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09/26/2019 12:00 AMSummer slipped away almost unnoticed until fall rudely knocked on the door as air temperatures dipped into the low 40s. Then, warm weather briefly returned and weekenders were blessed with 80-degree temperatures before dropping back into the 70s—a reminder that the seasonal staircase is gradually moving downward.
Brilliant sunrises and sunsets told the story, creating stunning images of fishers on the water and great blue herons stalking their prey. Fall fishing is just beginning as we head toward mid-October, which most die-hard striped bass fishers consider peak season. At least in southern Connecticut (and more specifically Long Island Sound), it is the time of the fall migration, a time when linesiders are triggered to head south to the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia region or up the Hudson and even into our own state’s holdover rivers.
There, they will remain during the colder months until they return the following season. In the meantime, while the surf begins to pile on and its show off its green curls and schools of stripers, fishers are making plans. Gear is portioned together, hooks are changed, and leaders tended to. If there is a beach buggy in the picture, then that, too, is gone over, clearing the deck for this year’s round of adventures.
The next new moon is Saturday, Sept. 28 and the next full moon (Hunter’s Moon) falls on Sunday, Oct. 13. The days of mid-October could easily produce 30- to- 50-pound stripers, especially where current meets structure, creating a haven for bait to be attacked by these larger fish. Live eels will be the bait of choice, but hefty plugs or a bunker could perform equally well.
Most of these fishers will release any cow that’s caught, because they will want to continue to catch them year after year. If we want this scenario to continually be replayed, then we must be conscientious fishers and vigilant in their protection and management. By showing fewer and fewer of their numbers each season, they are asking for help. Therefore, it is up to us to answer that call by fishing wisely, keeping just what we need, and effectively releasing what we can unharmed and back into the water.
On the Water
Fall is here and a wake-up call of 43-degree early morning air temperatures called for a nudge to the thermostat. A few days later, it was 80 degrees before conditions moderated back into the 70s. However, during this period, there were seas and wind to contend with, as well as fish to be caught. Long Island Sound water temperatures dropped from the low 70s into the high 60s, sparking a flurry of fish activity.
Under the recent Full Harvest Moon, bunker schools flourished, as did hickory shad, anchovies, and other baits including crabs. These and more became fair game for practically all fish preparing for the change in season. The Sound has long been known to be an important nursery and this is the time of year for its fishery to get back into its aggressive feeding mode.
Striped bass activity perked up on the reefs with some notable catches, but mostly small- to mid-range fish. Live eels, menhaden, chunk baits, select lures, and topwater plugs have proven productive. Six Mile, Hatchett’s, Southwest, Crane’s, Long Sand Shoal, Faulkner’s, and several inshore boulder fields have seen fish caught with full stomachs. Dawn and dusk coinciding with flooding tides have been good times, although daytime action has surprised some fishers.
Bluefish action has been fair to good with mostly smaller fish taking the bait. Look for small double-digits on many of the reefs and chasing bait in the harbors and lower tidal rivers. Try jigging, trolling, ’brellas, and bucktailing in deep water for the double digits with shoulders. Snappers, on the other hand, have been an easier catch during a mid-flood tide by using the usual shiners, poppers, small lures, and flies.
Black sea bass bite has picked up particularly with small keeper-size fish caught in-shore. Large four- to five-pound humpback males remain deep water catches (110 feet), along with hubcap-size porgy (scup)—if scup fishing is your thing, now is the time. Time is running out for adding a doormat fluke to your logbook since Monday, Sept. 30 is last day of the season. Recently, there have been some decent fluke caught as they are gearing to head out.
Scout out Six Mile and Kimberly Reef to Faulkner’s for an attempt at a weakfish. The bite is still ongoing. There are plenty of sand sharks, sea robins, northern kingfish, some chub, and Spanish mackerel around, along with surges of bonito and more albies to strip a reel. For now, a mix of blue crabs continue to be caught, while fall trout stocking is underway. So keep at it!
’Tog Tourney
Blackfish (tautog) season opens in less than one month and, from Saturday, Oct. 12 through Saturday, Oct. 19, the 31st annual Veterans Memorial Blackfish Tournament is taking place. As usual, there will be prizes for the winning fish, a Calcutta, a raffle, a really cool T-shirt, and a fantastic buffet put on by Guilford’s newly remodeled VFW. Tickets are $40 and now available at the shop and the VFW. For details, call 203-245-8665.
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 fishing trips, 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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