Printer Friendly Version - From Fishing to Stocking Stuffers and a Wish List

Pio Sgrignari, 89, of East Haven, enjoys fishing Long Island Sound waters for striped bass and has seen many changes in their management, including recent slot limits and the use of inline circle hooks. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

December has arrived, which means that most fishers have made their seasonal adjustments. Some are still taking advantage of the rather mild weather and dealing with the salt spray. Others are experiencing success in the sweet water, while others have or are going through winterizing their vessels, making way for the next series of outdoor adventures.

These exploits can be anything from cod fishing off the rails of head boats to plying the flats in the tropics or, if cold enough, hitting the hard water to ice fish. After all, a true fisher has no bounds and will travel to wherever the fish are biting, including remote destinations.

In these times of tentative travel and the uncertainty of reservations, the armchair angler also has options. Coming off an excellent fishing season despite challenging weather conditions, there is undoubtedly gear in need of replacement, whether it’s your own, was borrowed, or lost as a guest fisher. This might be the opportune time to put a hand-picked list together that might include anything from simple terminal tackle to a complete rod and reel setup or an array of accessories from a landing or cast net to a fillet knife or a handy, well-built multi tool.

Of course, the shell fisher cannot be forgotten, nor can the blue crabber. Two of the better well-known, but often times less taken advantage of, these pastimes bring fresh tasty food to the table, along with offering the advantages of being on the shoreline and interacting with nature’s habitat. A clam rake or shucking knife or simple blue crab traps, as well as weighted throws or crab nets can provide one with the tools necessary to enjoy a tide on the shellfish beds or in the estuaries.

Prior to the holiday, a cold front slammed into the region, dropping air temperatures below freezing and into the 20s before high pressure brought temps briefly back into the 50s. Another cold front made its way across our waters in time for the weekend before high pressure gradually set up, bringing more seasonable 40-degree temps. Amidst weather fluctuations and variable sea conditions ranging from calm to gale warnings, accompanied by winds gusting to 35 knots, Long Island Sound waters remained in the mid- to low-50s and continued to be unseasonably surprising.

Blackfish (tautog) fall season closed out strong as fish across a moderate size range were hooked on crabs and either hit the coolers or returned. Based on recent catches, it appeared as though the season could have stretched out a little further, at least as far as the ‘toggers were concerned. Southwest reef had been a hot spot, along with other nearshore reefs, although ‘togs have been edging farther out from those shallower depths of Guilford and New Haven harbors, Madison Reef, and Branford outcrops.

The first snow of the season turned out to be only a dusting in southern Connecticut and did little to deter anglers from taking their last casts of 2021 in the salty surf. Warm water pockets continue to hold striped bass as they congregate in eastern Sound before heading up river. The same held true for much larger fish as they found their way to western Sound, where fishers capitalized on that run. Stripers ranging from schoolie to slot limit size reacted to baits, while others hit various artificials. Needless to say, the season is winding down, but linesiders heading upriver can still be caught throughout the winter.

Any stragglers not accustomed to our winter waters and who remain here among pods of bait and warm water outflows will be here for the duration. While water generally remains on the warm side, if these migratory species attempt to leave their food source and a comfortable habitat, choosing not to remain for the duration, then their outcome will be dubious at best. This not only applies to familiar species like albies, but also ones like southern ladyfish. Any slack to be taken up would be to consider an offshore trip for black sea bass, cod, or even a jaunt to the tropics.

Our two solid inland choices are unquestionably trout and salmon. Quality catches of rainbows are ongoing, appealing to the fall enjoyment for both fly and conventional anglers. By now, most stocked breeders usually would have been reduced in numbers, although catch and release has definitely played a role in stretching out those catches. If you have not tested the salmon waters by now, then you should be as catches of broodstock fish are occurring. Lakes and ponds have variable action affected primarily by the sudden cold snaps. Nevertheless, some of those waters are still producing fish, as are scattered coves along key tidal rivers.

After a long illness, our fishing community recently lost a lover of the outdoors and a mild-mannered ardent angler of the sweet and briny. James Grabarek, 51, of Guilford was a longtime friend and patron whose passion was fishing his lake for trout and bass, often reeling in a surprise or two. Our conversations will be missed, as will his enthusiasm for the sport. Rest in peace, friend.

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 reels, 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.

Bob Barth of Guilford has been hooking into some really nice fall breeders, one of which is this stocky 23.5-inch rainbow trout caught on light spinning gear. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

We’re sad to say that James Grabarek of Guilford recently passed away following a long illness. An ardent angler and friend of the fishing community, he will be missed. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan