Printer Friendly Version - Aiding the Survival Rate of Stripers Caught and Released

Ben and Bev Torres (Team Torres) of Newtown had multiple nights of successful striped bass action, but it was the non-stopping, drag ripping, rod bending behemoth that still haunts Bev. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

Pre- and post-daylight hours have been the prime time to satisfy the urge to hook into a springtime striped bass. The action, to say the least, is bordering on hyperactive as schoolies have been more than cooperative. Bays, beaches, and estuaries are providing forage and that, invariably, draws in bass and excites fishers.

Amongst those hungry schoolies less than 28 inches, one can wind up reeling in a slot limit linesider from 28- to 35 inches that may be lying low in wait of the right moment to spend its energy. Not only will these sized bass feed inshore, but they will be on the reefs, taking artificials, live, and dead baits. However, it’s back in the bays or within tidal rivers that the curve-breakers—the survivors of the school that stretch beyond 35 inches—come in alone to feed by the marsh.

Wasting little energy, they make every attack count while inhaling bunker, shad, and silversides. From a fisher’s point of view, it may be a live eel or topwater plug that can be the game changer. These are the fish that top the slot limit and must be returned to the water quickly and unharmed.

Fishing a topwater popper can generate one of the most explosive of strikes. Sometimes one can sight see a feeding striper while, other times, it is the appearance of a likely spot where a creek meets the river. Here, a bass will station while waiting for a likely meal (fish, crab, or worm) before it makes a move on it.

Under the cloak of darkness, a well-placed popper patiently waits before taking its first gulp. The rings slowly disperse, after which another gurgle is heard. More rings disperse. Then, another and another until, finally, from under the plug, the quiet surface explodes as an open mouthed, wide-gilled striper smashes the plug.

A below-the-surface fight ensues and many yards of line are taken before the drag quiets and the fish is brought to the gunwale. While still in the water, this 40-inch striper is held by its mouth, the hook is removed from its lip and, while holding its tail, is gently moved side to side to refresh the gills. After the telltale kick and splash, she’s on her way for some well-deserved rest.

So, how is the recent 28- to 35-inch slot limit holding up? After all, the purpose is to reduce release mortality of the female biomass in order to bolster the overall health of the stock. Whether striped bass caught at more than 35 inches have experienced ill-fated releases or were tossed back in order to avoid a violation ticket, one will never know. The point is that some floating, dead linesiders of more than 35 inches have been observed in local rivers, by boat launches, and in harbors that may or may not be of concern. At any rate, let’s all do our part. A proper release is important to the health of striped bass and extra care should be taken during that process, especially after a good fight.

High pressure by the south Atlantic coast held as the holiday weekend came to a close, but then weakened, allowing an eastern cold front to approach the area. Humid 90-degree air dropped about 20 degrees as another frontal system moved that front, stalling it along the mid-Atlantic states and then passing to the south and east. That opened the door for high pressure to build for the upcoming weekend and into most of the following week as air temperatures remained in the mid- to high 70s and Long Island Sound water temps fluctuated around the low- to mid 60s.

As water temps climbed, so did the fishing activity in the Big Pond as fishers hit their favorite spots for this time of year. With catches of harbor blues being caught over the past few weeks, it was a surprise to many when they hooked into long but thin racer bluefish while plugging for striped bass in the shallow reaches of the lower Connecticut River. Indications are they will forage that area until conditions change weather-wise or due to reduced forage availability. Several of the popular offshore reefs and shoals have seen similar activity, but not as pronounced. Both bait and artificials have produced hookups while casting, drifting, and trolling as these toothy critters cruise the Sound for schools of baitfish to corral.

The striped bass action remains fairly consistent. More are out on the reefs as they migrate into our waters and spread throughout the Sound. Action along the jetties, beaches, and tidal rivers is ripe with schoolies that have spilled out of their holdover tidal rivers. Soft and scented plastics, topwaters, and small bucktails have been productive. There have also been intermittent early morning and late-evening catches and releases of bass from 35- to 40 pounds in bays where baitfish have gathered and been feeding in shallow water of less than 10 feet. Live eels and plugs have been the most productive, while diamond jigging the reefs has brought slot limit fish to the surface.

Black sea bass are again looking to vie for the distinction of being one of the most-popular fish to catch in the Sound on a regular basis. Since their recent presence has been established as a fishery in our waters, catches have been consistently good. Sizes have ranged across the board as they adopted various depths according to water temperature throughout the season. There have been some good humpbacks caught in the five-pound class on squid from reefs situated nearshore and in mid-Sound depth—mostly when anchored, some on the drift. Check out the wavy bottom as a likely starting point.

If slab size porgy (scup) is on your wish list, then hit the reefs and humps for those springtime scrappers. Sizes have been outstanding and included some eye-openers. Baiting up with squid, clams, or sea worms, these scup will put a bend in anyone’s rod and can also fill a large dinner plate.

More and more anglers are running into sea trout (weakfish) as a bycatch when they are trolling or drifting for other species. Fishers are hooking into them even while fishing for black sea bass. Their spring run continues to be good and hookups improve when targeting them in known spawning travel avenues. Mostly fish eaters (sometimes sea worms and crabs), they are best fished for in low-light conditions and often in the shallow waters by estuaries.

Experienced fly fishers who know the species do well, but don’t expect to glean a lot of information regarding location.

Fishers ought to start paying attention the rest of the bottom fishery as sea robins, skate, and sand sharks make their appearance. Shad are plentiful and schools of Atlantic menhaden continue to make their way into the Sound. The estuaries are beginning to produce small blue crabs (5- to 5.5 inches from point to point) and, as water temps climb, expect some molting and growth to occur.

The last of the spring trout stocking has taken place. Catches remain good, but are weather dependent and variable. Lakes and ponds are quite active with all species as basses take the lead. Do not be fooled. Pickerel, perch, black crappie, and sunfish are right behind, as are channel catfish and northern pike working some of the key tidal rivers.

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 licenses, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days 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.

Sarah Richardson of Oakdale found out the bluefish were in when she hooked her first chopper while fishing along the Groton shore. Now, she’s the one who’s hooked! Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan