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10/20/2016 12:00 AMSeas weren’t bad during the earlier part of the week, registering between one and three feet. However, when an angler is attempting to catch fish that are beholden to specific sea bottoms, it is necessary to zero in. Sometimes, even a slight pickup in the wind’s force or direction can cause one to drift off a highly productive spot and onto a non-active zone.
That’s the way it is when fishing for ’togs. Like black sea bass fishers, ’tog pullers are protective of their spots—and rightfully so. It takes time and effort to hunt down productive holes that produce year after year. So when another fisher encroaches or deliberately almost rubs gunwales with another, expect nothing other than some venting. Sometimes a comment as subtle as “You are welcome to come aboard and fish in my boat,” might be heard. Chances are that if you hear a conversation in a normal voice coming from another vessel, it’s safe to say that you are too close.
One season when fishing by a wall (breakwater), a vessel was so close to another that, when the googan set the hook and a ’tog was yanked out of the water, it spit it and flipped into the next boat. Now, that’s much too close! While we’re on the subject, setting anchor so as to interrupt another vessel’s chum slick is another way to invite unfriendly, yet deserved comments.
As the Eddie Beauvais 28th ’Tog Tourney got underway, fishers were out in force. The walls were hit, rock piles inundated, and boulder fields dotted with those looking to land the infamous white chin. Contestants were using rigs, simple hooks and jigs, while mostly catching ’togs on crabs for much of the first day. Some fishers dealt with blustery weather and others fished closer to shore to escape the wind. High weight for the day came in at 11.48 pounds. The second day was more challenging with more wind, but did see a lead change to 12.18 pounds. With the tourney lasting seven more days, let’s see how long that lasts.
On the Water
Weather changed this past week, reminding us that colder days are on their way. Overnight air temperatures dipped into the high 30s before rebounding into the 60s, accompanied by some stiff winds. We even had days that stretched into the mid-70s, giving us some remarkable fishing opportunities.
That dip seemed to motivate the fishery because it only got better. This past week saw remarkably outstanding fishing. Atlantic menhaden literally piled into several tidal rivers and remained there as schools were pinned by foraging bluefish. Yes, there was some evidence of a kill off, but that had more to do with the numbers of bunker and feeding blues. Alligator blues easily topped 15 pounds as mixed, marauding schools forced these bunker onto river banks, still attempting to chop away at their tails even when out of reach. Similar action occurred out on the reefs as blitzes erupted there, as well. Whether trolling, jigging, drifting, or chunking, it didn’t seem to make much of a difference.
Almost as if on cue, striped bass took over when the blues seemed to have had enough—at least in the rivers. True, the bass bite was better earlier and later on in the day, but a mid-day bite often surprised fishers. There was good action with top water plugs both with the bass and blues, especially when the bait was stacked up. Live eels nailed good bass, as did bucktails and swim baits. Certain reefs also picked up steam, not only with bass, but also weakfish. And for you scup bangers out there, this season continues to be hopping, as is a run of large sea robins that make for a tasty meal for those willing to try something different.
Blackfish (tautog) season opened with a flurry of ‘toggers hitting the walls, jetties, and inshore reefs. As the week progressed, most folks dunking crabs had good results, yet not with the sizes they had hoped for. There were plenty of fish caught under five pounds with several shorts in the mix. However, double-digit catches were held to a minimum at the start. It was the inshore bite protected from the north wind that prevailed from the opening, although there were times when holding one’s spot became difficult as winds shifted to the south.
Albies and bonito continue to zigzag the Sound, hitting anchovies and other small baits. Fishers still had to be on the ready because targeting them would have created a lot of unnecessary running around unless real-time info was available. Fish in the 8- to 10-pound range have been boated.
As water temperatures are fluctuating and leaning toward the cooler side, fresh water fishing is gaining steam. There are multiple species of fish to be caught in the rivers and lakes, however, water levels are still a concern. This is also affecting the trout and salmon stocking program. As always, get out and have some fun, but understand that catches of all fish can range from fair to good.
Alert
Our seal warning continues to be in effect. They are a protected species, so keep your distance. If you should become the subject of one opting to make a free meal of your catch, be sure not to endanger it as you attempt to recoup. In reality, they’ve associated you and your vessel with feeding time. We’ve actually trained them to do so.
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...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
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