polygraphs) are Juan Marrero (18.52 pounds; first place of $25,000); Paul Rescigno (16.93; second place of $10,000); and Justin Kuhl (16.52, third place of $2,500). Captain Morgan’s port prize of $200 went to Joe Mancarella for his 14.89-pound fish. The winner of Captain Morgan’s piggyback was Keith Staschke at 14.79. For the overall top 15, New York finished with eight, while Connecticut had seven. Congratulations to all the weary-eyed folks who made this possible.
On the Water
Other than some wind and a few downpours that didn’t amount to much, fishing conditions have been ideal. Central Sound surface water temperatures hung in the mid-70s and waves fluctuated from mostly calm to the occasional small craft warning. Nevertheless, fishing—or, let’s say, catching—has been the rule.
There has been no let up in the amount of forage around nor has there been a lack of feeders taking advantage of it. Capturing center stage this past weekend had to be the interest in catching bluefish. Many fishers were out for the pure fun of battling these well-respected fighters. Some connoisseurs were looking to dress the table with harbor blues, while others were looking for the biggest, meanest prize winning alligator they could catch.
Still, not everyone by the water last weekend was tournament-bound. Many were out just to catch fish, no matter the species. Not to sound presumptuous, but the fishing has been so good that one had plenty of opportunities to capitalize. Striped bass were still very cooperative during the night bite, especially when live eels were used. They did respond to jigs during the day and, at times, deep water chunking, yet the night bite was best.
Porgies continue to be hot on mostly all reefs during the last of the flood and first of the ebb. Sizes are mixed, but there have been plenty of slabs caught. Sea bass remain strong with larger fish being caught offshore by either drifting or set up. The preferred bait is squid. Summer flounder catches are up both on the shoals and tidal rivers as more fish in excess of 24 inches are being caught. Connecticut’s blackfish (tautog) season ends on Thursday, Sept. 1 with lackluster performance and will reopen on Monday, Oct. 10.
Sea robins are abundant and are even rising to take artificial bait. If you haven’t filleted one up and tried it yet, give it a whirl. A fish doesn’t have to look pretty to be tasty. Northern kingfish is another that has frequented the shoreline and one that also is friendly to the taste buds. Dogfish are still prowling the depths and, unlike other shark species, don’t require an Highly Migratory Species permit to catch them in the Sound. Here is another fish that, if prepared properly, is good to eat, especially the spiny, which is sometimes referred to as “rock salmon.”
If you prefer to romp around the wetlands, then hit up the bays and tidal rivers for snapper blues (now about six inches), some hickory shad, and definitely blue crabs that are providing good fun and quality catches.
Anglers are continuing to work for trout through the heat and low water levels, but are hooking into better fish early in the morning. Largemouth bass are onto frogs, top waters, and some soft plastics; night has been better. Smallies have been more finicky, but good. The pike bite has been decent, catfish and carp good, and pan fish excellent. Why not take a break from the heat and try your hand in the saltwater?
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 permits, 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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