Printer Friendly Version - Sound Fishing Has Fired Up—Inland, Too!

Matt Kelly of Boxford, Massachusetts nailed this pair of jumbo porgy (scup) to 16 inches as these popular bottom-dwellers make their way in from the continental shelf and up the coast. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Dense, early morning fog has permeated the region due to relatively warmer air that has become saturated while being moved over colder water, especially by wind. Commonly referred to as “advection fog,” it becomes a challenge to navigators, but serves as cover for predator and forage fish.

Fish feel more at ease under the cover of darkness, fog, and structure that can be either used as ambush points or camouflage. Fog has a disorienting effect, often making it confusing to sight and hearing. When fishing in foggy conditions, fishers need to be on their toes when both running their vessels or listening for telltale signs of a feeding fish. The slightest swirl, splash, or ripple can be a clue as to where to point the bow and cast.

Under normal conditions, fish (such as striped bass) may seek deeper water to forage where their ambush would be less detected. In fog or low light conditions, they will venture in closer to shore to feed on baitfish that feel less threatened. Some of the best linesiders have been caught under these precise conditions as a fisher artfully stalked a bass mudding for crabs, slurping up silversides, or engulfing menhaden.

This phenomenon isn’t limited to the marine environment only. Freshwater bass, for example, adopt similar tactics. Crawdads typically move from the depths of a lake to the shallows when darkness falls. Consequently, so do the bass in order to enjoy an evening meal. To maximize the opportunity for a hookup, an angler fishing the shallows should be stealthy, so as not to disrupt the element of surprise.

Sea and weather conditions, in part, dictate fish behavior. They follow temperature and food supply and feed to sustain life while using as little energy as possible before having to replenish. As long as their metabolism can function normally and they are not inhibited by an adverse habitat, all fish will grow and eventually reproduce. Right now, the Sound is seeing a reasonably healthy fishery and inland waters appear to be keeping up pace, even with the negative variables of invasive species attempting to make significant inroads.

Low pressure dominated through mid-week as high pressure remained north of our waters. The low weakened and drifted offshore, but returned prior to the weekend before lifting up the coast, bringing cloudy conditions and intermittent showers as air temperatures dipped below seasonal expectations and then edged upward again. Long Island Sound nearshore water temps remained in the lower 50s, while mid-Sound seemed to stabilize in the high 40s. Meanwhile, fishers caught a break from the constant wind-blown seas, even though mornings have seen dense fog.

Harbor bluefish have been schooling and feeding nearshore—close enough for fishers to cast from rocks, jetties, and piers. Dig out those spoons and jigs or soak some chunks on a rod in a sand spike during an incoming tide—great fun on a light setup, say, in 10- to 12-pound class. Three is the limit if they’ll be headed to the grill, but bleed and ice them quickly in order to preserve the food quality. It shouldn’t be much longer before we start seeing some larger fish as they pursue Atlantic menhaden into the Sound and up the coast.

Striped bass action is increasing in intensity almost daily with the only encumbrance having been the wind. Northerly winds worked in favor of shore casters, but may have had the effect of holding out schools of baitfish. Southerly winds generally pushed the bait, but inshore they wreaked havoc with casting distance. Small vessels had to deal with small craft warnings, but those fishing from ‘yaks and center consoles around 17- to 19 feet did well on the tidal flats and in the estuaries. Swim shads, curly tail mullets, bucktails, plugs, and sea worms caught fish (mostly schoolies) on both tides, especially by river bends and creek outlets. Hit the nearshore reefs and key tidal rivers for those slot limit fish and larger throwbacks of more than 40 inches that have turned the corner.

Water temps may still be a bit on the cooler side for a good sea trout (weakfish) bite and might require a little more time to develop. However, if working a few of the deeper reefs between The Race and Faulkner’s or closer to shore by a tidal river like the West Haven sandbar, fish a little deeper with some squid, worm, or fly, and you may connect with one of these earlier tide runners. They are here! Black sea bass is another fish that has been populating the Sound, even though their season doesn’t officially open in Connecticut until Saturday, May 19. However, the porgy (scup) season is beginning to shape up (minimum size now is 10 inches) as jumbos are appearing on reefs located in or about 20 feet. From here on in, it will only get better. Winter flounder are still in play.

As the saltwater ramps up, inland waters have not yielded one bit as trout action remains very good, especially with the recent stockings. Water temperatures in the lakes and ponds have increased, creating a more aggressive feeding environment for largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel, and perch. Meanwhile, in rivers like the Connecticut, channel catfish, carp, and pike have been more active than usual. White perch action has been variable, but keeping an eye on the climbing tidal water temps is a good idea if you’re anxious for some blue crabs. Look for areas of less than 10 feet and water temps of more than 59 degrees.

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 flies, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located 21 Boston Post Road in Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, we make the fisherman better.

Granddaughter Evie McDonough, 2, of Woodbridge learns what catching a trout is all about as she’s introduced to fishing by “Nonno,” Larry Sgrignari of East Haven. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan