Printer Friendly Version - Blackfish Season Opens on Wednesday, Oct. 10

An Atlantic states fisheries conference was recently held in Savannah, Georgia. Among the guests who attended were Lt. Warren Fair, United States Coast Guard Living Marine Resources, and Sgt. Cindy Miller, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wild Resource Division. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

The way our seasons have been stretching out lately, fish have been hanging around longer. Nevertheless, October is not only known for The Run, but also hails all ‘tog pullers to prepare for the Battle of the Bulldogs. It is the last hurrah for most New England fishers to hit the briny and catch one of these challenging fish that are also a popular table food—a comfort food for seafarers.

These fish not only act and fight like a bulldog, they also have the grip and teeth of one. They also have their own unique personality, one that causes fishers to carry on conversations with them under their breath. It is their cunning way of stealing bait or grabbing hold of the bottom with their pecs that generates this kind of interaction.

To make things more interesting, multiple contests crop up in October as a further indication of their popularity. Shops throughout the shoreline will open their doors for such events. One such event, the annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tournament, is entering its 30th year and will run from Saturday, Oct. 13 through Saturday, Oct. 20.

Blackfish, or tautog (Tautoga otitis), from the Native American Taugtaug, is slowly growing and is considered overfished. As a result, the fall season daily limit has been reduced to three fish at 16 inches and runs from Wednesday, Oct. 10 through Wednesday, Nov. 28. However, inshore fishing should remain OK until water temperatures hit 52 to 53 degrees and these ‘togs go deeper.

On a recent Atlantic fisheries conference that I attended in Savannah, Georgia, one of the projects discussed and considered for funding had to do with developing an interactive mobile platform for the marine enforcement sector to assist in their living marine resources activities, including, in part, support in the reduction of overfishing.

The rains came and pounded Connecticut prior to the weekend, creating murky coffee-colored water that fed into Long Island Sound. Fish do not like those conditions and, needless to say, neither do fishers, especially when east winds blow. It is winds from the north and northeast though that churn the tidal rivers, bringing with them debris and mud plumes into the Sound, disrupting what would have otherwise been a good day of fishing.

Fire up your light gear and hit the Sound for albies and bonito. Weather aside, inshore reefs and island groups have been a bonanza, while shore casters were able to capitalize on runs of these speedsters working the rip lines for rain baits. It is definitely knuckle-busting time!

The low 70-degree water temperatures have prompted the striped bass bite to perk up. Although some of our larger linesiders are moving closer to the tidal rivers and capitalizing on the schools of baitfish, it’s been the smaller stripers less than 10 pounds that have been really been chowing down. Top water inshore action has been over the top with poppers, while live eels and seaworms have resulted in good hookups on the bait side.

Do not give up on this bottom fish duo. The porgy and black sea bass fisheries are still going strong and both are loving squid and clams. This season will stretch on, perhaps longer than the fishers. Both inshore and offshore reefs are producing quality fish, yet the best bite for larger fish continues to be farther out and in deeper water, such as around Faulkner’s, outer Southwest Reef, and lesser known humps and wrecks.

While poking around the tidal rivers, bring along some blue crab gear since these pincher pros are in full swing. You don’t need a fishing license for them, but one is required for the white perch that you might run into farther up the river.

Bluefish are hugging the shoreline where schools of bait are found, although these small- to medium-size fish are scattered throughout the Sound. For now, the best spots for some larger ones are still farther east (The Race) and in deeper water. You will have to work for them. You can still find birds working the bait schools as blues blitz them. Spoons and top waters are working best—nothing special or unusual. Weakfish continue to be mixed in with the choppers, especially when fishing close to the bottom.

Due to the consistent rain, freshwater fishing across the board has been erratic at best and, because of high water levels, most of our fall trout stocking program has been delayed until more favorable conditions prevail. However, look for the lakes and ponds to get a jump on stocking since the rain effect was less prevalent.

There’s one week left to register at Captain Morgan’s for the ever popular 30th annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tournament that will take place from Saturday, Oct. 13 through Saturday, Oct. 20. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 12. Prizes, surprises, and good food to follow at the awards banquet that’s returning to the fully renovated Guilford VFW. 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 bait, 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...

The annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tournament always draws a crowd and is known for both its tourney and outstanding awards banquet. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan