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08/24/2017 12:00 AMOnce a year, fishers gather to celebrate the end of August and the coming of Labor Day one week later. Although there is plenty of fishing ahead, those who hold the fishing rod dear and love the gut-wrenching fight of a bluefish will congregate during this time to fish the Big Pond for these surgically precise predators.
Many feel that this is only a prelude to the Sound’s waters being filled with fish that had the opportunity to fatten up all season. From here on in, most of the fishery will continue to feed and gain weight, taking full advantage of the menhaden, squid, butterfish, silversides, and whatever else is below them in the food chain. Fatter, bigger fish bode well for the angler’s urge to catch a prize, as well as put some food on the table.
The only fish typically kept are the ones aimed for consumption. Even those caught in tournaments today wind up as food for somebody. More often than not, the rest are released unharmed, save for some unfortunate bycatch and those that succumbed in the process.
While this time may spotlight Pomatomus saltatrix (bluefish), we cannot cast a shadow on the striped bass fishery. Perhaps being less conspicuous, but nevertheless primed to ambush a meal, Morone saxatilis (striped bass), the popular linesider, will react and respond to all the chum and fish bites that are flowing. It is during this weekend that some of the cows will come out of hiding and invariably cause a stir. For example, a drop in temperature in the early morning would be the type of catalyst that could invoke such a response.
Whether you’re participating in a tournament or just out to catch some fish this weekend, it would be a good idea to keep rods rigged for both bluefish and striped bass. Chances are that the spot you’re fishing will hold both species, who will take an interest in the same bait, but not necessarily the same lure. If you are in it to win it, then good luck. If not, have a great day fishing.
On the Water
A mix of weather conditions consisting of clouds, rain, wind, and sunshine recently permeated the shoreline. Air temperatures ranged from the high 50s to the low 90s, creating some foggy conditions on the water and periodic choppy seas. With the exception of bait schools that moved in and out, the weather did little to slow down the fishing in the 73-degree inshore waters.
Scup fever was caught by many fishers as these scrappy saltwater panfish swarmed almost every available reef, rock pile, and hump. They grabbed squid, clams, worms, and even a few jigs that came their way. This is one fish that will put a smile on young fisher, while planting one on the mentor next to it. Small black sea bass most likely shared the limelight, unless you were fishing deeper water around 70 feet, where fish in the four- to five-pound range resurfaced again, but not in large numbers.
Snapper blues are on the feed with the coming tide. Whether using poppers, shiners, or small flashy spoons, they are being aggressive. Even fly rodders are hooking up with small streamers or a similar type fly. Eight-inchers are becoming quite common. Most harbors, tidal inlets, and coves are experiencing this action. Small blues to seven pounds are being caught, although much larger fish are being hooked on live bait, fresh chunks, diamond jigs, and trolling setups.
Fluke catches have grown a bit with doormats to 10 pounds being caught a little more often. Fish approaching that weight have been feeding closer to shore, being drawn in by the snappers as they enter the harbors and tidal rivers. Bottom fishers have been most successful with rigs, bucktails, squid, and scented baits. The rest of the bottom fish crew, such as sea robins, sharks, and northern kingfish, are continuing to eat up a storm.
Striped bass activity is keeping pace with August. A few fish more than 30 pounds have been caught, but it’s mostly smaller fish inshore and on the popular shoreline reefs. Prior to the weekend and its stormy beginning, Atlantic menhaden came in fairly thick to some harbors as most stripers headed out into deeper water. For those fishers active in the bait scene, they saw the presence of butterfish in the Sound. Good sign for this week’s bluefish tourney. Catches, though, have been mainly on live eels, menhaden, and chunks. Bucktails, diamond jigs, and deep runners have produced numbers of fish from Six Mile to Faulkner’s, Outer Thimbles, and several of the inshore reefs.
Deadline
Friday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. is the deadline to register at the shop for the WICC bluefish tourney and Captain Morgan’s piggyback contest. If you’ll be on the water anyway, you might as well take a shot at the $25,000 grand prize, plus the numerous other cash prizes offered. If not, it’s a good excuse to gather up family and friends and have some fun.
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 licenses, 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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