Printer Friendly Version - Despite Tempestuous Weather ’Togs Were Still Tugging

Jeff Tyrol of Manchester weighs in his career-best blackfish (tautog) at 12.47 pounds and 25.5 inches, caught on a crab, to jumpstart the 30th annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tournament. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

The first frost of the season was felt in the state as the Chicago cold front made its way east. It was the north wind that dominated the weekend shoreline, causing the Sound to churn angrily from about a half-mile offshore all the way to the New York side. These sea conditions gave pause to the blackfish (tautog) fishers who had their sights set on favorite reefs around Faulkner’s Island. Nevertheless, ‘tog enthusiasts are a determined bunch who are often able to find a lee side somewhere to soak a crab.

Getting to that spot, though, can be trying at best. With safety being the better part of valor, too much weather will cause even the finest of ‘tog pullers to stall for a tide or two and opt for better conditions. That’s the way it was when the remnants of Hurricane Michael swept by and gave us gusts of wind to 40 knots. You can only imagine how a blackfish must react in rough water with its relatively small forward fins in proportion to its body mass. They, too, will seek a more comforting environment, either deeper or under the protection of a rock pile.

A cool rainy morning gave way to partly cloudy, before yielding to more of a partially sunny and much calmer second half of the weekend. This was evident based on the increased number of vessels that were anchored on reefs or secured to the walls. Fortunately, the high-tide cycle came later in the day, when the bite was best, and that was precisely when the ‘togs began hitting the scales.

To the touch, seas felt like bath water compared to the air, giving pause as to where the ‘togs were holding. Would they be found in deep water, shallow, or somewhere in the middle? Like most fish, these desirable ones generally move with water temperature and conditions. However, some were caught by rock jetties, shallow rock piles, and from the deeper reefs, suggesting that they were in transition. Most fell to crabs, while others to sandworms and clams.

As the season straightens itself out and sea temperatures normalize, the depths at which ‘togs will be found will stabilize. That may hold true for the masses, but overall, this fishery continues to need help, and most fish caught will remain in the three- to four-pound range or less. Happy ‘togging, everyone!

There are more stormy weather to deal with up north, hurricanes down south, and an unsettled Atlantic churns as we slip deeper into fall. Seas are behaving in typical October fashion, while fishing cranked up. All in all, Long Island Sound water temperatures remain rather warm and are still in the high 60s as fish enjoy the buffet before them.

Bait is flourishing in many parts of the Sound and into the tidal rivers. Peanut bunker is thick, schools of adult menhaden are scattered, and plenty of shiner-type baits are attracting all higher levels of the food chain. False albacore and bonito have not let up and are spreading throughout the Sound, offering fishers some rare closeup opportunities at catching these speedsters. Meanwhile, bluefish and their littler snapper cousins are blitzing and providing some good fun. Notably, numbers of large choppers have created a void, keeping fishers wondering. Not so for the weakies. Catches continue, along with the active bluefish.

The striped bass bite under the recent new moon kept pace with the time of year as schoolies almost jumped onto hooks. Surface action has been good alongside jigs and bait down below. Faulkner’s area eased a bit, yielding to the presence of frolicking hungry seals out for a free meal. Pre-dawn and post dusk hours have seen better results by the various rips and bumps drifting live eels. Some of these fish have easily been 40-plus pounds at low light when caught venturing into the shallows in order to corner smaller fish feeding along the grassy areas.

Blackfish season opened on schedule to waters 10 degrees warmer than normal for mid-October. Early season explorers attempting to locate some white chins fished varying depths from 90 feet to less than 10 feet. However, most of the fish initially caught were closer to the 16-inch legal size and in depths less than 25 feet. With a deep cold front upon us, hopes prevail that bigger ‘togs will follow and bragger bulldogs will be caught.

Porgy (scup) and black sea bass are still at the top of their game with plenty left to fillet up for the freezer. We are seeing catches of white perch in key tidal rivers, along with hickory shad spread out in many others. Blue crabbing eased during the downpours, but it is not over.

Looks like more stocking took place and fishers are seeing better trout results including nice rainbows. Chatfield Hollow received 400 ‘bows, Quonnipaug received 500 ‘bows, while the Shetucket got 250 broodstock Atlantic salmon. Rivers and streams improved, but got hit with more rain that negatively affected levels. Most of the lakes have been slow, with the exception of carp, crappie, perch, and sunnies. Look for better fishing as temps drop and fall waters develop.

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For all things fishy including permits, 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...

Guilford’s John Quayle landed this fine rainbow trout, a 23-inch six-pounder, while fishing local waters on light gear. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan