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09/27/2018 12:00 AMThere is a lot of pent-up energy that fishers have bottled up as a result of the quirkiness of this season. Although fishing has been good overall, it’s been on-again, off-again due to sets of uncontrollable circumstances—some of which are weather related—that have put a crimp on the amount of time people have been able to spend on the water. With fall here and the run starting, fishers are looking to make the most out of what some consider the best fishing of the year. All that is needed is the main ingredient: a push into the Sound.
Striped bass are beginning their drive to feed hard and gobble up as much protein as possible for their seasonal jaunt south. Bluefish, for as many as there are, are doing the same. Rivers will soon be emptying schools of baitfish for these predators to intercept, and fishers will be close by to intercept them from their appointed task. In less than two weeks, blackfish (tautog) season will be open and there will be an all-out effort to gather crabs to be fished on jigs and rigs.
If there is fishing blood your veins, then you simply cannot miss the fall season. It is one of the last times for fishers to feel the briny on their hands and faces, to experience fighting a fish in the North Atlantic (excluding cod, haddock, and pollack, of course), and filling the empty space in the home freezer. There will probably be more fishing time put on the water during the relatively short stretch of time between now and Thanksgiving simply because of what part four of the fishing season has to offer.
It is a time to bond with friends, nature, water, and fish—or whatever. It is a time for that knuckle-busting run of an albie or the feel of a heavy striper and the splash of its tail when it hits the water upon release. Ask a half-dozen fishers why they fish, and you will probably get six different logical answers. Personally, for this salt, I’m just wired that way. It’s in my DNA and flows through my veins.
On the Water
The weather broke prior to the weekend and just in time to usher in the first day of fall, which fell on Sept. 22. The break from the rain was welcomed, but not as much as the improvement of the fishing conditions. Seas reacted to shifts in wind conditions under early morning red skies, while Long Island Sound water temperatures remained around 74 degrees.
There was a marked hike in the striped bass bite, especially during the Harvest Moon in and around inshore. Schools of Atlantic menhaden seemed to multiply, thus creating opportunities for fishers along the shoreline beaches and bays. Schoolie bass provided most of the action, falling for a variety of artificial lures and bait, including sea worms, live eels, and bunker. Many of these bass swam with the tides into the rivers, working the bait schools from prime ambush spots like bends, creek outflows, or bottom structure. Hickory shad can be found in the rivers, along with some good blue crabbing.
The inshore reefs and shoals showed an uptick of activity, especially during flood tides. Live eels and bucktails worked effectively in spots like Kelsey Point, Hammonasset, Charles Reef, Faulkner’s north rip, Brown’s, and Jeris. Typically, Six Mile, Inner and Outer Southwest, Goose Island, and The Beacon had intermittent activity.
Although the consistently riveting blitz action has yet to materialize, there are more bluefish showing up throughout the Sound. Not the brutes, however. Action has been sporadic, but heavy at times, when the bunker schools were pursued. Top water plugs and flashy spoons have been the go-to lures, while umbrella rigs and bait have been effective down below. Birds and rip lines have been the key indicators as to any feeding in the area. Fishers will find a few weakfish showing up in the mix, while they are keeping an eye out for any peek-a-boo albie and bonito activity. In the meantime, take advantage of the snapper bluefish action all along the shoreline.
Only a few more days and it will be the last weekend to fish for summer flounder (fluke) as the season shuts down on Monday, Oct. 1. As the water temperatures dip, these fish will be heading out, although some may still hang around if water temperatures remain warm. Fishing in mid-Sound waters in 60-plus feet during an ebb tide will give you the best chance at a doormat. Black sea bass of any reasonable size will also be found in even deeper water, but searching for them will be the obstacle to overcome. On the other hand, the rest of the inshore bottom fishery, such as sharks and sea robins, are doing well.
One can always count on the freshwater scene cranking up when it becomes sweatshirt time. Largemouths are showing hunger, smallies are feeding better, pickerel are back to being aggressive (pike not so much), catfish are biting, walleyes have picked up the pace, crappie and yellow perch are being caught, sunnies are feeding, and some white perch are taking worms. Improved water levels and cooler temps should mean better fall trout fishing.
‘Tog Tourney
Captain Morgan’s is now accepting registrations for the ever popular 30th annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tournament that will be held from Saturday, Oct. 13 through Saturday, Oct. 20. Prizes, surprises, and good food to follow at the awards banquet, which is returning to the Guilford VFW following its full renovation. Come join in on a fun-filled week!
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 flies, 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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