Printer Friendly Version - Unofficially, Summer is Just One Cast Away

Matt Simoni (left) of North Branford and Uncle Mike (right) of East Haven combined to catch and release this nice pair of golden brown trout in memory of Pete Simoni—father, brother, friend, and an avid fly fisher. Rest in peace. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

In a flash, the unofficial first day of summer is upon us and Memorial Day celebrations are underway. It is a time to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country in the United States Armed Forces. It is also the arbitrary weekend set by boaters to splash their hulls if they haven’t done so already.

Despite the rainy spring and gnarly seas, wetting a line is proving fruitful for fishers. Striped bass have been more than cooperative as they slurped in a fly or inhaled a plug. Yes, water temperatures continue to be cooler than normal and are taking their time to creep up to the norm. However, the Long Island Sound and its associated estuary fisheries have come to life a lot sooner than many fishers realized.

The Connecticut River and its tributaries have remained higher and cooler than normal, although holdover stripers still moved down it, along with nature’s debris. These fish have spread out into the Sound, along the beaches, and are exploring forage options in our minor rivers and along the salt marshes. Other key main rivers have also experienced similar transformations as their localized fisheries take hold, bracing for the months ahead.

This weekend is a time when different species of fish break into the Big Pond, either from their northerly migration route along the Atlantic coast or a trip in from the outer shelf. Talk begins to surface about how this year’s meeting of the Labrador current and the Gulf Stream will affect offshore fishing. Will bait balls gather? When will sharks appear? How will the tuna bite be? Where will the temperature breaks show up?

Closer to shore, mumblings of a bluefish bite are cautiously traded. After last year’s performance, many are hedging their bets and looking toward other fisheries. However, an optimistic sign from the Jersey coast is sending positive signals as choppers are beginning to show up here. What transpires will all depend on how menhaden, silversides, and the squid runs turn out. Currently, bluefish are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, so it will be up to us recreational fishers to do our part to keep it that way. Waste not, want not.

Did we turn the corner? It appears that we did as inshore Long Island Sound water temperatures have edged back up to the mid-50s and keep climbing. Seas calmed down after a few bouts with small craft warnings, and southerly winds have moved in, adding to the increase in temps. We have seen more of the sun, which is also adding warmth to the tidal rivers as their bottoms absorb the rays.

Boat slips along the shoreline are slowly filling. Skippered by anxiously fishers eager to take advantage of spring’s run of fish, these vessels are prepped and ready. Smaller boats have already been out with those on board looking for winter flounder. These catches have been variable with most success coming from localized bays and harbor channels.

Schoolie striper action has picked up again after the weather broke. Their size (up to 24 inches) have made it ideal for fly fishers casting an eight weight set up with a Clouser or deceiver on the business end. Fishers using 10- to 12-pound test spinning gear casting swim shads, small jigs, or bait are also catching fish as the tidal rivers and beaches sporting bottom structure are seeing more bait runs. This will continue provided that river herring, menhaden, and silversides move inshore. It’s time for eels and bigger fish!

The time has come to fish for black sea bass. The Connecticut season is open (5 fish at 15 inches), although crossing the line into New York waters to fish for them or have them on board is not an option until Sunday, June 23. Practically all fish caught inshore have been small, so if you’re looking for humpbacks, go deep. Fish Hi-Los and squid for starters. Meanwhile, the Sound is loading up with porgy (scup), and some bluefish are making their way into our waters.

Fluke season opened to mixed results, primarily due to weather conditions. A few fish in the seven- to eight-pound range were boated in parts of the eastern Sound, including New Haven. As usual, there are more fish under the 19-inch minimum length around, so be prepared to go through some minimats. Bucktail jigs and squid have been working in deep water, while the normal three-way drift rigs (with or without teasers) have been effective at various depths.

The sweet water keeps getting better. To the delight of anglers, trout waters received more stocking in places like Hammonasset (1,033), Chatfield Hollow (800), and Quonnipaug (335). Fish were taking natural baits, artificials, and flies like streamers and beadhead nymphs, along with dries, as periodic hatches emerged. Lower levels and gentler flows have certainly helped. Largemouth action has been good and smallmouth activity took a jump, followed by charging pickerel, some better pike, good catfish, limited carp, active yellow perch, and an improved white perch bite. American shad are moving up the Connecticut River and have been taking darts and willow leafs. Take along extra shad lures since the bottom is eating them up. The river is colder than normal and high, but moderating.

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 reel repairs, 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...

Sal Proto (left) of East Haven hooked into this six-pound largemouth from his float tube, while Steve Martins (right), a tournament bass angler from Guilford, boated this quality smallmouth that’s commonly called a bronzeback. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan