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08/29/2019 12:00 AMLabor Day weekend seemed to sneak up on us quicker than usual. You can chalk that up to the late spring start. For most fishers and boaters, though, this has not dampened anyone’s spirits considering the remaining summer and early fall fishing that lies ahead. Despite the peculiar weather pattern, there has been very little interruption of fish migrations other than their later than usual arrivals.
The wait for bluefish is now over and this is sparking some enthusiasm. Although mostly mid-size harbor blues were found within central Sound, some real choppers were caught on either end. These intimidators were an absolute blast on light gear and topwater poppers as both conventional and fly fishers worked the surface.
On this particular day, as the sinking sun momentarily clutched the horizon, an unmistakable sign of a bluefish feed emanated from the briny like a shallow geyser. Fish exploded into the air, bits of them flew in every direction, and the gulls immediately breached the once-quiet scene.
Soon, the air filled with the smell of sweet cucumbers. Scales and silversides coated the bow and cockpit, while blue after small blue were caught and then sent back to the Sound, unharmed from the effort. This was one of those days when, in the throes of a minimal bluefish season, the moment was a rush and the catching spree was awe inspiring.
Heading back after this August sunset was fulfilling. Since we don’t know how many more of these interactions will occur again this season, we were glad to have taken part in this one. However, there is still optimism for a continued bonito run, some blazing albie encounters, and encouragement that a Long Island Sound striper run will materialize. So, have a safe Labor Day weekend that’s filled with great fishing.
On the Water
Once the thunderstorms passed, the humidity lowered and air temperatures dropped to the mid-70s for the weekend before rebounding into the 80s. Long Island Sound coastal water temps remained around 74 degrees as we head into Labor Day weekend. Fishing remains brisk, while the much-anticipated September run of fish appears to be picking up steam.
Atlantic menhaden schools remain thick. In some cases, they are spread out over a quarter mile, inviting mini bluefish blitzes. Not all areas are seeing this surge, but for the ones that are, they are experiencing some good topwater action. Concentrations of blues have primarily been in the far western and eastern parts of the Sound with smaller harbor blues showing up in the middle. As this is taking place, snapper blues are schooling up in the harbors and bays, feeding on spearing and attacking poppers and spoons.
Striped bass catches have varied, but the night bite is outperforming any other time. The reefs have been good from the Gut, Six Mile, Bartlett’s, Hatchet’s, Faulkner’s, The S’s, Brown’s, and The Beacon. Live lining menhaden, flipping eels, and working topwater plugs have brought fish to the boat. There have been some good productive morning sunrises, so that time of day should not be ignored.
Fluke activity is up with the bite spreading from deep water to near shore. Shorts still dominate the keeper catches, although the action using bucktails, squid, and teasers, as well as standard and hi-lo rigs has been good. Long Sand Shoal, Six Mile, and Mud Bottom, along with drifts by Faulkner’s, Kimberly, and Hammonasset, have been productive. Working the bucktail rather than just lazily drifting it along the bottom has been a good change-up that has been recently provoking more strikes.
The weakfish keep biting. Lately, these fish have been coming closer to the shore and have been caught in areas near lower tidal rivers. They have taken squid, sea worms, and weakie rigs and jigs—often when trolling or drifting. Sizes have approached 16 inches with some catches 22 inches and more. Those fishing mid-Sound could hook up at Six Mile, just south of Kimberly Reef, The Beacon, and west to the Q by the sandbar.
Atlantic bonito are stripping line as fly fishers on the eastern and western parts of the Sound chase them. Actually, staying put will most often be more productive as, in many cases, they pop up close again. However, we are still waiting for the albies to catch up.
’Tog pullers are picking up the remaining few fish before the summer season closes on Sunday, Sept. 1. It reopens on Thursday, Oct. 10, just ahead of the 31st annual Veterans Memorial Blackfish Tournament scheduled to run from Saturday, Oct. 12 to Saturday, Oct. 19. Meanwhile, black sea bass remain a staple and are catchable throughout the Sound, even though the trophies are a deep water challenge and most close to shore are barely keepers. Flukers are producing fish anywhere from 100-foot-plus depths to near shore. Keep your bait and bottom rigs moving to entice a strike.
Porgy (scup) fever marches on as the reefs and rock piles continue to hold fish. In fact, the action is hot. Bottom dwellers like dogfish, sea robins, kingfish, and puffers are also being caught, while the estuaries are seeing hickory shad and holding a mix of blue crabs.
Bluefish Contest
Here are the unofficial results for the top three leaderboard weights of last weekend’s WICC Bluefish Tournament. First place went to Peter Eshenselder, who reeled in a catch of 21.29 pounds to win $25,000; second was won by Rich Brengi, who landed a catch of 15.86 pounds to win $7,500; and Christopher Hines took third place with a catch of 15.79 pounds, winning $3,500. There were no weigh-ins logged for the first 12 hours as day one ended with Connecticut ahead of New York 12-0. Of the 20 places, the two-day event ended with Connecticut topping New York 16-4 under blustery seas. Congratulations to all!
Fly Fishing Clinics
The last of Captain Morgan’s Day on the Flats fly fishing clinics for 2019 is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14. Meet and work one-on-one with three certified, highly skilled, and experienced instructors on Long Island Sound to enhance your fly fishing adventures. Space is limited. Call 203-245-8665 or stop in the shop to register. The cost of $225 includes lunch and beverage.
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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