This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Outlook for the 2018 Black Sea Bass Season

The detailed and science-based appeal presented by Dr. David Pierce to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission/Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board (ASMFC/ISFMP) on the Addendum XXX ruling, specifically regarding the black sea bass mandatory 12-percent reduction in harvest for the 2018 season, has prevailed. The ISFMP then directed the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board to approve the regulations for 2018 as presented.

Leading up to the appeal, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner, Basil Seggos, had been directed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to make sure that fishers shouldn’t suffer as a result of federal regulations seeking to limit a fishery that’s considered healthy.

“We think the science is with us,” Seggos stated.

The crux of the issue is that in our region, black sea bass populations have increased substantially in an already healthy stock, yet regulations are mandating deep cuts. The successful appeal—which elaborated on temperature-based stock movement to the north, the omission of data not yet available at the time, and also offered acceptable alternative measures—means that a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration backstop will not have to be implemented.

Now that the northern states’ appeal to Addendum XXX has come to a successful conclusion, it is time to ask the question: What does this black sea bass season have in store for fishers? It is known that the class of fish from 2011 is a strong one and that the overall biomass is healthy, not over-fished, and that over-fishing is not occurring. We also know that during the past few years, Long Island Sound has been experiencing banner years harvesting these fish, as have other northern states.

A movement of this species northward has been taking place, mostly due to warming waters of the mid-Atlantic. The reefs have become stacked with humpbacks, while inshore, the bays have been seeing the results of successful spawning. In fact, it has been said that, “It takes longer to run out and set up than it takes to limit out.” There is no doubt that an abundance of black sea bass is in the Sound—more than we have ever seen in years past.

Sooner or later, the movement north will even out and, if we are not careful, we can fall into a management fiasco. We have been blessed with a great fishery in this marine grouper, Centropristis striata, and what we need to do from here on in is carefully monitor this stock. In the real world, even the best sculptors will see their works crumble under inferior clay.

Good science and good data lead to better management and that, in turn, ultimately leads to better fishing. Although we’ve seen a slight dip in the numbers of really large sea bass caught, it’s not as though alarms are ringing. We need more biological research to determine growth rates, age, male-to-female sex change effects (protogynous hermaphrodites), and habitat determination. This season, expect to see high numbers of Long Island Sound fish in the 15- to 16-inch range with some exceptional humpback catches made in the range of 22- to 24 inches and in excess of five pounds. Incidentally, the world record of 10 pounds, 4 ounces was caught in 2000 in Virginia, from where fish are now moving north.

On the Water

After a blast of summer-like weather nearing 80 degrees, we returned to normal spring conditions of around 65 degrees, dipping into the 50s overnight. Inshore Long Island Sound water temperatures remained in the low 50s, slowly trending upward, before jumping to 54 degrees. Seas calmed down compared to the previous week, allowing for a few more smaller vessels to hit the fishing spots taking advantage of the spring migration.

Atlantic menhaden, along with the shad and river herring runs (including white perch), are upon us as the striped bass bite keeps picking up steam. Schoolie bass continue to offer excellent light gear fishing, along with 29-inch bass and ones in the 36- to 40-inch range that are filtering into the Sound. Action along the immediate shoreline has been good, including harbors and lower tidal rivers. Several of the inshore reefs hold transitioning linesiders as they move into the Sound from both the western and eastern sectors.

Recreational porgy (scup) and fluke (summer flounder) seasons are now open. The Connecticut regulations on porgy are 30 fish at nine inches, while fluke are four fish at 19 inches—both relaxed from the 2017 season. Black sea bass will open in Connecticut on Saturday, May 19 to five fish at inches through the end of the year. New York will open its season to three fish at 15 inches from Saturday, June 23 to Friday, Aug. 31 and seven fish at 15 inches from Saturday, Sept. 1 until the end of the year. Blackfish (tautog) limped to a wimpy close of its spring season as water temperatures remained too cold to bring most ‘togs in close.

There continues to be a decent run of weakfish not only through mid-Sound and by Faulkner’s, but also tighter to the immediate shoreline close to tidal river inlets. They have been taking mostly sea worms and bites of squid, while offshore, drifting jigs and weakie rigs near the bottom have been paying off. Keep an eye open for bluefish!

From sea trout to sweet water trout, the action is keeping pace. Although lakes are warming, they are still lagging behind trout catches in the rivers and management areas. There, catches have been fairly steady across the species. Still not showing too much preference, trout have been caught on scent baits, artificials, and naturals. With the temps getting warmer by the day, finesse is becoming part of the game. The basses, pickerel, perch, crappie and even carp have not been requiring as much in the way of presentation. Remember, selecting the right baits, as well as when and where to fish them, is still important.

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...

Tight Lines,

Captain Morgan

captainmorgan.fish@sbcglobal.net

captainmorgan-fish.blogspot.com

twitter @captmorgan_usa