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07/20/2017 12:00 AMIt was a typical start to a New England weekend in 2017. Weather predictions weren’t the greatest, but then again, their reliability isn’t always the greatest either. Coming off a week of hot to cool air temperatures, rain, and thunderstorms, the weekend began with cloud cover, patchy fog, and less-than-ideal sea conditions. Therein lies the dilemma.
In spite of it all, fishing (actually, catching) has been over the top. The concentrations of different fish species now inhabiting Long Island Sound has almost reached its peak, leaving fishers with the choice of either missing some great action or working in conjunction with Mother Nature. Whether motoring, paddling, or shore bound, the choice of when, where, and what to fish for could be made effectively.
However, this particular weekend solved that problem all by itself. By the end of Saturday, the temps began to warm and the sun finally broke through. Early Sunday morning was actually the start of a top 10 summer day with seas as calm as could be. Tributaries also reflected that calmness, having come alive with fin, shellfish, and, yes, bunker.
It was a day that finally let fishers pick and choose how to fill their desires. Unless one was a striper seeker, it seemed as though most lines were rigged for bottom fishing. Black sea bass were easy to catch and plentiful—tasty, too. There was even enough current to effectively drift for fluke after selecting from a vast assortment of killer rigs and then dressing them with a winning combination of bait offerings. Sizes even reached doormat proportions in spite of the persistent shorts showing up at the dinner bell first.
It was a day to lay back and chill out with one hand on the rod and both eyes scanning from point to point, while letting the current have its way with you. Often in this state, nibbles are more magnified and, when the bottom appears to be snagged and your attention is gotten, both hands now grasp the rod.
Fluke sometimes follow a rig for a while before making a move. They often suction the bottom, giving the feel of being hung up, before initiating their dance. That second hand better replace whatever was in it with a net, because, if not, the chances of losing a good fish at the top should be expected. It was a day for long drifts and some good fish.
On the return trip, with the seas still relatively calm, some breaking fish could be seen far inshore. It turned out to be a small school of chopper-quality bluefish having their way with a mediocre school of menhaden. Strange that there were no birds visible. After a few casts and releases, it was time to point the bow to port and call it a day. And that’s how it was on this relaxing summer day.
On the Water
The heat was back and so were the rains, although they little in the way of damping the fishing. During those episodes, fishers hugged the docks, but when the weather broke, there were fish on. Inshore water temperatures hovered in the low 70s and those blistering days forced certain fish to seek deeper, cooler, oxygen-rich water levels.
Atlantic menhaden piled up in some harbors during the early hours before scattering when the sun rose, only to return later in the day. Striped bass have been paying a bit more attention to bunker schools where the edges of the Sound meet the lower tidal rivers and inshore reefs set up rip lines. Turbulent seas have made bass fishing a bit edgy, but nevertheless, covering ground has produced nice catches of fish.
Bluefish have been responding to bait, as well as spoons, jigs, and umbrella rigs. Top water flurries have been spotty compared to bottom fishing and trolling. When the days have been milder, sunset produced some good fish near shore. Six Mile, Faulkner’s Island, Charles, and The Beacon have been the better producers, along with The Race. Check your wire leader supply and keep an eye out for weakfish.
Black sea bass catches both on the Connecticut and New York side are unrelenting. Deep water continues to generate bigger fish. Squid rigged with simple teasers are responsible for most catches, although some are being caught on jigs and clams. The season keeps getting stronger. Scup (porgy) fishing is another hot topic as more and more of these scrappy saltwater panfish are inhaling baited hooks. Great family fun and introduction to marine fishing that befriends the palate. Sea worms, clams, or some artificially scented baits on a simple hook set up is all the terminal gear needed, aside from a sinker.
Fluke are rapidly becoming another topic of conversation as more of the doormat variety are being caught. These summer flounder are being caught along the beaches and in the lower tidal rivers, as well as drifting the offshore shoals. The deeper the water and the bigger the bait typically brings up doormat-quality fish. Be informed, though, that there are plenty of shorts one may have to wade through first.
Bottom prowlers like sandsharks, sea robins, and skate continue to maintain their reputation as the consummate bait stealers. In addition, there is a full array of fish populating the Sound, a few of which are still making their way up from the mid-Atlantic. Even the inland lakes and ponds are seeing good action, including various trout rivers.
Free Fly Fishing Clinic
By popular request, on Saturday, July 22 at 7 a.m., Captain Morgan’s will again host a free fly fishing clinic featuring a world fisher and master instructor. It will be a fun-filled and educational morning. Bring your own gear or use the setups supplied. You will leave having learned something new.
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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