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08/31/2022 10:00 AMPound for pound, a bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) pumps a fisher’s adrenaline as good as any of the best strong swimmers around. An August snapper blue will bend a trout rod with 4-pound test line, while a fall chopper will do the same to a 20-pound class saltwater rod—even more so in fact. The runs and jumps are unmistakable as blues shred tackle and chew up plugs.
As Long Island Sound swells with schools of Atlantic menhaden, more and more fishers are experiencing the bite and fight of chopper and gator bluefish. The past few seasons have seen sporadic flurries of blues of any size, let alone numbers of them. Whether this season signals a resurgence of this overfished species or they are just congregating because of the amount of forage available remains to be seen. However, fishers are getting a taste of their reputation as a fierce fighter when hooked.
Typically, one will see bluefish finning along the shore as we approach fall. We will also see them methodically reducing a school of bunker, whether encountered out in the Sound or by corralling them in a tidal river. Their pursuit of forage (including hickory shad) is devastating and, when hooked, they will often tail walk or hunker down in the current, testing any fisher and their gear to the utmost.
This is what’s been happening lately and what undoubtedly occurred during the WICC Bluefish Tournament that took place in Long Island Sound last weekend. The first day leaderboard posted relatively small fish. Day two saw an improvement as low weights fell by the wayside and the unofficial winner took an early stand.
The unofficial results for the heaviest three bluefish caught, in pounds, are as follows. John Makrapoulos of New York took first place and won $25,000 with a catch of 16.32 pounds, Robert Anderson of New York finished second and won $7,500 with a catch of 15.39, and Colton Berger of Connecticut finished third and won $2,500 with his catch of 15.16. Additionally, Matt Morse of Connecticut finished in 20th place with a catch of 13.36 pounds, winning $100. The unofficial overall tournament results were Connecticut 14, New York 6.
Note: The U.S. bluefish fishery extends from Maine to Florida and are highly migratory. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries, the recreational fishery accounts for the majority of the bluefish total catch each year. Their population is significantly below target population levels and is undergoing a plan to rebuild the stock. In spite of this season’s impressive sizes and numbers (mostly due to large schools of Atlantic menhaden appearing in Long Island Sound) and, according to the 2021 stock assessment, bluefish are overfished and not subject to overfishing.
On the Water
A nearly stationary front remained in Long Island Sound that brought scattered showers and thunderstorms before a wave of low pressure developed, moving it through as a weak cold front took hold. High pressure built mid-week, followed by another cold front that passed through the beginning of the big bluefish weekend, and then high pressure returned prior to another cold front and high-pressure system. The Sound’s water temperatures bounced from the mid- to high-70s as seas remained relatively calm until gusty winds kicked up 2- to 4-foot waves, giving fishers some challenging moments out on the briny before settling down.
The end of August typically energizes the bluefish community as baitfish are near their peak and various contests kick off. This year, especially, forage is thick and there has been a wider range of bluefish classes in the Sound taking advantage of the inordinate amount of food. From action in the lower tidal rivers to the near shore rip lines and out on the offshore reefs, action has been impressive compared to recent years. Double digits have been not too difficult to hook, whether fishing topwater plugs, diamond jigs, spoons, umbrella rigs, or soaking bait. Even the snapper blues seem to be growing faster as more fishers gather along the beaches, bays, and harbors to cast their poppers, lures, and shiners. The limit may only be 3 bluefish, but that does not seem to interfere with the snapper tradition as catch and release takes over.
While there are not too many indications that fall is on its way, there have been a few changes in the foliage, but not much in terms of water temperature fluctuations, except during recent heat waves. Striped bass activity has been fairly consistent and all eyes are focused on signals that the fall run is fast approaching. It is a safe bet that it will arrive in southern New England sometime at the end of August and beginning of September, although it will not be the same fury seen in late September and October. However, the way this season has been shaping up, do not be surprised if it stretches out. For the time being, fish the rivers, bays, harbors, and reefs with plugs, jigs, and bait, including live eels and chunks.
Porgy (scup) fever continues all along the Sound as more fishers hit the shoreline and the many humps and reefs to join in on the catch. Seaworms, squid, and clams continue to be the popular baits. There remains plenty of scup action ahead and meals to follow. Scaling and cooking whole or filleting and preparing to taste, there will be enough to go around for those porgy pounders after a good meal. Clicking up several notches, the lure of black sea bass and their excellent meat repeatedly drives fishers to reefs to hook into these ever-popular and quite tasty fish. Deeper water continues to be more productive for humpbacks, as opposed to the shallower water that generally will yield smaller fish. Squid, by far, is the bait of choice fished with rigs and jigs.
There has been an uptick in sea trout (weakfish) catches offshore as several of the lower tidal rivers are seeing the result of the spawn with juvenile weakies showing up. Check your catch twice to be sure since the daily limit on weakfish is 1 at 16 inches. Keeper catches of summer flounder (fluke) are getting better in the Sound, even though weeding through the shorts is still an issue in some locations. Stick to 40- to 60-foot depths or better for increased chances at hooking a mini-mat. Dogfish, sand sharks, skate, sea robins, gray triggerfish, northern kingfish, toadfish, pufferfish, ladyfish, and even more cobia are also being caught and will continue to be until water temps drop.
Inland waters remain drought-affected as levels and flows need a boost of more rain. Many trout rivers remain challenging, so targeting the larger lakes for bass, pickerel, perch, crappie, and other panfish is best. Good channel catfishing can be had in the key tidal rivers. Fall will bring improved fishing!
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 crabbing supplies, 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.
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
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