Printer Friendly Version - Stripers in the Snow

Holdover striped bass have a history of being caught throughout the winter, as illustrated by this 36-pound, 41-inch prize caught by Sidney Johnson back in January of 1958. Photo courtesy of Spike Webb

The winter of 2018 will always be remembered as the one that could have developed, but never really had the staying power—at least not in our state. Here we are in February and we’re still bouncing from 20-degree air temperatures one day to near 60-degree temps and dry pavement a couple of days later. Sure, we’ve had some cold days and a few bouts of snow, but nothing of any consequence. We’ve gone back and forth with rain, sleet, wind, angry seas, and dense fog, while air temperatures fluctuated. However, once again, these episodes were brief in the grand scheme of things.

We still have March left to rear its typical attitude, although something really strange would have to happen to change the direction that this so-called winter is heading. The fishing scene throughout the area has reflected this unusual pattern. There has probably been more soft water fishing than hard, yet that depends on where you live.

Trout and salmon rivers had some outstanding stretches of activity. In many cases, the cold waters were at near optimum flows and levels. Fish remained in their holes, rarely stepping out for a bite. Sometimes, the banks were snow covered and the rivers’ edges were ice-crusted. A few days later, the same area was either hard and bare or muddy like it would be in early spring.

Remaining rather quiet and unobtrusive, our extremely popular striped bass fishery still continues to feed and move about, but just not quite as much. With these multiple swings in the weather, stripers have been caught in snowy conditions, as well as all the other conditions this season has given us. Most of the activity has been relegated to the key tidal rivers, however, these linesiders will occassionaly duck into the Sound in pursuit of food.

Striped bass (Marone saxatilis) are a hardy fish and can tolerate a wide temperature range, preferring 55- to 68 degrees. As the water temperature drops to 44 and below, catches fall off. However, a fisher can find them schooled in colder water since these fish hold over during the winter months. With its ever-changing barometric pressures, this abnormal season is keeping fishers on their toes, but is also offering some unusual opportunities. One thing to keep in mind is that a female striper (mostly those more than 15 pounds) has the potential of producing a million eggs each spring for every 10 pounds of body weight.

We have 38-degree waters and are gradually climbing the saltwater staircase of warmer temperatures—dense fog, too. A little higher, a few degree drops, and then back up again. It’s the reverse of late fall with a little touch of spring air, although we still have to conquer March. When taking this jagged weather path into consideration, we probably should expect a few more skirmishes, but probably no major, long-lasting battles.

Locally, ice fishing has pretty much evaporated, leaving hole punchers to travel farther north. With the exception of the Trout Management Areas and the Wild Trout Managements Areas, most trout fishing will close at the end of February, leaving only the Trout Management Lakes open to fishing through the end of March. With the fairly mild weather refusing to let up, river fishing for trout has been a good option and one that’s recently been running a productive streak.

Lakes and ponds compromised by the rain and warm weather still have the same fish with the same eating habits. As these waters turn more liquid, fishing them should be fished either by slow jigging and even slower retrieves. Water temperatures are down and that, in turn, slows down metabolic rates, the feeding, and the speed by which lures will be taken. Oxygen levels are also important and so fishing the correct depth is critical. All in all, now is the time to keep it slow and low.

With most of the tidal river coves free of ice, yellow perch fishing is taking hold. Live baits on light jigs are hooking up with respectable fish. Known as quality table fare, they are almost as easy to clean as catch. Whether skillet-fried, baked, stewed, or made into a perch chowder, fresh yellow perch has proven time and again to be a winter fish favorite to both catch and eat.

For the striped bass enthusiasts who cannot wait for the season to spring wide open, it is not too early to make some casts. The key tidal rivers have come alive with linesiders that are going on a feeding spree. Is it here to stay or just an in-between weather event? Either way, imitation herring soft plastics and loaded swimmers are catching hungry February stripers. This is not that unusual, considering that holdover bass are regularly caught through the ice. So when the ice breaks apart and water temps rise a bit, expect action to pick up. If the winter itch has you scratching, then pick up a rod and give it whirl.

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 fishing trips, 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...

Stripers caught in snowy weather and varying in size are not as unusual as one might think. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan