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05/20/2021 12:00 AMAs we approach the Memorial Day holiday weekend, it seems as though it was just yesterday that many inland anglers made their first casts for trout. However, nowadays the Sound’s inshore water temperatures are breaking the mid-50s, and our fishery is rapidly coming together. More fishers are hitting the briny as word of the bite has gotten out and warmer days are getting longer.
If one were to meander through local boat yards, the sound of sanders can be heard and the scent of fresh bottom paint can readily be detected as hulls are being refreshed. Spaces between vessels are becoming more pronounced since many smaller vessels have already had their first dunk of the season.
In fact, fish scales and coughed-up small baitfish can most likely be found on those early bird boats. Upon careful inspection, one might determine that a few bluefish were boated, a run of schoolies were caught and most likely released, and, perhaps, catches of short summer flounder (fluke) occurred. Evidence of black sea bass might be there, even though water temperatures are still a little cool, but climbing. And yes, there would even be a few porgy (scup) scales attached somewhere.
This is not to imply that fishers ignore the return trip wash-down. Most do their wash-downs, especially early in the season, although there usually are clues left behind even by the most detail-oriented. Add these revelations to bursts of social media posts and word spreads like wildfire that the bite is on.
Whether anglers are capitalizing on the surge of fishing activity, embracing inland waters, focusing on migrating marine species, or splitting their time on both, they are definitely looking forward to this season on the water. After we include raking for clams on the shoreline beds and catching lively blue crabs in the rivers, you will have to go to some lengths in order to come up with a fresher, tastier meal.
On the Water
A few more dips in the air temperature, a douse of gustiness, and a series of choppy seas were left in the rear-view mirror as more moderate, dry, and warmer air took over. Inshore water temps hovered around 53 degrees, which wasn’t too different from central Sound, where they were off by only one or two degrees cooler. There is a noticeable uptick in vessel preparation as the holiday weekend gets closer and fishers are anxious to hit a fishery that is further developing with each passing day.
Striped bass continues to offer some great schoolie action along the beaches, in the lower tidal rivers, and out in the Sound. Sea worms are the No. 1 producer, along with live eels backed up by soft plastics and hard lures. Traditionally, the hours surrounding dawn and dusk have been good fishing times. However, there have even been schools of these fish taking a midday food break. The migration northward remains on course, indicating that linesiders over the slot limit are entering the Sound. Hudson fish have been caught from shore in the 40-pound range, along with a few of those that have already slipped in. Look for increased activity in the days to come.
The jury is still out on any kind of bluefish run. For now, we are seeing harbor blues caught along the shore with talk of some better-sized choppers coming out of North Jersey and Long Island. There have been scattered schools of menhaden to spice up the pot. This fishery needs help, so let us not pin our hopes on a better showing than in the past few years.
Look for sea trout (weakfish) to continue their spring run, giving casters and trollers an opportunity to secure a good catch. Depending on the opener, fluke catches varied with some of the better catches occurring in deeper water, even though some warm water channels offered a few surprises. Generally, though, shorts outperformed keepers to roughly 19 to 1. Both for weakies and fluke, squid and spearing combo scored well.
Scup need a bit more time to stack up on the reefs, unlike the sea robins, skate, and dogfish that have already hit the shores. Connecticut waters opened to black sea bass on May 19 to five fish at 15 inches, although that may change down the road.
Inland fishing is about to burst. Lakes and ponds are having excellent prespawn and spawn largemouth and smallmouth action with anglers using spinner baits, cranks, jigs, as well as other hard lures and soft plastics. Pickerel keep chasing, perch are active, black crappie are still suspended, pike have been hit or miss, while catfish and carp are working the rivers. Trout remain a hot item as rainbows, brookies, browns, and tigers offer pre-Memorial Day weekend anglers opportunities of adding an all-timer to their log book.
FYI
The State Senate unanimously approved the Long Island Sound Blue Plan on May 14. The House had unanimously approved the plan on April 26. After a long and arduous process, the Sound has added a significant layer of protection now that the Blue Plan is in full effect.
Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our domestic and international fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.
For all things fishy including fly fishing, 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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