Printer Friendly Version - Dubbed as One of the Best Striped Bass Baits

Netted in local waters for the Stony Creek Museum (open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) by Holly Hopkins, these juvenile mantis shrimp, when grown, pack a powerful punch and, as adults, can be found throughout Long Island Sound. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

Unique independent eyes, extremely fast and powerful claws, and stealthy predation prowess make mantis shrimp a force to avoid and one of the best natural striped bass baits around. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

Four generations of fishers come together as Capt. Mike Pirri puts them on fish in Long Island Sound. Pictured (bottom) are the McDonoughs—Dr. Craig, Emily, and Evie, 2, of Wallingford —with Pio and Larry Sgrignari of East Haven. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

Hurricane Ian caused massive destruction to property as this Category 4 storm with 150-mile-per-hour winds battered and flipped vessels and vehicles like coins when it made a catastrophic landfall on the west coast of Florida on Sept. 28. Photo illustration courtesy of Captain Morgan

Most people familiar with Long Island Sound have never encountered a mantis shrimp or stomatopod, which, incidentally, is not a shrimp at all. This is not surprising considering that they tend to be loners and spend most of their time hiding in rock formations or burrowing in the sea bed unless hunting prey. However, when on the prowl, they can be active during the day, at night, or at twilight.

They are best known for their lightning-fast (roughly 70 miles per hour) and powerful claws (raptorials) used to either stab or bludgeon their prey. They are sometimes even referred to as thumb splitters by those who have been less than cautious. Coupled with eyes mounted on moveable stalks that can move independently of one another (the most complex vision in the animal kingdom) and those effective claws, mantis shrimp are very effective predators and defenders of their burrows.

There are over 500 species of highly intelligent mantis shrimp in a range of sizes and rainbow colors. Although the average size of a mature adult is around 4 inches long, some can reach 15 inches or more. They can be eaten like any other shrimp—steamed, boiled, grilled, or dried and used with pepper, salt and lime, or fish sauce. Due to its unique life style, it is not surprising that this solitary, territorial reclusive hunter has an average life span of 20 years. Juveniles, though, are eaten by a variety of animals, including fish, jellyfish, and baleen whales. However, as adults, stomatopods have few predators, one of which is striped bass (Morone saxatilis).

Rarely making headlines, the Sound has a good population of adult mantis shrimp. Several of its creeks, tidal rivers, and bays offer ideal habitats for mating prior to adults heading into deeper water. Fishing with mantis shrimp should favor bottom structure, whether anchored, drifting, or casting. The utmost caution should be taken when baiting a mantis shrimp on an inline circle hook, be it through the tail or thorax. Additionally, be wary when removing the hook from the striper, because your bait may still have some life left.

Multiple cold fronts moved across the waters through midweek. A strong, pre-weekend high pressure from the Great Lakes then built before weakening. Expect an area of low pressure and tropical moisture to approach from the south as Canadian high pressure builds to the north. With such an active western Atlantic and remnants of Hurricane Ian that included some rain, 30-knot wind, higher-than-normal seas up to 5 feet, and small craft and gale warning advisories, the influence on Long Island Sound was much less than it could have been. Meanwhile, water temperatures in the Sound dropped from the low 70s into the high 60s as seas became clearer and more manageable.

Fall migration of striped bass is picking up steam as linesiders work the shallows, as well as the near and offshore reefs. There are fewer vessels working the key lower tidal rivers and the Sound’s rip lines, as is typically the case after Labor Day. Consequently, there are fewer disturbances interfering with bait schools and predatory fish. This means that fish like striped bass will be less frightened and hold at a spot longer, primarily because forage does not scatter.

Not surprisingly, topwater plugs, bucktails, spoons, swim shads, and live or chunk baits have been the season’s go-to’s. Increased numbers of over-the-slot-limit stripers have been caught on topwaters in shallow water than any other plug. As the season develops, expect more of the same, in addition to live eels getting the nod.

Bluefish continue to take topwaters, spoons, and bait with added catches made using diamond jigs. Double-digit catches have not been unusual as in the recent past, however, a smaller class of fish are around and have hit sinking flies and small lures meant for stripers. As water temps continue to dip, chopper action will intensify and, soon thereafter, snapper action will slow. For now, enjoy the fall action (including the periodic run-ins with weakfish) without the intense steady blitzing action we have experienced in the past.

Albies and bonito have made their presence known within the Sound, but as of yet, the fever pitch usually associated with their runs has not materialized. Water temps are good, forage is plentiful, and the time of year is right on, although there is a very active western Atlantic storm season underway that could be having an effect on both fishers wanting to get out on the water and the fish themselves. Ultimately, time will tell as we enter October.

Collectively, our bottom fishery remains active. Irrespective of size, fluke are being caught near shore, as well in mid-Sound depths, primarily on fluke rigs matched with squid, premium spearing, or fillet strips. Quality black sea bass that have transitioned into depths of 90 to 110 feet are chowing down on rigs baited with squid or scented swimming mullets, while porgies are attacking just about almost anything cast to them, including squid, sea worms, clams, and small jigs.

In addition, sand sharks, dogfish, sea robins, and northern kingfish are in the picture, taking anything from chunk baits, fillets, and sea worms, depending on species. Taking a turn into the estuaries, the blue crab season remains in good shape. It will remain so unless weather-driven changes occur that drastically change water salinity, clarity, and temperature. So, keep on scooping, trapping, and hand-lining these ornery, tasty critters.

Lake and pond activity has been outperforming the trout rivers, although the water levels and flows have improved and anglers are looking forward to the fall stocking. Meanwhile, as water temps gradually drop, the basses continue to be active, hammering live baits, scented ones, and artificials. The pickerel bite is very good, as are panfish, catfish (both in the lakes, ponds, and key upper tidal rivers), as well as suspended black crappie.

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 at 21 Boston Post Road, 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.