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07/05/2019 12:00 AMFourth of July is a great time to be independent and on the water. Long Island Sound is full of fish just waiting to be caught. Celebrations are in full swing, ramping up the adrenaline, while the sights and sounds fill the air.
A moment of distraction can cost you a hard-fought fish. A moment of distraction on the water can also cost you and your guests a lot more. You can follow all of the rules, including wearing life jackets, but on the water, that is not enough.
When fishing, you must learn to anticipate the moves of others. Anticipate the tides and currents, as well as what will happen should bottoming out occur as a result of someone’s careless wake or a wave breaks on the rock jetty while you are casting a line.
You should always be on the lookout for a wayward vessel, something floating or partially floating in the water, and, certainly, a narrowing channel or a breakwater that may get lost when the sun sets.
As we celebrate America’s 243rd Independence Day on July 4, let us remember why our forefathers and the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence while meeting in Philadelphia’s old statehouse. The year 1776 was the year that freedom rang. Be safe everyone and have a Happy Fourth!
On the Water
Long Island Sound inshore water temperatures are fluctuating around the 65-degree mark and have resulted in more fish entering the Sound. Fortunately, bouts of rain have mostly been limited to the weekdays, leaving some weekends free and clear of hard weather. Not exactly beach days or prime swimming conditions, but nevertheless, weather was good enough to splash more vessels and go fishing.
Prime black sea bass fishing continues throughout the Sound in spots where depths range from 60-to 95 feet. Humpback hunters can either drift over bottom structure or set up on it. Lately, fish here have been in the four-pound class with plenty of smaller ones found in shallower water. Larger porgy (scup) in the 15- to 17-inch range can also be found on these humps, but they are on the move. Some smaller fish have moved closer to shore, giving porgy fanatics the opportunity at better-than-average catches.
There is a noticeable increase in large smooth dogfish catches both on and offshore, as well as fairly large skate that are taking chunk-and-cut baits. Sea robins are feeding heavily on the bottom and seem to be getting bigger and bigger as the days roll by. The weakfish bite eased, but harbor blues seem to be taking on a life with more bite-offs occurring. Birds are working over a few scattered schools of menhaden, but not enough to draw fishers to them in the typical feeding frenzy fashion.
Striped bass are being caught offshore more regularly now that a run of fish made it into the Sound. Getting them to bite may be a different story. Fish in the 30- to 40-inch range are being caught drifting live eels, trolling wire, and jigging. Six Mile has been good, while Southwest Reef and Long Sand Shoal are seeing fresh fish. Several inshore reefs and rocky sections saw action from yakers, shore-goers, and small vessels. A combination of lures, baits, and flies have all caught linesiders in the same size class. Schoolie action in the tidal rivers continues, but bring along some good repellent.
Drifting along the bottom both in and offshore with a bucktail has not only picked up a bass, but also fluke. Most of these keeper summer flounder (fluke) caught have been in the low-to-mid 20-inch range. As water temps rise, there should be more larger fish caught, though mostly in deeper water and on larger baits. There are some hickory shad in the tidal rivers, along with better blue crab catches between six- to seven inches.
Trout rivers still have life, along with the trout parks. Most all lakes and ponds have activity that is especially good early and late in the day. Vegetation is taking hold, so weed lines, drop-offs, and points should be fished fastidiously. Water temperature and depth is important. Topwater at sunrise and sunset is the way to go for bass. Doesn’t matter much for pickerel, but suspend for crappie. Bait up for carp and catfish. Northern pike will grab either a lure or bait.
Fly Fisher Alert
Register by Wednesday, July 10 for Captain Morgan’s Day on the Flats with certified Fly Fisher International instructors and be entered in a free drawing to win a private lesson tailored especially to you. Three individual winners will be selected at day’s end. Last day for registrations for this Saturday, July 20 event will be Friday, July 19. Register by phone at 203-245-8665 or at the shop located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison.
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 permits, 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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