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11/01/2017 12:00 AMOne of the results from the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission’s 76th annual meeting, in conjunction with the Tautog Management Board, is to manage blackish (tautog) regionally instead of coastwide. Long Island Sound is now designated as its own region, whereas Rhode Island and Massachusetts (MARI), New Jersey and New York Bight (NJ-NYB), and Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia make up the other three regions.
Amendment 1 delineates the stock into those four regions due to differences in biology and fishery characteristics. It also includes new management goals and objectives, biological reference points, fishing mortality targets, and stock rebuilding schedules. All regions except MARI are overfished and overfishing is currently occurring in LIS and NJ-NYB. This means that LIS and NJ-NYB would be required to take harvest reductions in 2018, according to the 2016 stock assessment. MARI and DelMarVa need only to propose regional management measures.
Under the amendment, all regions will implement measures to achieve the regional fishing mortality target of at least 50 percent probability. Those decisions will be left up to the regions, but if the mortality exceeds the threshold, corrective action must be taken by the board within one year.
Additionally, a commercial tagging program will be established for 2019 to address an unreported, undocumented, and illegal fishery. This effort is in response to illegally harvested fish by fishers, fish houses, retail markets, and restaurants. Tags will be applied by “commercially-permitted harvesters” at harvest or prior to offloading, and ‘togs must be caught in the state identified on the tag. Time will tell if these new and improved management measures will benefit the fishery, but based on available science, it appears this proactive approach is a step in the right direction.
On the Water
Skies finally opened up and the much needed rain came down. There were small gale warnings that churned the Sound and muddied tidal rivers, but that lasted only for the turn of a few tides. Surprisingly, inshore water temperatures rose a degree to 67 and, with all the turmoil, there were little signs of the fishery dispersing.
A nice run of 40- to 50-pound striped bass poked into the Sound for a look-see. Actually, more than a peek, since peanut bunker dumped from the rivers and a swath of sand eels also made their way in, adding spice to the menu. These big gals didn’t take anything away from the omnipresent schoolies—many of which attacked small poppers and swim baits with a vengeance. October is usually a good month for live eels and they didn’t disappoint, either. Expect the bass to move with the bait and, discounting the weather, they will be found on both inshore and offshore reefs, as well as along the beaches and adjacent tidal rivers.
Albie and bonito fishing have been outstanding. Whether tossing metals or soft plastics, or whipping a fly rod while dodging the wind, hookups ranged from one end of the Sound to the other. Even beach casters found solid fishing as these speedsters ran the troughs and jetties. If the rough weather didn’t upset schools of baitfish, it certainly wouldn’t dampen these forked-tailed devils that relish this fall weather. Fluorocarbon leaders are a good addition, however, these fish have been taking unorthodox lures regardless of terminal rigging.
Bluefish continue to bend rods throughout the Sound, whether casting, trolling, chunking, or diamond jigging. Choppers are now a good double-digit size and are both hungry and competitive for food. Best to keep a long nose pliers or hook-out handy, otherwise you may find you and your mate’s hands all tied up. These fish are showing no preference to the reefs or the shoreline as long as food is available. Whether it’s Faulkner’s, the inshore reefs like Cranes and Charles, or the harbors, if the bunker and schools of shad are in, the blues will not be far behind.
Still looking for black sea bass and scup? Both are taking a variety of baits, including squid and worms. However, stick with the squid and hit the deep water to avoid the scrappers in favor of the slabs. Check out outer Southwest Reef for big porgies and the 100-foot wrecks for humpbacks. The season on both runs through the end of the year.
By all rights, tautog should be laying claim to most of the recent headlines. However, that is not necessarily so this season, considering the warm water temperatures and abundance of food. Although these popular fish of Long Island Sound are overfished and in a state of overfishing, the numbers reported caught might cause one to pause. Fishing for these bulldogs has been rather brisk if one were not to consider the scant numbers of ‘togs caught more than 10 pounds. Most reefs, rock piles, and jetties from eight to 25 feet have been holding fish. They have been on the move! Crabs and jigs or rigs are catching 90 percent of the fish.
Primetime fall fishing is occurring throughout the inland waterways. Trout waters are up and flows have improved, signaling that stocking has resumed. Conventional and fly fishing is scoring in the Trout Management Areas and open waters. The bite is on in the lakes, ponds, and other key rivers. Basses working weed lines and dropoffs are taking live baits and artificials; pan fish, black crappie, and yellow perch are biting baits, flies, and artificials; northerns are into live baits and spinners, walleye are actively circling the depths and shallows, bottom feeders like carp, and catfish have not been too picky, but are preferring fish and stink baits. Creativity pays off!
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 permits, 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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