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A close-up look at what an all-out New England false albacore blitz looks like. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

There is bait piling up in Long Island Sound and we all know what that means. From schools of peanut and adult menhaden to overgrown shiners, fish are taking notice. At times, sluiceways and bays have turned into boiling cauldrons as small striped bass turned into eating machines, taking advantage of favorable tides and ideal ambush points.

In many cases, bluefish have been the principle instigators by driving those schools in from the Big Pond. Not going unnoticed, fluke are also joining in on this bait bounty, while a few of their favorites like peanuts and snapper blues attempt to escape their toothy jaws—mostly to no avail. Although many of these fish turn out to be on the short side of the legal limit, a chunky keeper will still surprise a fisher who may have hooked a fighting snapper.

We are sensing the gradual change in weather and fishes’ response to it. Even juvenile humpback whales that are attracted to all of the Block Island and Montauk feeding activity have appeared to increase their consumption. Periodically, they have been unexpectedly spotted by fishers as their backs break the surface and they inch their way south.

And while the motor of change drives this feeding activity, fishers wait patiently. The northern New England states will be the first ones to witness the bite and then we in southern New England will have our shot. Any interruption by unsettled weather aside, everything points to an extended fall that’s full of good fishing.

Are those albies or bonito by the distant shore, swooshing over the rips and chowing down on anchovies? Are they blues? The birds are high-spotting whatever is down below and everything is about right for them to appear. Fishers who accustomed to this time of year, including this ol’ salt, are on edge and scanning the horizon for clues of a run—any run. This scenario is common right about now as intense fishing is on the verge of a breakthrough.

While we mentally anticipate what could be a very cold and snowy winter, for now, this is a very distant thought considering we are still in peak hurricane season. However, that doesn’t matter. The run is on the forefront. Will it sneak in and slip out with little fanfare or will it be a frontal assault? That remains to be seen.

We went from another heat spell to a cool-down to 55 degrees with wet weather in between. Prior to that, air and water temperatures had been above normal for this time of year, prompting some fish and fishers to take a breather. Mid-sound surface temps hit 78 degrees, while inshore tidal rivers broke the 80s again. There were several hazy and foggy days that seemed to pull August weather into September. Nevertheless, fishing cranked up!

Schoolie striped bass were stacked, totally outnumbering larger fish, although a few 50 pounders were caught. There was plenty of catch and release action using light gear both on and off shore as bass took live eels, chunks, and a variety of artificials. There is little doubt that fish are starting to stir as bunker schools have thickened and stripers have increased their feeding, especially in eastern Long Island Sound.

There has also been an uptick in the bluefish bite. A few larger ones have shown up in central Sound, but most of those fish are still situated farther east with some to the west. Bird activity also became more evident and, as this month develops, fish should begin to frenzy. Check out the rips around Faulkner’s and most of the reefs, especially when a good incoming tide sweeps baitfish over them. Snappers keep growing and are having a run!

The bottom fishery has far from bottomed out. Porgy (scup) are into their pre-fall mode and are typically biting on worms, clams, and squid. Find structure almost anywhere in the Sound and you will find varying schools of porgies. Fish the popular reefs first and, if enough tide is left, seek out new territory for some unexpected fun. Fluke in the six- to seven-pound range appear to have been the good ones for the week caught on squid, spearing, or select gulp baits. With the water temps as warm as they are, a variety of inshore bottom fish, like sharks, sea robins, puffers, and rudder fish continue to be caught on the normal bottom baits. Blackfish (tautog) season reopens on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Albies and bonito have been working the Rhode Island coast and should be popping into Long Island Sound. Considering all the bait around, the conditions are right. They are also right for blue crabs in the estuaries with jimmies in the six- to seven-inch range and better.

Lakes and ponds are seeing good largemouth action with some smallies getting into the act. Pickerel perked up, catfish are biting, better perch activity, some trolling walleye catches, light pike action, and sunnies are smashing everything. Best trout action is in the main, cooler, oxygenated rivers.

Final registration date to get in on the second annual Fishing Against Cancer Catch & Release Tournament, which takes place at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14. Prizes for three longest striper, bluefish, fluke, and sea bass. Contact Brewer Pilot’s Point Marina in Westbrook at 860-388-0788 for more information.

Dates for the 30th annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tourney are set. The tournament will begin on Saturday, Oct. 13 with the final weigh-in on Saturday, Oct. 20. The banquet will be held at the newly renovated Guilford VFW. More details to follow.

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 fly fishing, 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...

This humpback whale, feeding heavily between Block Island and Montauk on its slow trip to Caribbean waters, was spotted by Bill Cummings on an epic striper, sea bass, and fluke trip. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan