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10/10/2019 12:00 AMLet the fun begin! To some, the water may seem a bit warm. For other ‘tog pullers, they know better. The way our weather has been bouncing all over the charts, water temperatures have been remaining fairly constant, but are gradually approaching a ‘tog’s optimum range, albeit slightly on the warmer side.
What this means is that there may be more searching than catching at the start. Summer catches have been limited, but still good, and September gave the ‘togs a rest. However, the waiting is over and these bulldogs had all season to grow and hone their skills. Actually, to be specific, their cunning cautiousness and strength are the key elements that keep fishers on their toes. As anyone who has experience in catching these fish knows, this species offers quite a challenge both in hooking and fighting with rod and reel.
There will be an all-out effort to hook into a classic white chin, and we all know that they are out there. Contestants in last year’s VFW ‘tog tourney worked hard to locate one and, as it turned out, a 12.47-pounder hit the scale. With two of your heaviest fish weighed to determine the winner, this tournament offers an opportunity for anyone to come into the prize money, while having a lot of fun doing it.
‘Togs love to hunt and feed among rocks and a craggy bottom, generally remaining close to cover. It is a habitat that eats tackle, while also providing protection to the fish and hazards for the fishers. They will pick apart crabs and crush clamshells as their lips gently pull in forage. If your hook is not set once their molars crush the shells and before they are expelled, the fish will most likely be lost. Additionally, inattentive fishers often miss rod tip movement, and pickups often go undetected—a good reason to hold the fishing line between your fingers. After all is said and done, the fillets of a ‘tog are a blessing to the palate. So, come join in on the enjoyment that tournament has been offering for the past 31 years.
The 31st annual Veterans Memorial Blackfish Tournament (formerly the Eddie Beauvais Tournament) begins on Saturday, Oct. 12 and will run through Saturday, Oct. 19. It culminates with a fun-filled awards banquet at Guilford’s VFW complete with prizes for first, second, and third place, along with an outstanding food spread. Tickets are $40 (includes a cool T-shirt) and are available at the shop and VFW. The deadline for registering for this popular event is Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. For details, contact Captain Morgan’s at 203-245-8665.
On the Water
It looks as though the hot days have left us for the near future. Early morning air temperatures tanked to the mid-30s, but rose to mid-60s, while Long Island Sound water temperatures hovered around the low 60s or slightly warmer. October winds and sea conditions have kicked in, along with the typical fall fishing conditions, setting up some good action in the briny.
A mix of a smaller class of striped bass and harbor blues have been active throughout the shoreline, including in many of the lower tidal rivers. For the most part, menhaden and hickory shad have been the main forage. Out on the Sound, reef action is again picking up as a new batch of 20- to 30-pound linesiders made their way into our waters. Drifting live eels, three-waying bucktails, and jigging have produced fish, while casting plugs into rocky outcrops on different stages of the flood produced some exciting moments. This is striper time and the fishing is outstanding.
Although bonito are being stalked and caught during intermittent and spotty runs in the Sound, we haven’t seen the same numbers as last season. Mid-Sound isn’t seeing the albie runs of last season, either. Those have been pretty much confined to eastern and western waters. There have been breakouts occurring, but you best have your gear ready and lures or flies already tied on. With improved weather conditions, catching should improve, and that goes for Spanish mackerel, as well.
Are we ready for some ‘togs? Blackfish (tautog) season opens in Connecticut on Thursday, Oct. 10 to a limit of three fish at 16 inches and will run through Thursday, Nov. 28. Crabs will be the No. 1 bait with jigs or rigs. Time will tell if ‘togs will start off in deep water or will be in closer. In either case, fall is known to have the best blackfish fishing of the year. Leading up to ‘tog season, black sea bass and porgy (scup) fishing have been exceptional. The inshore and offshore reefs have been stacked, and sizes have raised eyebrows. The season on both species runs through the end of the year.
Freshwater rivers and streams can definitely use some water to help with the fall trout stocking, although the colder temperatures have been a plus. In the past couple of weeks, the Hammonasset received 500 trout, the Mill received 550, Shetucket also received 550, and Natchaug received 400. Atlantic broodstock salmon to 20 inches were stocked in both the Shetucket and Naugy rivers on Oct. 4. Recently, channel catfish activity (night bite) climbed, along with fall carp. Largemouth bass catches and northern pike improved, while the smallmouth bite seemed to respond favorably to cooler temps. Evening walleye catches picked up as pickerel, perch, and sunnies remain active with variable black crappie action.
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 clam supplies, 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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