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08/03/2017 12:00 AMAnother year means another Shark Week to rattle the underwater cages of the data searchers. As the years have gone on, we’ve seen this summer event morph from a white-knuckle thriller experience into more of gaining a better understanding of these denizens of the deep. We’ve also seen sharks gravitate from offshore locations to new feeding grounds closer to our beaches and shorelines.
More and more, we are finding that these members of the elasmobranch group of fishes are spreading out into new waters. Whether by force from within by members seeking dominance, or the lack of available food to adequately feed this cartilaginous species, they have been on the move. Fish will always seek out their comfort zone and part of that has to do with climatic factors and, more important, food.
For whatever the reason, be it water temperature changes or survival, parts of a food chain will move when conditions dictate. If that occurs, there is a domino effect. Eventually, sea life like sharks, which have developed into fine-tuned apex eating machines after eons of evolution, will follow suit.
When fishing, especially for sharks, we often chum in order to bring fish to our hooks. In essence, this is what takes place when seals or schools of baitfish congregate in a given area.
We have found that sharks are very efficient and, like us, like to sample their food before delving headfirst into a meal. If there is too little fat, the target most likely will be rejected. Unlike us, tasting is not necessarily a delicate maneuver and often results in a discard, often causing harm to unsuspecting swimmers or boarders. Sharks are curious creatures and are always up for sampling something new.
As additional research is done and data is compiled, our understanding of sharks becomes clearer and cohabitation will become easier and much safer. We are learning that these creatures are not to be feared, but should instead be respected and given their space. Most of the sharks found or caught in Long Island Sound are of the dogfish, sand tiger, and sandbar (brown) variety. Other periodic visitors can be the thresher, blue, mako, hammerhead, and, possibly, young great whites. There have only been three brushes with sharks in the Sound over the last 80 years—all minor encounters. Sharks caught should be released unharmed.
On the Water
We saw another week of cloudy, wet, windy, and unseasonably cold weather before some August warmth crept in. Long Island Sound water temperatures generally remained in the low 70s, although the surface chop created bumpy rides for many mariners. Nevertheless, fishing remained fairly good before and after these episodes.
At times, several lower tidal rivers were choked with Atlantic menhaden, creating an active environment for fishers. Striped bass in the 20- to 25-pound class had quite a feed before heading to the offshore reefs and shoals. Live eels performed well, but it was often a tossup as to whether a bunker or eel would entice a hookup. Chunkers had their moments, especially at the deeper reefs, as did trollers and wire-lining bunker spoons. Stripers are moving, along with the bait schools, so try multiple spots around Faulkner’s, as well as Six Mile, Outer Southwest, Charles Reef, and around Sachem’s Head. Don’t give up on the S’s, particularly when more bait schools are in close.
Snapper blues in the four- to six-inch range are in, but more important, bluefish in the 12- to 15-pound class have been feeding on the recent schools of bunker. That, in part, is what has been responsible for the increased movement of baitfish and is creating more top water activity. Rips around Six Mile, Crane’s, Kimberly, Faulkner’s, Long Sand Shoal, and The Beacon have seen some of those blitzes. Jigging, chunking, and trolling ‘brella rigs have been doing well.
Scup sizes have taken a dip, but the action is still hot, both from shore and out on the reefs or humps. Simple setups dressed with seaworms or squid are catching all that is needed for the dinner table. It’s great family event and a popular way to introduce first-timers into saltwater fishing. Quality black sea bass still remain in 60 to 65 feet of water, with small ones in considerably less. Catches are still very good, but have relaxed a bit. Squid is the primary bait on a dressed or undressed hi-lo rig together with a weight commensurate with depth and current. Fluke catches are OK, but expect to work for anything close to a doormat. Shorts are the first to the hook unless fishing deep water with large offerings.
Bottom fish like sea robins, skate, and northern kingfish are definitely filling the gap and livening up the fishing experience. With Shark Week at hand, dogfish are in the spotlight and creating excitement and conversation all along the shoreline. Remember to release them safely.
Freshwater anglers are finding evening topwater bass fishing quite good. Early morning is requiring more work to break fish away from their cover and may require bumping a few stumps and working around the cabbage. Panfish and pickerel are far less complicated, as is fishing for carp and catfish. The cooler water and moderate flows in the rivers are giving trout fishers an extended window of opportunity since the recent rainfall and earlier drop in air temps.
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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