Printer Friendly Version - Summer Unofficially Begins and Fishing is Good

A good tide’s catch was reeled in by fishermen Will Cote and Larry Sgrignari of East Haven, Gene Calistro of Guilford, Gino Milano of Wallingford, and Lou Crisci and Bill Cote of East Haven as Captain Mike Pirri put them on striped bass and black sea bass. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Originally called Decoration Day, it has been 154 years since Memorial Day was widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic. Despite the trials and tribulations of recent years that have tested the fiber of all Americans everywhere, we hold this time of year dear.

Today, we continue to remember and honor those sacrifices made throughout the years of all service members, as well as marking this day as the unofficial beginning of summer. The season has rapidly approached as we battled inclement weather to yet again feel a fishing rod bend and hear the music of a singing drag. Fishers are anxiously waiting for their vessels to be splashed and, in spite of the glaring presence of the spinning digits at the pump, somehow we will find a way to be on, in, or near the water. It’s in our blood!

Water soothes, but it also brings challenge and relaxation. To a fisher, as we switch from May to June, it sparks a primal instinct to hunt and to bring about a catch from the water that, theoretically, hinges on a single hook and a stretch of fishing line. The rest just makes the effort easier while slanting the odds toward the fisher. As the saying goes, “We hunt striped bass, look for bluefish, sight-fish for albies, and fish for all the rest.”

Each new season brings change. What were familiar, sandy sea bottoms last year could have shifted due to stormy sea conditions that might, unbeknownst to you, alter a productive fix plugged into your GPS. Rocky structure would matter less, although it could have shoaled up, producing less of a hump on the screen. This is but one challenge that can be met where an adjustment made will make the difference between a fish being caught or not. A little food for thought. Stay safe, enjoy your season, and good fishing.

Leading into the Memorial Day weekend, air temperatures moderated into the mid- to high 70s, eclipsed by some showers, while Long Island Sound water temperatures held in the mid- to high 50s. Meanwhile, the passing cold front that caused air temps to drop from the unseasonable two-day heat spell cooled things off a bit before a frontal system created some unsettled weather. Five- to 10-knot easterly winds that turned southerly did little to upset seas, which remained around a foot.

The rush has been on for fishers to get their vessels in by the unofficial start of summer. This is partially because of tradition and partially because of the weather being somewhat cooperative, but mostly because the fishery kicked into gear. We have good schoolie action in the rivers, along the beaches, and on the reefs, with a mix of migrating and holdover stripers producing catches of slot limit fish and better. Natural live baits, chunks, and artificials have been dunked, drifted, trolled, and jigged with varying degrees of success. Try a topwater in the rivers.

Sea trout (weakfish) are liking the Sound and continuing their three-year stretch of better-than-average catches. At the moment, sizes seem to be up and there is more activity closer to shore. Whether using bucktails, flies, rigs, soft and hard plastics, squid, or sea worms, it will all come down to tide, time, and location. From the east and west ends of the Sound to the key tidal rivers is their normal route of travel. Check out the flats, humps, and rips while fishing near the bottom of the water column.

Bluefish are here! Actually, harbor blues have been around for a while, but recently, blues that could potentially fill out into the high teens by fall are showing up. Thin and razor-sleek in appearance, do not let the slim profile fool you since their resistance to be reeled in is one of the best. Top-water plugs, spoons, jigs, and baits will not be ignored. Wire leaders are a must, unless you have plenty of backup tackle to spare.

The bottom fishery activity is increasing with the rise in water temperatures. Good catches of black sea bass are being made by the reefs and humps throughout much of the Connecticut side. Rigs and squid combinations are the most productive setups. We are also seeing increased catches of porgy (scup) with some jumbos putting up a fuss when hooked. These slabs are making for a delicious meal and are typically caught using sea worms, squid, and double-hook rigs. With water temps pushing 60 degrees, the summer flounder (fluke) bite is picking up. Shorts make up the majority of catches, although some minimats to around eight pounds are being caught while drifting or fishing on or near the bottom of the water column. Squid and strips of fish fillets on bucktails with a teaser rigged above has been the go-to setup. Although some fluke are being caught close to shore in the vicinity of tidal rivers, go deep (90- to 100 feet) for any lurking doormats. June is known for some nice blackback winter flounder, so continue to check out the flats, channels, and bays.

Inland waters remain quite active, especially for trout species and freshwater basses. Rivers and trout parks have recently been stocked in time for the holiday weekend. Scented baits, worms, inline spinners, swimmers, and flies continue to produce quality fish. It is prime time for pickerel, perch, catfish, carp, sunnies, and pike. Water temps will vary with various lakes and ponds, but the bite is definitely on.

PFD Alert: Wear a personal flotation device, especially this time of year. Paddle leashes as well as rod and reel safety straps will go a long way in saving you and your gear.

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 permits, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road in 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.

A colorful catch of brown, brook, tiger, and rainbow trout caught by Eric Sogg of Guilford. Note that a tiger trout is a hybrid of a brown and brook. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan