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02/22/2017 11:00 PMAt first glance, one might steal the term “Bah! Humbug!” to describe this winter’s fishing season. There have been so many twists and turns in the weather that high hopes and plans have been dashed, only to be resurrected once again. Habit, my friends, is the one main cause that plays on the mind and, until it is broken (or at least bent a bit), disappointment will reign supreme.
New Englanders are a hardy bunch and should be used to unexpected change. Fishers have so much they can do and accomplish when things go bust, that choosing one is the challenge. For example, we all have gear that needs tending, reels that require service, rods in need of repair or a little TLC and, of course, lures whose hooks need attention. Some of those lures probably need a cosmetic touch-up, as well as a tuning. So, why not take out the cleaner, lube, grease, and tools, and go for it?
There are times during the season when all sorts of rigs come into play, such as drift rigs, jigging rigs, and trolling. All you need is simple knowledge of knot tying, along with leader material, some hooks, spinners, beads, swivels, snaps, a crimper and crimps, plus a few simple hand tools like a pliers or side-cutter. Any time in the offseason is ripe for this project.
Of course, there are shows at venues and on the flat screen that could be visited, as well as club get-togethers offering speakers and special events on fly tying, fishing techniques, and the like. For readers, there is the book and video scene, but that really should be left for non-productive time.
Unless the weather is totally unmanageable, one can always find some sort of water that’s fishable. Whether or not fish will cooperate might be another story altogether. However, with a little investigating, chances of hooking up will be greatly improved.
This could continue, but you get the picture. Certainly, there are southern getaways and also northern ones if you like the cold and a chance at ice fishing. However, this time the agenda was to head south, away from the snow. The scenery while flying down, as well as back from Jacksonville to Long Island, was every bit dressed in bland fall colors. The only snow seen was on the approaches to Port Jeff and New Haven.
St. John’s River (the longest in Florida) has a vibrant multi-specie marine and inland fishery running from the Atlantic coast through brackish waters and into the upland freshwater lakes. Usually, February fishing is slow due to the colder water temps, but definitely fishable. This trip, though, was primarily centered around biological and bycatch fishery meetings affecting the Atlantic states’ commercial fisheries. The criteria established here will ultimately affect how commercial fisheries are prioritized and regulated.
On the Water
Skipping through and dodging more of February’s wintry weather seems to be the pattern. However, the Atlantic coastline from Florida to southern New England looks typically fall, at least from the air. Farther north, though, is a winter wonderland—probably more so than many would like. That part of the country has not caught a break, with storms dumping record snowfall that keeps piling up—the latest being Winter Storm Pluto.
Inshore waters of Long Island Sound are about 36 to 38 degrees and even more when the sun shines through. Tidal rivers during their peaks are seeing intermittent striped bass activity where schoolies are actually being semi-coerced into taking soft- and hard-swimming baits. Generally, the activity is confined to the usual main rivers like the Thames, Connecticut, and Housatonic where these linesiders have been traveling from the upper reaches into the Sound and back.
Magnets along these rivers that attracted stripers were creeks, coves, and inlets where schools have been congregating. Other hot spots have been waters approaching dams and the ever-so-popular warm water outflows. As baitfish continue to move up and down the waterways, striped bass will take advantage of the forage.
Windows of opportunity have opened for cod fishing off Block Island and the Outer Banks, although most winter cod fishing centers around the Pork Chop. Some of those days have produced decent pool and market catches, while others resulted in hard jigging and playing the spots with minimal results. However, as the winds break up and the bait piles on, fishing will generally improve anywhere from 40 to 160 feet. Diamond jigs from eight ounces, rigged with clams and/or teasers, double-hook 7/0 rigs, and sinkers from 8 to 12 ounces (heavier for moon tides), coupled with a fast retrieve setup will make life a lot easier when you are on fish.
Freshwater anglers fishing the rivers have had more than the normal share of open water winter activity. Brown trout, rainbows, and the elusive native brookie have given fly fishers their moments as the cold inland Trout Management Area waterways worked their way around bends, through riffles, and into pools where many of these fish lie in wait. In-line spinners, swimmers, and live shiners have been the selection of lures for the conventional fishers, while small teasers have been a good choice for broodstock Atlantic salmon in the Shetucket River. Since ice packs have been extremely limited, some folks looked to the open or slightly iced coves for pike and even some lakes for pickerel and bass. For most, though, they are counting the days for spring or another shot for some local ice fishing, but that could just be wishful thinking.
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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