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Coastal Storms Wreak Havoc, But There is an Upside

Coastal areas all along New England have had their share of high winds and pounding surf. Although these conditions rattle shoreline residents and raise havoc with docks and moorings, they also energize local habitats by churning and cleaning the sea bottom, thereby releasing nutrients and re-charging the water with fresh oxygen. Along with the cold winter water temperatures, tidal rivers are also cleansed, resulting in a healthier environment for our spawning fish. You might say that these acts of nature are a silver lining in our major weather events—and it does not stop here.

One residual effect of that silver lining is that there are new opportunities that open up for our inshore fishers. As waves travel over high bottom contours and troughs, they build, break, and then recede. The result is a change in the shallower areas found along beaches and many other near-shore areas where fishers frequent. When a full moon coincides with one of these major weather events, it becomes more likely that a noticeable change will occur to the bottom.

So, how does this play out to a fisher? Shortly after the recent Winter Storm Riley, this fisher visited several fishing spots with a known contour at low tide. Some were along a beach, a few in bays, and one or two by sandbars. In each case, changes were encountered—some very key and others slight.

One location, in particular, had recently received a load of dredge material that extended the shallow slope. Some of that shifted and new cuts developed, whereby baitfish could exit as the tide ebbed. Knowing that, in addition to recalling the location of that cut in the future, would certainly increase the chances of a hookup since a striped bass, for example, would most likely be waiting at the end of that escape route.

In another case, the very tip of a sandbar shifted, leaving a dip where there previously was none. Adjusting your cast and retrieve, or even a drift, could make all the difference by either hooking up or assuming that a spot that had usually been productive was not that day. Without that knowledge, it could be a very long morning.

One fairly shallow bay had a hump replaced by a deep hole—a predator’s heaven. Sand along one of its beaches also shifted, piling up on one side and indicating that the bottom underwent a change, as well. Normal wave action over time shapes inshore bottoms. Extremely rough seas does so even more and a lot quicker. These changes should shape how one fishes since it shapes how a fish forages or seeks shelter. Knowing what the bottom consists of or how it changed will indicate to a fisher what best to use and how to use it. While a shallow running lure might have been appropriate in the past, a deep runner may be now the key. By paying attention to the bottom and realizing that it’s susceptible to change, a fisher can get the upper hand, or at least level the playing field.

On the Water

The recent Worm Full Moon caused higher than normal tides and brought in a deluge of rain that saw river levels soar and flows rip. Long Island Sound churned under the thumb of Winter Storm Riley with winds gusting to 60 knots and waves exceeding six feet. Afterwards, conditions wavered—one day spouting gusts to 40 knots and high seas and, the next day, calm as could be with seas less than one foot. All the while, inshore water temperatures warmed to 42 degrees and continued to slowly climb, creating intermittent fishing opportunities. Now, we brace ourselves for Winter Storm Quinn, which is slated to bring more snow, but be less severe.

It’s no secret that striped bass have been moving in and out of the Sound throughout the winter months to take advantage of herring runs. Recently, some of our holdovers have turned the corner and been feeding along the immediate shore. Casting swimmers, soft plastics, and small jigs to the cuts and drop offs have resulted in fish to 34 inches. Those early spring fishers venturing up the key tidal rivers have worked their course and been into numbers of small linesiders, including fish in the 40-inch range.

This activity may seem early, however, it’s the water temperature that these fish react to. Right about now, there are enough warm pockets of water to get their mojo working. These stripers adapt well and so it’s no problem at all for them to move through water columns of varying temperatures. Now is the time to get in on some early spring striped bass fishing!

Except for the catch and release areas and the Trout Management Lakes (TMLs), all stocked areas are closed until opening day of trout season, which is on Saturday, April 14. These open areas were quite productive prior to the heavy rain due to some preseason stocking and, by now, levels and flows ought to be quite fish-able. Lakes Quonnipaug, Amos, and Rogers are among the TMLs that have received a recent stocking of trout. Sources indicate that the long touted 2018 Trout and Salmon Stamp will be released for sale any day now. If you fish for either one of these species, you will need to purchase a stamp at Captain Morgan’s or any other authorized agent.

Lakes and ponds that aren’t stocked with trout or otherwise stated are fishable year-round. There continues to be activity with multiple species, including perch, pickerel, bass, and catfish. Key rivers have also been producing white perch and periodic catches of northern pike.

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 clam supplies, 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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