Printer Friendly Version - Hi-Tech Fishing is Good, But Common Sense is Often Better

Catching schoolies took on a different twist when Jonah Lewis (second from left) of Madison hooked into this 43-inch striper as friends Angus Culhane (second from right) of Madison and David Weiss (left) and Diane Crabtree (right) of Philadelphia cheered on.Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

To experience the value of Long Island Sound, you must live in close proximity to it—close enough to experience its fresh scent, daily tidal changes, and seasonal impact, as well as the gulls whose signals indicate that there is a food chain interaction occurring. If you’ve been fortunate to fish it from shore or a vessel over the years, you have seen the Sound evolve from healthy to not-so-healthy to its current rejuvenated state that approaches the days of yore.

With ongoing debates regarding weather changes, ice melt, and the rise of coastal water temperatures, this change is never more evident than when observing the northern movement of fish. Fish have not only migrated north into a better habitat because of warmer water temperatures, they are also encountering confrontational detours along the way.

While fishers are seeing technological changes such as improvements and updates in geospatial equipment (things like GPS chart plotters, depth sounders, and fishfinders), fish, on the other hand, are having to dodge these stealthy advancements. There are more fishers with hi-tech equipment on board and, consequently, more hooks in the right places. Tide, current, weather, and time of day are now the only basic variables left confronting a fisher. Today, bottom structure can be readily identified and fish are much easier to spot as a result.

As recreational and commercial fishing pressure mounts, fish will move toward areas that are less intrusive, thereby creating challenges for fishers. The Sound has its holdover fish, along with many species that migrate here when the spring weather breaks through. This migration period offers some of the best fishing and repeats itself again when the reverse happens during the fall. So, if your typical spots are not producing as they were in previous years, consider moving around and employing some old-time methods like reading the water and nautical charts, instead of relying solely on electronics that might go blank at the most inopportune time.

Going into the new moon, shoreline weather moderated after a bout with gusty winds as southern winds warmed the Sound’s waters even more. Inshore temps rose to 62 degrees, while mid-Sound surface temps still registered in the 50s. Overall fishing activity continued to increase both along the immediate shoreline and out on the reefs as fishers sought out another pleasant weekend.

A fresh run of stripers moved into our waters and immediately began to fill their gullets with live eels, menhaden, herring, and a variety of artificials. Schoolie action persisted in many of the harbors and tidal rivers as larger bass worked popular spots like Six Mile, Crane’s, Long Sand Shoal, Faulkner’s North Rip, and Brown’s. At times, when flood tides coincided with sunset, fishing was awesome. Drifting a three-way setup offshore or working the top third of the water column with lures produced surprising results.

Scattered bluefish schools are being spotted and picked up when trolling the rips. Not much happening topsides, but umbrella rigs and flashy spoons are generating hookups from down below. Small and feisty ones are mixing it up and even responding to diamond jigs and tubes. Although artificials are catching them, chunk baits are working either set at anchor or drifting. Lately, they have been mixed in with the schoolies, both of which have been chowing down on a run of silversides.

More and more black sea bass are spreading throughout the Sound with fish in the four-pound-plus range settling into deeper water. The better fish are coming from roughly 70- to 90-foot depths and mostly on rigs with squid and jigs. Remember, New York waters are closed until Sunday, June 23 for sea bass, but will still be open to fluke fishing. The Connecticut side of the Sound is seeing improved action not only from undersized fish, but also from fish above the 19-inch minimum size. The recent weekend brought more vessels onto the reefs and shoals as fluke hunters drifted the bottom, hoping to hook into a doormat. Fish in the 21- to 24-inch range were boated, but drifters had to work for their catch. Bucktails and an assortment of colored rigs proved productive, although presentation and the right tide were key. Larger fish are coming from deep water, slow drifts, and big baits.

Inshore porgy (scup) action is gaining momentum. However, the offshore reefs are the places to fish for some platter-size porgies. Squid and sea worms are the most popular baits with scented imitations next in line. Striped sea robins remain easily caught from both shore and boat and are a fish that many fishers are beginning to taste. Some estuaries are beginning to see small blue crabs, but water temps need to warm up a bit more. Currently, they are in the low 60s, and 59 degrees is the trigger for growth.

Activity in the lakes and ponds are now on the seasonal schedule. Most are within the large and smallmouth community, although pickerel, perch, and catfish are also being caught. Check out the Connecticut River for large cats and carp, as well as shad in the upper reaches. River trout continue to be caught in the stocked rivers with native brookies hooked in the back streams of wild trout waters.

Attention fly fishers! A Fly Casting Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at one of our local picturesque shoreline flats. Certified master instructors will guide you in improving your technique. Lunch and beverage are included in the $225 fee. Space is limited, so registration is on a first-come basis. Call 203-245-8665 or stop by Captain Morgan’s for more details.

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 flies, 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...

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s image of the 19th-century Monterey shipwreck lying in the Gulf of Mexico at 4,300 feet depicts early blown glass bottles. Meanwhile, Scott Vanwilgen of Guilford actually hooked into this encrusted 20th-century bottle without the use of today’s advanced technology. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan