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08/10/2017 12:00 AMIt is peak fishing season, even though there is the occasional whiff of a waning summer in the air. Offshore, the Labrador Current meets with the Gulf Stream, energizing a feeding frenzy where sharks and tuna fatten up before water temperatures dip, forcing them to head for warmer waters. With gear double- and triple-checked, it’s stowed with the bait and chum before crews have a final captain’s meeting. Up to the last moment, fishers gather as much data on the breaks prior to heading out with hopes of returning with a prize.
To some, an offshore fishing trip to Butterfish, the Fish Tails, or as far as Veatch Canyon can be a once-in-a-lifetime event. To others, it can be as routine as going to work. The ride out is full of anticipation. The return trip can sport high-flying flags or contain a cockpit full of green faces. Regardless, there will be a story to tell, whether it’s filled with wild runs, roped tails, or near misses.
On calm days, the ride out can be uneventful or even boring until a whale breeches or a pod of dolphins is observed. Soon off in the distance there is what appears to be a small city on the horizon. It is actually a fleet—a group of vessels with the same goal, which is to hook into and land a tuna or shark.
Closer to shore, we generally swap cranking diesels for much smaller vessels sporting outboards. Fishing Long Island Sound requires less travel, simpler gear, and, usually, a more diversified approach. This time of year there are more different species grouped together in a confined area, unlike the vast open waters of offshore. However, the challenges remain, and the rewards are similar.
The Sound is teaming with fish, and one has no need to hoist their 50s and 80s on board to take advantage of them. Sure, there are drag-burners swimming around out there, but there are also the lightweights that are fun to catch and delicious to eat. Bottom line: We are in the midst of a fishing season that has such a diverse population of fish to catch, that recreational enjoyment can be experienced by all who love to be on or near the water.
On the Water
Although inshore water temperatures have fluctuated between low to the mid 70s and rainfall has had a cooling effect, fishing has remained good. Even as rough seas pounded the shoreline, it did little to dissuade the bite. The Full Sturgeon Moon also had its effect on the fishing, causing tides to rise above normal and then washing food downriver as it fell.
The striper bite softened as to the bigger fish, although plenty of linesiders to 32 inches are feeding by the inshore reefs and harbor inlets. Whether fresh bait like eels and bunker, chunks, or artificials are being used, a realistic chance of a hookup can be anticipated by the experienced fisher. Drifters and trollers have been seeing mixed catches, especially on longer drifts and trolls. Plugging at night around structure or inlets has resulted in some larger fish being caught, some of which favored kayakers and boarders because of their ability to fish in tight. Faulkner, Charles, Six Mile, and the outer Thimbles are a few spots that gave up fish.
Young, feeding humpback whales are now competing with bluefish for what menhaden are available. Although blues are spread throughout the Sound, much of the feeding whales are currently concentrated in the western sector. Expect the choppers to continue to move about and, similarly, fishers should keep an eye open for bunker schools and move about. Keep a topwater lure handy since schools of feeding blues are popping up indiscriminately at the reefs.
Scup are still rallying, and limits continue to be caught if one chooses. Activity along the shoreline and throughout Sound waters is quite good as these tasty scappers reluctantly make their way from the reefs to the table. Rarely refusing a portion of squid, clam, or worm, these are one of the best ways of introducing young fishers to marine fishing.
Sea bass of any quality still remain on deep water structure, but the throwbacks are all over the immediate shoreline and shallower reefs. Squid remains the top bait, however, no respectable sea bass will turn its mouth away from almost anything that will fit into it. A small increase in quality fluke catches have been occurring near shore, in the harbors, and lower tidal rivers. Small fishes like spearing, sand eels, and mullet rigged as teasers or on jigs, in addition to three-way and hi-lo rigs, are generating keeper catches. Some of the offshore reefs like Six Mile and spots like Cinder Bottom have also been kind to drifters. Rounding off the bottom dwellers are an array of small common sharks that are taking sizable chunks.
The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection is taking public comment that can be submitted via its website by using the eregulations.ct.gov system regarding the establishment of both a trout and Atlantic salmon stamp, in addition to the regular required license. The trout stamp ($5) and salmon stamp ($10) could be purchased separately or together ($12) at a savings of $3. They would be mandatory when fishing the Trout Management and Broodstock areas or when harvesting these fish from waters stocked, at no expense to Connecticut. Public comment will be taken until 4:30 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 25.
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 the latest gear, 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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