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10/19/2017 12:00 AMThe anticipation is over. Blackfish (tautog) season has opened for the fall. Even though ‘togs were caught from shore during the warmer summer months, there was a question as to whether or not they would settle into their normal haunts due to the 67-degree water. After all, the ideal temperature range for these bottom fighters is 50- to 60 degrees and so it’s a bit warmer than they prefer, but still well within their tolerance.
Pre-fishing the 29th Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tourney netted ‘togs anywhere from three- to six pounds, with the occasional bulldog taking a bite and playing stubborn before rudely spitting the hook. A fish like that would, at times, hunker down and extend its pecks, but eventually relent or just free itself, leaving the fisher empty-handed. Considered masters at stealing bait, a ‘tog puller can be stripped by a practically undetectable nibble.
Tournament day started with overcast skies, periodic drizzle, easterlies, and 60-degree air temps. ‘Toggers loaded up the night before and early morning to catch the top end of the tide. Many fished through the early rain and bumpy seas before it let up by day’s end. Most fish in the three- to four-pound class were easily caught in 12-foot depths, but bigger ones around five- to seven pounds came from twice that depth. Scales were exceedingly busy as day one ended with the heaviest of 8.22 pounds caught by Steve Barron and the lightest of 2.33 pounds by Mike Barris. The twist is that the winners are determined by the combined weight of two heaviest fish weighed for the week.
Day two began with low visibility and developing southwest winds, leading to afternoon small craft warnings. During the early morning calm, high numbers of blackfish that came up just short were generally caught shallow, although much better fish were boated farther out. Wind and seas somewhat dampened the scale activity, however, that hardly halted an end-of-the-day rush. High and low weights remained unchanged, but a few six- to seven pound potential game-changers were caught in about eight feet.
On the Water
Warm 67-degree inshore Long Island Sound waters did not slow down the opening of fall blackfish season. Just prior, the skies unloaded much needed rain and, when it cleared, air temperatures stretched to near 80 degrees with fair conditions before turning sour again. Except for the warmth, October has been typically unpredictable.
The ‘tog bite saw fish up to 5l pounds falling to crabs, many of which barely made the 16-inch minimum size limit. Nevertheless, the opening two days were pleasant enough to draw a good showing of ‘tog pullers in small vessels to the walls, rock piles, and reefs. Crabs on simple hi-lo, three-way double rigs, or the ever-popular tog jigs kept rods bending during the surprising turn of events.
‘Togs weighed at the start of the blackfish tournament saw similar results over the weekend in spite of some showers and an increase in south winds. Fish remained in water from eight- to 12 feet, embedded in inshore reefs with most of the hefty white chins undoubtedly remaining in deeper water until temps drop a few degrees. Consider the breakwaters, Madison Reef, Goose Island, Kimberly Reef, and The Thimbles.
October fishing continues to unfold and reveal outstanding fishing opportunities. It’s just too good to turn away, keeping fishers and hunters on the water and out of the brush. Alligator bluefish to 15 pounds have been feeding along the shoreline, while tearing into schools of menhaden and shad. Lower tidal rivers, bays, and beaches have had hot blitzes. Trolling lures and umbrellas, casting spoons and plugs, drifting chunks or jigging metals have all caught the toothy critters even while fishing offshore. Whatever your pleasure, these bluefish have been up to the task. Keep your eyes peeled for the albie and bonito action. They are still feeding from eastern to western Sound. The same holds true for the fall run of weakfish and hickories. And blue crabbing is up!
Striped bass have also been showing their stripes. One need not search the deep water reefs unless a trip to The Race, Southwest, The Beacon, or waters around Faulkner’s is in the making. Linesiders over 40 pounds, as well as bass in their 20s and 30s, are in the mix, including those stretching to 28 inches. Prime baits have been live eels and bunker, while chunks, bucktails, and diamond jigs are hooking good fish. Plugging the shallows, rocky outcrops, and the banks have fooled more than one cow this season, especially near dawn and dusk and also after dark on the flood or the bottom of the ebb.
Scup pounders are still at it and pulling in quality fish. The shore bite is holding on, but if you are really after some big fish, hit the offshore reefs like Southwest, Charles, Kimberly, and Outer Crooked S. Black sea bass catches eased in favor of the ‘tog season, however, five-pound fish continue to be caught from the deep water reefs and other bottom structures like wrecks and humps. Squid continues to work with the scup and sea bass, although sandworms will grab some decent inshore porgies.
Trout rivers have been more active recently with native brookies, rainbows, and some browns caught. Rivers, streams, trout parks, lakes, and ponds have been recently stocked with more than 9,000 fish and, with the improved water levels and flows, trout fishing has a promising outlook for the immediate future. Also, 460 broodstock Atlantic salmon were stocked. Other species, such as large and smallmouth bass, black crappie, pickerel, northern pike, walleye, carp, catfish, perch, and sunnies, are into their fall feed.
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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