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11/13/2018 11:00 PMWith one week left to go until Thanksgiving, fishers are squeezing out as much of the fishing season as they can. Now that Daylight Saving Time has passed, the clock seems to be ticking faster as the days slip by. Still, water temperatures are favoring the warm side, while starlings that can normally be seen swarming in the sky are hardly banding together right about now.
As one heads north, fewer vessels are seen on the Sound as more are appearing under shrink wrap in the marinas. Looking carefully, smaller boats can be observed dotting the local blackfish (tautog) spots like Indian, White Top, and The Sisters—even setting up on reefs farther out. In fact, the feeling of hooking into some nice ’togs is happening more often as calmer seas, at times, prevail.
We are seeing striped bass working on their fall run, but they aren’t in much of a hurry. The same is holding true for bluefish and black sea bass, who remain quite active despite slipping into deeper water. On one hand, the fishery is reacting to the change in seasons, yet slowly. On the other hand, daylight is dwindling and it’s just a matter of time before the colder days outnumber the unseasonably moderate ones.
Even the sweet water activity is showing signs of confusion in adapting to the lagging season. Some waters are cooling a bit faster than others and many of the rivers are running full. Still, fishing patterns vary and are often interrupted by the amount of rain and wind incurred. Lately, the feeling of fall became a reality. Autumn leaves are coating the banks with some taking to the water as if they were tiny vessels blind to the protocols of navigation. Nevertheless, fish continue to be caught.
It is true that each of the seasons vary from year to year—some more predictable than others. This fishing season brought warmer water and an avalanche of every ingredient, whether rain, wind, fog, or high seas. Collectively, they took their toll on the season, fishers, and vessels. However, one cannot deny that the majority of the fishery produced in both number and sizes.
This begs the question, “What will winter bring?” My gut tells me that, due to an anticipated weak El Niño, New England will experience above-average temperatures with more rain and less snow. As such, Punxsutawney Phil may not see his shadow, even though winter is always six weeks away. In the meantime, from Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from Captain Morgan and crew.
On the Water
The weather has taken on more of a November feel as air temperatures have dipped into the 40s during the day are falling into the mid-30s at night. Sun has poked through at times, but not enough to offset the shorter days or to keep Long Island Sound’s water temps from dropping. Those temps slipped a few more degrees and now are hovering at the 56-degree mark.
Blackfish is the top game on the Sound and garnering most of the attention. Windows of opportunity have been painstakingly difficult to find on a regular basis. However, with the waters cooling down, ’togs in the six- to nine-pound range can now be found on many of the inshore reefs in depths of 35- to 85 feet. Cooler water is contributing to their movement, as well as their feeding. Crabs, worms, and clams continue to make up their diet, while sinking a chum pot helps with hookups.
Albies and bonito have some fight left as sightings and catches become more spotty. The possibility of running into a feeding spell is still good. As a result, keeping a rod rigged up is not a bad idea, although targeting them now can be frustrating. Crippled herrings, pimples, jigs, and epoxies are still the way to go. Bluefish have not yet left our waters and can be generally caught during flood tides around the mid-Sound reefs and shoals as they chomp down on menhaden. Do not be too surprised if you pick up a weakfish in the process while trolling or drifting.
Striped bass, on the other hand, are continuing to play and play hard. Schools of smaller linesiders can be found throughout the Sound, while keeper plus-size fish are in the mix and out on the reefs. Live eels, chunk baits, bucktails, and plugs can still bring up a nice fish. With the cooler water taking hold, slowing down the retrieve can make all the difference in the world. For best results, concentrate on the bays, inshore reefs, and key mid- to lower tidal rivers, even though many stripers have moved into the upper reaches. With the influx of hickory shad, they are one of the fall forage fish who have been recently commanding the attention of these stripers.
Black sea bass action has been good when fishers can reach the deep wrecks and reefs. Wind has been the obstacle to getting out and anchoring on the hot spots, which have generally been in 85- to 100 feet or more of water. Be prepared to use heavier weights than normal.
Many trout rivers that have been stocked are running higher and faster due to the rain and will be challenging before settling down. However, some of those rivers and trout parks have had some good catches. Finding which baits, lures, and flies to use has been the challenge. Atlantic salmon catches have been up, largemouths just OK, smallies are better, catfish fair, carp have been encouraging, walleyes good in the end-of-day shallows, pike are quiet, pickerel so-so, and panfish (sunnies, perch, and crappie) catches are spread out. Consider baiting up a partial worm for some white perch tucked into upper estuary coves.
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 crabbing supplies, 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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