Printer Friendly Version - Springtime Offers Surprises for Fishers

What a catch for John Tracey of Madison when, on a fishing trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica, he hooked and reeled in this unrelenting blue marlin that gave the deck hands quite a tussle. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

What do striped bass and trout have in common? Anglers! Not only that, but both fish are readily catchable and highly sought after during this period of the spring fishing season. If you think that anglers are the only interested parties, then think again. Their prime competitors, other than those casters positioned a rod’s length away, are nonetheless two of our feathered friends—eagles and osprey.

Eagles will spot their prey from a high distance and often do a talon-grabbing dive in order to secure food for the nest. More than one angler has been outperformed by a diving osprey that seemed to drop out of the sky and take hold of an angler’s hooked fish, only to return with a trout tightly secured for the flight home. Surprised can’t even begin to describe it. In some instances, eagles will not only hunt inland waters for newly stocked trout, but will scour the shoreline for menhaden and even sea ducks.

Springtime is full of surprises that offer multiple choices for anglers. The shoreline, in particular, sees a myriad of migrating fish that salts wait all winter to engage. Memories of last season on the briny melt away as one of the first casts turns into a hookup and run. The same holds true for sweet water enthusiasts as a hooked rainbow shoots for the sky and a poised angler wonders if his or her light line will hold up under the stress or be stripped away, leaving only a bare spool.

In actuality, it doesn’t matter to the individual whether or not the fish is sizable—only, I surmise, if it is to be posted. One of the first things I look for is the fisher’s facial expression. To me, that tells the whole story. The fish, well, that’s the gravy. Above all, the true value is the recreational enjoyment that is gleaned and the sharing of the excitement of those experiences with others. For many, the season already began a while ago. Others are waiting for more comfortable weather or keeping an eye on the blossoming flora for clues. All in all, it is prime time to gear up, wet a line, and welcome in another new season of fish and fishing.

We finally got a dose of rain that favorably impacted the water table and, hopefully, broke the pattern of a potential summer drought. We could use more than the 1- to 2 inches that fell, although it did improve levels and flows for our rivers and streams. Inshore Long Island Sound water temperatures are approaching 50 degrees with several of the tidal rivers surpassing that number. For comparison, though, mid-Sound is closer to the 44-degree mark, depending on depth. Several days saw intense morning fog and some unsettled seas before conditions moderated to a typical April daily tug-of-war with the weather.

The nod still goes to inland fishing, where stocking continues and the trout bite remains good. Hatches are springing up, making for better dry fly conditions, yet nymphs, droppers, and streamers are connecting with early morning and late-day fish. Natural baits are still scoring high with spin rodders and many still favor scented baits, spinners, and swimmers. Catches have varied in species and sizes and now, with better water conditions, fishing will even improve further.

Largemouth seekers have been on the lakes and ponds, taking advantage of the milder days in which the pre-spawn bite has been occurring, depending on water temps. The bite varied on key rivers, but slowed with the dip in air temps, especially in the northern sections of the state. Some of the larger lakes have seen increased smallie action, in addition to the popular rivers most fished. Yellow perch, pickerel, crappie, catfish, carp, pike, and tiger musky are some of the species being sought.

Striped bass continue to migrate into the Sound, where fresh and holdover fish are currently being caught along the shoreline, soon to be joined by fish coming from the Chesapeake and the Hudson and mixing throughout the Sound after entering from both the western and eastern ends. Live baits, fresh and fresh frozen, artificials, and flies have all generated hits. The weather either helped the cause or hindered it, but striper fishing will overcome the elements. Keep in mind the 28- to 35-inch slot limit and the mandatory use of inline circle hooks when bait fishing.

Blackfish (tautog) fishing has varied with the water depth and temperatures. Overall, catches have been on the light side, but should improve as temps rise. Indications are that they will be on the rise, along with milder weather conditions. If that holds, the last week of the spring season should see an improved catch considering the overfished status of the stock. Catches remain variable with winter flounder for two reasons: the low stock levels and the few number of fishers targeting them. Look to engage in the American shad run, as well as some schools of hickories as they join scattered schools of Atlantic menhaden.

FYI: Atlantic salmon fishing reopened on April 10 with a one-fish daily creel limit through Aug. 31. A trout and salmon stamp is needed.

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 crabbing 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.

A nice colorful brook trout like this one caught by Jerry Buccelli of Essex will certainly put a smile on any trout angler’s face. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan