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09/04/2019 12:00 AMLast year at this time, we were in the throes of a 90-degree heat wave. Puffer fish were being caught, there was good bass fishing, and our attention was on historic Hurricane Florence that ultimately made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina with a storm surge of 13 feet, rainfall of 30 inches, and wind gusts up to 106 miles per hour.
This year, we are enjoying temperatures that are 10 degrees lower with more bluefish to catch, while seeing more fish slipping into the Sound following a late start and wondering what storms will materialize after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration boosted the number of named storms to potentially 10.
If you live by the shore, this is a good time to review storm plans and what actions need to be taken if a boat is on a mooring, especially if work takes you out of town. A battery and bilge pump check should certainly be a priority, along with making sure those lines are secured. Moorings are not designed to withstand storms, but rather as a convenience to mariners during boating season.
Not only are the eyes of New Englanders on weather disturbances at this time, fish also sense the changes. In both cases, temperature plays a big role. Warm water breathes life into a storm, as well as keeping fish around longer. Cold water does just the opposite. Right about now, coastal water temps are in the low 70s, which is enough to keep the fish from turning tail. In fact, September can turn out to be quite the month.
We will have more in the way of Atlantic bonito runs sparked by the influx of false albacore and schools of chub mackerel added to the schools of bluefish that have shown up. The Atlantic menhaden will not be going anywhere soon—at least not before the October moon, when one of the last flushes comes out of the rivers. Then, they will head offshore for the winter. Labor Day may signal the unofficial end of summer, but try telling that to the fishers (or the fish for that matter).
On the Water
Long Island Sound coastal water temperatures dipped into the low 70s during the recent chilly spell, sending a signal that fall is on the way. That kick-started activity in the Sound from the movement of baitfish to sportfish. As is normal for this time of year, seas can be predictably unpredictable, kicking up in short order before leveling off by the day’s end.
Striped bass are now more inclined to feed on many of the local reefs, in addition to venturing into the lower tidal rivers and harbors. Live eels continue to be a favorite, as are other live baits. Three-waying bucktails, jerking wire, diamond jigging, and chunking the rips are generating hookups with both schoolies and adults. Do not let the unsettled water deter you since some of the most unexpected hits come during inclement seas. If you have not used inline circle hooks while bait fishing, give them a try; just don’t set the hook. Surfers, take note and let those plugs work the nighttime suds. It is getting close to the time of getting serious.
Harbor blues to double digits are being caught on anything from chunks to lures to umbrella rigs. Subsurface fishing of late has been more productive than top water, although there is an increase in the number of catches made on surface poppers. The Race and Six Mile have been lively, while more fish are showing up at Kimberly, Faulkner’s, and The Beacon. Snappers need to grow, but are keeping fishers interested as they work flood tides with small lures, shiners, and poppers.
Better fluke in the mid- to high-20-inch range are feeding along the shoreline as they are being attracted to the snappers and spearing. Jigs tipped with squid and topped off with teasers or a sand eel are attention getters. For doormats, go deep with large strips or whole baits. Humpback hunters are also searching the deep for that trophy four-plus-pound black sea bass, but now, even the smaller fish are spreading out and there are plenty of them throughout the Sound.
Porgy (scup) are everywhere with no slow down in sight. Bottom fishing is getting more diversified as both large and really small sea robins are showing off their aggressiveness. Sand sharks are not letting up, more puffers are being caught, a few gray triggers were out on Charles Reef, northern kings along with oyster toadfish are taking worms, chub mackerel are being caught on light gear and flies, and a Spanish mackerel or two have been surprising fishers trolling lures. Hickory shad are in the lower tidal rivers and blue crabs have molted and are being hand-lined, trapped, and scooped.
Day on the Flats
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. There are only three spots left. 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 latest gear, 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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