This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
06/01/2017 12:00 AMIt had been so long since we had a real spring that some fishers were taken aback by this year’s transition. It was warm when it should have been much colder and cold when the temperatures normally climbed. The fluctuation between the two extremes only served to confuse the issue and gave the impression that all of this flip-flopping would have a negative effect on the fishing.
Quite the contrary! Except for periods where sudden changes occurred, spring fishing for striped bass actually is turning out to be quite good, especially in the main tidal rivers. Transitioning from one spot to another was often the key to locating and staying on top of the fish. Whether in the rivers or along the shoreline, these holdover linesiders have been moving around.
At times, they did stay put. However, when that occurred, after a few casts, they either lost interest and developed lockjaw, or the bite slowed down to a point of only an occasional hookup. In those cases, swapping off a lure generally resulted in one or two more hookups or, at least, a follow. Moving on, though, was often the right choice.
With the herring making their river runs, it was obvious that something similar in the tackle box was the way to go. A soft plastic swim shad, or variation thereof, is always a smart choice. On this day, though, these fish were all over top waters. In fact, at times, they were all over each other. There were no bluefish in the mix to upset the cadence, leaving both fisher and fish to challenge each other uninterrupted.
The morning was calm and overcast with ideal conditions for an average popper. One with a deep cup would gurgle and throw water, but would have been too noisy—most likely making them skittish. The one that worked throughout the trip was a lipless topwater. It was quieter, floated, and could be twitched while retrieving. That combination proved unbeatable, almost magical, and should be included in every striped bass fisher’s go-to arsenal.
On the Water
After a cool-down, air temperatures, accompanied by unsettled weather, began rising into the 70s, bringing with them clouds and more showers. Inshore water temps remain in the high 50s to low 60s, wavering, but gradually heading in the right direction. Bouts of wind and occasional fog hampered the shoreline, but breaks in those conditions, even with threats of rain, gave fishers the opportunities needed.
The striped bass migration has really spread out, bringing cows in the 50- to 60-pound range past Connecticut waters and into Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Some of those linesiders have trickled into Long Island Sound, joining our river holdover population. As a result, the action in the lower tidal rivers—and actually farther up—has been, in some cases, awesome. Top water plugs have been deadly! Many of our inshore reefs are also seeing similar activity.
Throughout the Sound, appetites of these fish are changing as a variety of forage becomes more available. Sea worms and live eels, joined by schools of menhaden and herring, are prime forage. Imitations, such as swim shads and plugs, are also productive, although a lot is predicated on conditions and time of day. Casting jigs, trolling umbrella rigs, and drifting bucktails by structure are producing various year-class of fish.
Weakfish have been in and are now joined by more bluefish following the menhaden. Schools of bunker are growing in size and are catchable, but have been sporadic in their appearance. Catches of blues have been made at various harbor inlets on flooding tides, yet made more regularly out on the reefs while trolling. Check out Six Mile, Charles, and Kimberly reefs. Shad are also showing up more frequently in the rivers.
Porgy catches are up with some eye-openers being caught on sea worms. Several of the popular reefs, along with a few shore spots, are increasingly seeing more action as the days pass. Fluke catches are following a similar trend, but without the doormat headliners. To date, most inshore catches still remain short of the 19-inch limit. Some of the black sea bass fleet was unable or unwilling to challenge the deep water haunts during recent bouts with the weather. Catches made, though, have mostly been in the three-pound range with some four-pound humpbacks coming up for squid and jig offerings. Winter flounder activity is improving, but still fair and variable. Fishing in the tidal rivers for schoolies could turn out to be a blessing in disguise when coming across an unexpected find of white perch. Water needs warming, but nevertheless, blue crabs are starting to pop.
It has been an very good week for trout catches. Live bait, flies, in-line spinners, and scented baits were productive at any given time. There are still plenty of hefty fish left to be caught before the heat sets in and fish become finicky. Even the lakes kicked up a notch for the trollers, although the cooler statewide zones offered more of a challenge.
Things are beginning to really percolate in many of the inland lake and ponds. Water temperature is still playing a key role on activity, with the shallower sections providing the best largemouth action. Lakes also home to bronzebacks are seeing a resurgence from when temps warmed and then cooled down. Live shiners, jerk baits, spinnerbaits, and some jigs have garnered respectable catches. Pickerel, perch, smaller panfish, catfish, and carp have all livened up—even a northern or two have been caught.
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
captainmorgan.fish@sbcglobal.net
captainmorgan-fish.blogspot.com
twitter @captmorgan_usa