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10/27/2016 12:00 AMOctober wouldn’t be living up to its reputation if the weather didn’t make one pay the price for being on the water. One minute, it’s a calm, summer-like day. Then, within less than a tide change, the Sound turns into a swirling cauldron. Shortly after that, things settle down before swelling up into a monotonous rolling action egged on by the wind.
Try settling down on a ‘tog hole while that’s occurring and your patience will be tested. Nevertheless, when blackfish (tautog) are in season, it’s hard to hold back the urge to attempt boating a white chin. Many ‘togs have been caught and released since Oct. 10. They started off small and gradually increased in size as the days wore on. Some days were rather pleasant, but in between those, water temperatures dropped and then rose as westerly gale winds blew.
It’s definitely a strange season to be pulling ‘tog for a tournament and one that requires a hardy soul. The scales were rather active when the seas laid down. Fishers jockeyed for space at the walls. They searched out inshore spots proven productive in previous years and motored (or even rowed) to get to the deep spots when seas permitted. Unfortunately, the last day saw winds to 45 knots, resulting in minimal scale activity, so most ‘tog pullers had to be content with their week’s effort and hope it was enough.
After eight days of hard fishing, the results are in. The winners of the 28th annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tournament who received trophies, cash, and bragging rights are: Jack Martin of Northford (first place, 16.46 pounds), Steve Barron of Westbrook (second, 15.64), Chris Nielsen of Wallingford (third, 13.33), Brandon Robertson of Clinton (winner of the guppy prize at 2.35 pounds), and Brian Oertel of Wallingford (Calcutta, 6.81). As usual, the banquet food prepared by Guilford’s VFW was outstanding and there were plenty of quality raffle prizes to go around. Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who participated to make this another successful tournament, with special acknowledgment to Aven McBride and Michele Beauvais McBride of Texas.
On the Water
Indian summer caused water temperatures in Long Island Sound to bounce up to 66 degrees and daytime air temps to reach into the high 70s and above. Cooler nights brought in morning fog and, in some instances, wind created choppy seas and swells as the days wore on. That weather combination did little to deter the fishing, but did put the brakes on some fishers.
Fishing certainly is well above average for this time of year and baitfish like menhaden, anchovies, and silversides brought even more large bluefish inshore. Thick schools of bunker with hickories mixed in are being herded and then corralled in the lower tidal rivers and are creating such good concentrated fishing. We are talking about 15- to 17-pound blues that are ripping apart tackle and menhaden so thick that there’s not enough oxygen to support the numbers crunched together. The top water action is superb and the chunking equally productive both inshore and out on the reefs.
One would have to say that striped bass fishing is almost on par. At times, there is nonstop plugging action bolstered by live eel and soft swim shad presentations. Rivers, bays, and tidal creeks are supporting schoolies and bass to 40 inches, while the offshore reefs are holding mostly medium-size fish. Fishers are really waiting for linesiders to come in and stage closer to the rivers, but that hasn’t happened as of the Hunter’s Full Moon. On the reefs, though, it has been jigging, trolling ‘brellas, or three-waying eels or bucktails.
Blackfish is increasingly getting better. The season started off with mostly fish less than five pounds being caught, but recently, larger ‘togs up to eight-plus pounds are showing up. The walls and jetties had an array of the juniors, but then deeper water started producing more of the bulldog variety, mostly all of which were caught on crabs.
With all the commotion in the salt, it may be hard to concentrate on porgies. Nonetheless, the scup bite remains strong out on the humps. Good fall fish are being reeled in and, with marine conditions the way they have been, this can keep going until either the temps really drop or the bass and blues have had their fill. Black sea bass continue their strong showing on the deeper reefs with plenty of pesky small ones inshore.
Our persistent seals ramp up their quest for a free meal. They are becoming more and more brazen as they associate food with boats, motors, and fish being fought. Tossing them a bait fish can turn out to be a bad idea as one angler discovered. After that happened, a seal estimated at more than 500 pounds casually popped up next to this fisher’s small boat, placed a flipper over the gunwale, and eyeballed his catch. It was a tenuous moment that could have ended badly. The seal abruptly left after a piece of bait was flung overboard, again reinforcing the association.
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 fly fishing, 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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