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12/31/2018 11:00 PMA few days ago, I was asked on the radio about how I would rate the 2018 fishing season on a scale of 1 to 10. The answer that came to mind was a 7. Unfortunately, that rating could easily have been higher if not for the extreme weather conditions that prevailed for most of the season. Many plans to fish Long Island Sound either stalled or had to be rescheduled or abandoned—and this was primarily the reason for my rating.
Not only did the briny come into play, but so did the sweet water. Ice fishing was spotty until a cold spell locked up the area later in the season. Key tidal rivers rose and froze solid, rendering many coves unfishable due to winds and other conditions, while northern lakes and ponds experienced such thick ice that augers needed extensions and blades were easily dulled.
Trout stocking was stalled until river levels and flows subsided and, even then, Opening Day disappointed many. As the season progressed, fishing improved, although storms and wind created difficult conditions. Even the last of the season’s stocking that took place in October after Columbus Day was hampered. However, fall trout season turned out to be the best of the year, with bigger and more fish being caught. On the other hand, Atlantic salmon catches were trying, while white perch had its moments.
The rest of freshwater species seemed to thrive. Largemouths had an up season, smallmouths were not far behind, northern pike were OK, suspended black crappie were good, catfish were numerous, spring and fall carp were challenged, walleye catchable, and yellow perch and sunfish plentiful.
Meanwhile, water temperatures in the Sound remained chilled, ultimately causing the spring blackfish (tautog) season to be iffy at best. Summer ‘tog season saw fish, but fall catches greatly improved, even though many more shorts were boated than keepers. The shop’s biggest was 12.47 pounds, which was the heaviest weighed during the 30th ‘Tog Tourney.
As the iced-up striped bass holdover rivers gradually broke apart (assisted by the U.S. Coast Guard ice breakers) and flows became more manageable, linesiders began to move down river. From that point on and, even in spite of the weather and intermittent schools of Atlantic menhaden and hickory shad, the bass were one of the fish that were impressive throughout the season. From schoolies to 50 pounders, the season ratcheted up right until late fall. Thanks to the 2011 young of year class, as predicted, many fishers had some of their best days in memory.
One of the fish that contributed to the lower 7 rating was bluefish. Disappointing to many, the blues that predominately showed up, by all accounts, were small. At times, harbor blues did tear into erratic schools of bunker while creating blitzing spurts. The snappers had a relatively good showing, but were outshined by a better scup (porgy) season. Dinner plate size scup were prevalent and those schools were impressive. Another bright spot was large, edible striped sea robins. Fly fishers and spin casters found false albacore and bonito fishing to be hot as schools covered the entire water column in a flash.
Black sea bass continued their omnipresence with another outstanding year. Short fish were everywhere, especially after the spawn. However, catches in the five-pound class were not uncommon. Fluke had a so-so year, as did the two-fish limit of winter flatties, with numbers of shorts outcatching keepers. Still, some of those keeper fluke broke double digits as wind-driven drifts raised havoc with flukers. A bright side was the weakfish bite that continued from spring into the fall from Six Mile Reef to Faulkner’s Island and on to the West Haven sandbar.
We also had visitors in the Sound in the form of green and leatherback turtles, dolphins, a few humpback whales, and a variety of shark species—even some northern pufferfish and kingfish. There were triggerfish, redfish, drum, ladyfish, and several others that followed the Gulf Stream. As an aside, blue crabbing had some good stretches, while clamming would have been better if not for the weather—something that could be said for the entire season.
On the Water
Lo and behold, Christmas has passed and, hopefully, some of you had a chance to see some of that white dusting that fell from the sky. The fire was lit, but with the weather continuing on a mild path, it was more for effect than warmth. A few blustery hours on Long Island Sound created a little wave action, but not enough to blow Santa’s sleigh off course. Then came the New Year celebrations that saw more of the same as the Sound’s water temperatures remained in the mid-40s
Notice that the heading “On the Water” has not changed to “On the Ice” just yet. As we track toward mid- to late January, when (and if) the month’s thaw generally occurs, optimistically, that might be adjusted. To date, though, air temperatures are flip-flopping in southern Connecticut, making hard water a wish that, overall, needs more time to develop. For now, open water fishing continues to take the limelight in the areas south of the I-95 corridor.
Cod fishing trips off Block Island are being planned in hopes of boating a few steakers (cod in upwards of 40 pounds). However, in reality, most caught will be market size (up to around 30 pounds) due to the decline of the fishery. Mixed in will probably be some haddock and pollack, which are a reasonable substitute for the table.
Inshore, anglers are hitting the sweet water for winter trout. Air temperatures are quite mild, and river water levels are still fluctuating. Weighted nymphs and streamers are doing it for the fly rodders, while swimmers, countdowns, and small inline spinners are producing for the conventionalists. The same water conditions are holding true for Atlantic salmon rivers, although spoons, sometimes tipped with a curly tail, might be the way to go. Lakes, ponds, and coves offset from key tidal rivers can easily produce white perch and northern pike until and when ice sets up. Then, look for largemouth, yellow perch, catfish, and black crappie to be tossed into the mix.
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...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
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