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09/21/2017 12:00 AMEven though Connecticut’s scenic shore is dotted with luxurious homes, inviting restaurants, and special hideaways, it also features a craggy coastline. It may not have the sheer rock cliffs that some locations boast, but there are so many nooks and crannies left over from the ice age that a fisher doesn’t have to look far before comfortably settling into one. It is in one of those nooks and crannies caressing a flood tide that a carefully placed striped bass plug could hopefully subdue a prize.
From the middle of September through October is the time of year that the hunt for a memorable fish begins. It’s not that fishing for them is less dramatic than at any other time, but now, the fish are concentrating on bulking up for their southerly journey. The water temperature is telling them that it’s time to start moving. Their food supply is also getting a similar message as they begin to head south and school tighter.
Meanwhile, fishers are receiving messages, too. Texts are coming in from their buddies, weather alerts are popping up in windows, and one can see the nervous water as schools of Atlantic menhaden attempt to avoid the unavoidable. Here, tucked into one of those nooks and crannies, a lonely angler makes a cast. He or she lets the plug rest at ease before imparting a slight twitch. It rests again. The ripples dissipate. Another twitch and it’s time to fish on.
The rod does not go unnoticed by a passer-by who does a 180 and heads for the spot. With too many rocks to compete against a much smaller vessel, he or she is forced to lay in wait and helplessly watch while coming up empty. Soon, the passer-by departs after seeing one last striper caught and released. Yes, Connecticut offers some excellent inshore fishing this time of year and, if one is fortunate enough to hit one of those special spots at the right tide, then it could turn out to be an event to remember. Just watch your bottom, whether it’s your feet or your hull!
On the Water
Once the stormy weather settled down, air temperatures moderated in the high 70s before cooling down to the upper 50s after dark. Days battled the wind as higher-than-normal surf conditions for this time of year prevailed, giving pause to jetty casters and small boaters. At the same time, inshore water temperatures maintained their 69- to 71-degree range that seems to suit the fishery just fine.
Striped bass were generally more active and reacted with less hesitation as they took note of the variety of baits tossed in their direction. After all, the fall run is in its infancy and the dinner bell is calling to fatten them up even more. Stripers have been spread throughout rocky structures of the shoreline with some in water that barely covered their dorsal fins. At times, it was bunker that got the nod; other times, a live eel caught their attention, and, in some instances, a carefully worked plug scored a hit. Reefs and shoals such as Faulkner’s, Charles, Long Sand, and the inner Beacon also saw action, as well.
Choppers have been slashing whole fish and taking many hooked ones just behind the gill plates. It’s bluefish season and, although some bunker schools remain unthreatened, they provide many blues with omega-rich protein. By now, many rips are being visited by prowling bluefish. In cases like this, chunk or whole baits will definitely work, although the thrill for most fishers comes when a top water plug is annihilated or a spoon is grabbed boat side.
Activity is not limited to the larger predators. Porgies have been sizable and catches good on seaworms, clams, and squid. Simple rigs are continuing to produce fish, adding to one’s table fare. Both reef and shore fishing are up throughout the Sound. Black sea bass catches are similar, except that many undersized fish are making a stab at a meal. Larger hooks and deeper water will discourage some of that and often reward a fisher with heftier fish. Take note that fluke season ends on Thursday, Sept. 21, but leading up to that date, several of these summer flounder will fall prey to a hook as they feed on snapper and spearing.
There are more hickory shad coming into the tidal rivers, a slight increase in blue crab catches, and certainly quality catches of snapper blues. These snappy critters are still liking lures, snapper poppers, and shiners, providing fun for the entire family on flood tides. Even though water temperatures are slowly dropping, dogfish, sea robins, and other bottom fish are scurrying around for food and getting hooked in the process.
Look for fresh water fishing to steadily improve. Trout stocking is progressing in the Trout Management Areas, rivers, and lakes. The basses are biting in all lakes, ponds, and key rivers. Bottom fish are taking stinky baits, pickerel are aggressive, more fishers are tangling with northerns, and panfish such as perch, crappie, and sunnies have been quite active.
Coming Soon
Blackfish season opens on Tuesday, Oct. 10, and the 29th annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tournament will run from Saturday, Oct. 14 through Saturday, Oct. 21, culminating with a fantastic VFW banquet at Fireman’s Field in Guilford, with the venue donated by its commission. There will be cash awards, trophies, great raffle prizes, a cool T-shirt, super food dishes, and a keg all for $40. You can’t beat it!
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 reel repairs, 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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