Printer Friendly Version - Rocky Road Ahead for This Rockfish

The name Rubino is synonymous with fish, beginning with father and grandfather Capt. Peter Rubino, who was a charter and commercial waterman aboard Wild Duck, and right on through to son and nephew Jake (upper left and lower right), uncle Ralph (upper left) and, of course, dad Ed (upper right, lower left, middle), who always have great days on the water. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

Is the striped bass population really in peril? If left alone to survive under the existing conditions, Marone saxatilis would have a dismal future. So, according to the data, the short answer is yes. Currently, there are more females harvested than can safely support a sustainable Spawning Stock Biomass, thus prompting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to declare that striped bass are overfished.

Without getting into the technicalities of the Striped Bass Management Board’s findings regarding the Benchmark Stock Assessment and a series of motions and amendments, the board initiated a draft addendum to reduce total fishing mortality by about 17 percent. This reduction in total removals (commercial and recreational harvest) also includes dead releases. When the total process is completed, including voting on the draft addendum, a public comment period and, ultimately, approving a final amendment, new regulations would be implemented for the 2020 season.

Realistically, you can anticipate changes that could include a slot limit prohibiting harvesting fish more than 40 inches, a new minimum size, mandatory use of circle hooks when bait fishing, seasonal closures, applying reductions to commercial and recreational sectors as needed, and other conservation equivalency measures. After reviewing the stock assessment, the ASMFC also recommended to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that the Exclusive Economic Zone between Block Island and Montauk, New York remain closed.

Setting weather aside, this spring saw remarkable striped bass action. Generally, more fish were caught along the immediate shoreline than out on the reefs, where it took multiple passes to achieve a hookup. Although some bass caught reached hefty proportions, typically, they were smaller fish from an earlier young-of-year class. This seems to parallel what the Technical Committees are discovering concerning the larger female biomass population. To help sustain the population, continue to carefully release all catches not destined for the table and, when bait fishing, strongly consider using inline circle hooks.

Fishing took a hike up, even though more rain and wind pummeled the shoreline. Some wind came from the southwest and then flipped to the northwest, keeping boaters at bay. Meanwhile, small craft warnings were issued, yet the fish could have cared less. Inshore water temperature varied from a hefty 66 degrees in New Haven to 59 degrees in New London, affecting some fisheries.

Striped bass are still eager to feed along the immediate shoreline and even more so out on the reefs and shoals. There are plenty of schoolies to catch with more fish in the 40-inch range showing up. Live eels continue to be a top bait, along with menhaden, chunk baits, and artificials such as hard and soft lures. Working several of the lower tidal rivers has been productive, especially during the early morning and late day tides. Fly fishers are connecting with Clousers, deceivers, and similar composite varieties.

Black sea bass keep on topping the conversation list as some of the best catches are still to come. Deep water of about 75- to 95 feet on the Connecticut side of the Sound is producing humpbacks approaching five pounds with the No. 1 bait being squid backed up with clams. Bottom structure coupled with depth is key! On Sunday, June 23, the New York season will open to a 15-inch, three-fish daily creel limit. Simple double hook rigs with teasers have been winners.

Fluke are around, but they are not setting any records for sizes or numbers. Although fish have been caught in the 8- to 10-pound range, most keepers have been falling between 20- to 24 inches with enough shorts less than 19 inches to frustrate fishers. Considering the squid run and the large sizes (20 inches), there should be a few good doormats lurking close by. So, staying in touch with the bottom with large baits is recommended.

Bluefish numbers have not changed much over the past week. Scattered schools of small harbors are letting fishers know they are around by their periodic bite-offs. Beyond that, top water blitzes are not sending gulls into a frantic state. If you would like a fresh fillet for the table, try trolling a flashy spoon or chunking the bottom by a rip line or casting along the shoreline during a flood tide.

Large porgy (scup) are moving in and being caught from offshore humps as spotty catches from shore are improving. Sea robins are everywhere, while winter flounder need to be sought out. Keep an eye open for hickories and better blue crabbing as the estuaries continue to warm.

The season is on for largemouth and smallmouth bass, so put those jerk baits, soft plastics, jigs, and spinnerbaits to work. Key lakes are hotbeds, while smaller lakes are seeing good action, too. Trout activity is better than average, but slowing. Pickerel, perch, catfish, carp, crappie, and sunfish catches are good, along with American shad in the upper Connecticut River. Even bowfin catches are showing up. The fight is fun, but the food quality is not so good—release these scarce fish.

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 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...

Michael P. Briggs (left) of East Haven landed this nice Long Island Sound 21-inch, 4.03-pound black sea bass, while his son Michael A. Briggs (right) of North Branford caught this 18.25-inch, 3.37-pound striped sea robin on a separate trip. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan