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07/29/2021 12:00 AMWe have finally gotten into the swing of summer, where these flip-flopping weather fronts and troughs have given us a slight taste of, do I dare say, fall? One minute we’re in the air conditioning trying to neutralize sizzling heat and, not long after, doors and windows will be opened to take advantage of a brisk northern breeze.
Although the break in the high temperatures and humidity is welcome, it sure puts a damper on any long- or even short-term plans.
Naturally, fish react to these changes, too. Their heat and air conditioning switches revolve more around water temperatures that help regulate their internal organs. If it’s too warm, they seek out cooler, more oxygenated depths. If it’s too cool, the opposite reaction occurs. While most fishers concentrate on structure, tide, and current, which should all be taken into consideration, water temperature in both sweet and briny water is key to locating fish.
Knowing optimal temperature ranges of fish species certainly aids in determining possible locations where they may school. Water depth and temperature are interconnected. Bear in mind that water temperatures displayed on your chart plotter only indicates what the temperature is at transducer level and will vary greatly as the water depth varies. Black sea bass, for example, can literally be found in less than 20 to more than 120 feet of water, sometimes even at 425 feet, depending on how late into the season and how close it is to migrating offshore.
Many semi-experienced fishers look at water temperatures in order to gauge location when fish are migrating or when they will appear. Then, fishers will keep an eye on the water temperatures as they cool in order to anticipate their departure. However, during the season, fishers inquire about location and depth with little regard to a temperature break. To improve results, one should pay attention to that influential factor. It will also be an indicator as to bait schools, and that applies to both fresh and saltwater environments.
On the Water
A series of troughs, fronts, and pressure changes enveloped the area as weather affected fishing in Long Island Sound. Even wind, rain, and a tornado swept through the state, creating intermittently challenging fishing conditions in sometimes foggy and unruly seas. Not to be deterred, every window of opportunity was taken advantage of as fishers hit the 74- to 75-degree waters to fish their gear.
Summer flounder (fluke) catches are improving, but not by leaps and bounds. Short fish continue to dominate the grounds, although flukers are managing to hook into nine-pounders when drifting in deep water both in the Sound and spots fished farther east. Bucktails and an assortment of fluke rigs tipped with strips and squid teased with spearing have been paying off. When fishing deep for black sea bass, fluke have been coming up as a welcome bycatch. A little stuffed flounder served with all the trimmings can certainly brighten up the dinner table.
From west to eastern Sound, double-digit bluefish are popping up. We’re not talking about the choppers of years past, but they’re still respectable compared to what we’ve been seeing these past few years. The Atlantic menhaden are drawing them in as schools of bunker have been filling the harbors and tidal rivers. Typical of bluefish, they will chop away at baitfish, chase down plugs and flashy spoons, and climb the water column for a diamond jig—with or without the benefit of a strip of bait. While working the lower water column, the chances of hooking into a nice sea trout (weakfish) are good, even though sizes may now vary.
As more menhaden are streaming into the Sound, striped bass activity is perking up. Schoolies have been actively in play in most lower tidal rivers and bays, where bait has been concentrating or driven into by the blues. Sea worms, live eels, plugs, and jigs are scoring multiple times and, in the back bays, light tackle is the way to go. As one ventures farther offshore to many of the reefs and shoals, you will see trollers, drifters, and jiggers connecting on both flood and ebb tides. The recent Full Buck or Berry Moon has affected the tidal range. Most fishers who are taking advantage of potential bait being washed from the estuaries and flows, creating differing rip lines in the Sound, are into slot limit stripers and better.
Look for increased bottom fish activity, particularly porgy (scup). The reefs and humps have been quite active, generating catches reaching hubcap size, and the action is hot. Squid and worms are the way to go. Dogfish, skate, and northern kingfish continue to bend rods, while blue crabbers are reaping softies and fairly good-sized jimmies by scooping, trapping, or hand lining. Excellent moon tides for the clammers, too.
Inland lakes and ponds remained very active in all species, but be prepared to tangle with the ever-sprouting vegetation growth. River flows and levels are fluctuating, creating even more challenges for trout anglers. However, channel catfish catches are up.
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 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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