Printer Friendly Version - Sticking with Tradition This Holiday Season

’Twas the end of November when Jim Luce of Madison got into a school of striped bass that produced a mix of 25 schoolies and keepers (all released) that staged at the shoal. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

With all the wonderful weather that we’ve been experiencing this season (sarcasm), you can hardly fault anyone from bailing out early. A fisher’s anticipations could not have been hardened more by the incessantly wicked weather that befell the shoreline. Actually, if it wasn’t for the constant winds, some of those nasty days could have been tolerated.

As is the case in most years, fishers surrender to the coming holiday season before the fish do. There is a certain point in time when water temperatures dip, the Sound settles in to its pre-winter mode, and fishing activity gradually wanes. One day, water temperatures begin sliding from the low 50s and, before you know it, they are into the 40s. Like squeezing the last drop of water from a sponge, the hardcore, dedicated fishers squeeze the final few casts of the season.

Those who don’t yield are often rewarded with a few outstanding tides that produce memorable catches that carry them throughout the cold season. These fishers are in tune with the annual cycle. They are familiar with the various transition spots where fish like striped bass stage, before passing through or venturing up river. They know where blackfish (tautog) are headed and how deep to fish for black sea bass.

These ardent fishers also realize that the time has come to either turn their heads south if they wish to extend their fishing season or point to the rut if they hunt. It’s time to embrace the holiday season, while making time, of course, to examine your gear and tend to the wear and tear before stowing it. This old salt is a multi-generational fisherman at heart, an outfitter by nature, and a fisheries advocate who delves into the world of retail. That being said, consider gifting your fisher something traditional this year, as opposed to a hi-tech gizmo. Things that purport to make a task quicker, easier, and more appealing always have a price to pay. There is something to be said for the old saying, “Hook, line, and sinker.” So, this year, keep it simple and traditional. You will learn more and gain a deeper appreciation for the fine art of fishing in the long run.

We saw our first semi-hard water north of the shoreline when the Arctic blast dipped into New England. With that, inshore water temperatures dropped to 48 degrees as inland air temps scratched single digits, before bouncing back to the low 50s for a short spell. We still can tolerate a few more degree drops in temperature, before the Big Pond settles into its cold weather mode.

Prior to the last cold spell, fresh striped bass were staging fairly regularly on inshore reefs and shoals in close proximity to key holdover tidal rivers. These linesiders were scooping up soft plastics and assorted jigs, ranging in sizes to 28 inches. The action was steady and afforded fishers great late fall fishing. Bass were also working their way into the upper reaches of those rivers, and so fishing those stretches proved successful, as well. Although fish were caught along offshore reefs of the Sound, winds created challenges for those attempting to troll and jig up a few of the end-of-season stripers.

Blackfish season wound down this week, but not before ’tog pullers had their final say. Like most of the season, it was a battle of weather, as opposed to a battle with these bulldogs. For the most part, the weather did cooperate to end the ’tog season, opening the door for some good action. Of course, the better ’togs were found on the deeper reefs like Southwest, Kimberly, The Beacon, or Townsend’s Ledge, which are all closer to mid-Sound. The last of the crabs were doled out; most were either snatched from hooks or found their mark.

Recalling the reprieve that the black sea bass season received back in March, we can fish for these favorites until end the of the year under a five-fish, 15-inch minimum length daily creel limit. As the water temps drop, the deeper they will go. So, in order to hook into the humpback, you will have to fish the deep offshore reefs of the Sound and beyond. For now, the best shot at fish in the four- to five-pound range will be the deep reefs of Long Island Sound, before they really head offshore.

After trout or broodstock Atlantic salmon? Try fishing the trout parks or the Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers. Small- to medium-size floating swimmers or countdowns have been successful in those crisp rivers using a slow, steady, and intermittent retrieve. Opt for silver/white, gold/white, or a rainbow pattern tied on about four-pound test mono—braid if preferred, but with a fluorocarbon leader. Fly rodders might consider a streamer (weighted or unweighted), something similar to a ghost or shiner pattern on a five-weight using short four- to five-inch strips.

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 clam 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...

Traditional fishing gifts speak volumes when it comes learning the basics and improving techniques. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan