Printer Friendly Version - How Does a Rod and Reel Fisher Measure Up?

The Branford Yacht Club’s annual Take a Vet Fishing event proved another success as captains, club members, and military veterans gathered to fish Long Island Sound. Pictured are (bottom) captain Gavin Groves and veteran Mike of Enfield, along with (top left) veteran Jerry, John, Mike, and Gavin. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

Is the measurement of a fisher based upon his or her ability to regularly catch fish, to score big ones, or to successfully challenge multiple species irrespective of size? What about the casual one who periodically wets a line when other obligations permit, but thoroughly enjoys being on or near the water and then gets excited when hooking into that occasional fish? Is there a place for this person?

Stripping away the food or feeding aspect of fishing and concentrating strictly on its recreational value, we have now delved into an area where most fishers settle. The outdoors draws people of all interests—from sports fields to the links, from race tracks to trails, and from the mountains to the slopes. The list goes on, but fishing has a different slant.

From here, we leave dry land for the water, where the challenge is completely different. Our objective does not involve a cup, fixed target, or checkered flag. It involves a fish and, in many cases, a vessel of some sort. Fishing requires concentration, coordination, manual dexterity and, of course, knowledge.

Unlike most recreational action sports, a fisher is challenging a dynamic environment and a changing habitat. Not only is the water constantly moving, but the fish move from place to place and, if you’re on a vessel, it is in motion, too. As you can see, the considerations go beyond hook, line, and sinker. Add in a marine destination, and we now introduce tidal influences and current flows.

There are so many factors that influence fishing that to solely measure a fisher’s ability by just the fish caught is only emphasizing the end result and is not a realistic picture. Even the best come up short from time to time. Other times, a first timer can make one cast his or her best catch, never to be repeated.

However, when we look at the entire effort that a skilled and experienced fisher puts forth over a period of time, it’s that sum total which results in fish consistently caught. It is that measure that elevates those to the headlines, even though in reality, less than 10 percent of those who fish will fall into that category. The rest engage to have fun and enjoy the good time spent with friends, in solitude, or by volunteering their time to assist others.

In terms of the latter, kudos go out to the Branford Yacht Club for its ongoing efforts to provide a continuing annual event for our veterans of all military branches. Spearheaded by Chairperson Hillary Mendillow of Branford, her team of volunteer captains, their vessels, and club members, more than 100 veterans were given the opportunity to break their routine and get on the water to successfully fish Long Island Sound. Breakfast, lunch, and a barbecue for all vets topped off a spectacular day. Thank you vets for your service and all of your sacrifices.

Whether your log book documents every trip, your photos do the talking, or you let memories spark conversation, this old salt thinks that you will measure up just fine as long as you are content and have a safe and good day on the water. Maybe you’ll even catch a fish or two.

A cold front moved in, followed by high pressure that set up a good weather weekend before another frontal system drove in cooler air temperatures. Seas moderated, even though offshore conditions earlier on were under small craft warnings—something that did not bode well for tuna vessels. Long Island Sound water temps held in the low 70s as overall fishing conditions remained good and the fall bite continued, accompanied by shoreline air temps dipping to the mid 40s.

Striped bass feeding definitely cranked up with linesiders smashing topwaters and swimmers nearshore and jigs offshore. Live eels have been awesome, while chunkers had their day with fishers working bucktails and trailers, as well as tube and worms. You would think that with all the Atlantic menhaden around and some hickories, the feeding action surrounding them would be better. Most fishers have been finding the opposite, although there has been some action going on at the bottom of those schools. Figure on releasing most fish, but hitting a slot limit one is still well within reach.

Harbor blues and choppers in the 8- to 10-pound range have been schooling and continue to compete with the stripers for food—mostly the smaller fish feeding inshore and the lower tidal rivers. Surface blitzes remain catch as catch can, but may improve in the days ahead. Shiny spoons, plugs, and bucktails attached to wire leaders have been the way to go. Chunkers and those setting up a slick also have been doing well. Those fishers working the reefs and rip lines have also met up with sea trout (weakfish) and some Spanish mackerel when trolling or drifting. Fishing an incoming tide is still producing snapper blues worth catching.

There have been more sightings and catches of albies and bonito within the Sound as they work the rips. Several have been caught and released using epoxies and other fast retrieving lures when sight fishing. However, don’t rule out dropping a heavier jig to the bottom when schools have been spotted in say 60 to 70 feet.

The bottom fishery also remains in good shape. The best black sea bass are biting in deep water and smaller ones in various scattered depths. Porgy (scup) fever is close to peaking as quality fish are being hooked, dressed, and brought to the table. Squid, worms, and clams are the go-to baits. Fishers continue to catch dogfish, skate, sea robins, northern kingfish, and toadfish, while blue crabbers are not done with those crabs just yet. Fall blackfish (tautog) season opens this coming weekend on Sunday, Oct. 10, and we are ready with jigs, rigs, hooks, and bait.

Fall trout stocking has begun. It is time to fish the popular rivers and the Trout Management Areas. Lake and pond fishing throughout the state has been good and is heading for another productive season. It is gearing up for a solid multi-species catch-all. Fly rodders, get ready. Conventional tacklers, check your gear. The upcoming weather conditions are shaping up to be on our side, so go for it!

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. Masks required inside. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.

It was a father and son day on the water as dad Ben Anderson, hailing from Leete’s Island in Guilford, watched his son Jay, 10, catch his best striped bass ever while fishing aboard the sport fishing vessel Osprey. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan