From commissions, councils, and management boards to individual fishery managers who represent the Atlantic states, they all agree that the Atlantic coastal striped bass population is overfished. They also agree that it’s past the time to update its Fishery Management Plan in order to address this problem, respond to public outcry, and react to the urgency accordingly.

At this fall’s virtual meeting of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)—where the Striped Bass Management Board (SBMB) was presented with a litany of recommendations, options, and findings from its Plan Development Team, Technical Committee, and Advisory Panel—the responses from those states’ representatives was as wide and varied as the list of prospects. Thus, discussions of draft Amendment 7 and its four drilled-down issues considered for public comment were underway.

The issues on the agenda that were discussed and digested included management triggers, measures to protect the 2015 class, recreational release mortality, conservation equivalency, and the scope of draft options.

Protecting the 2015 class by discussing various slot limit options versus a minimum size drew much input. It was pointed out that by not controlling catch and effort, controlling overall fishing mortality would be difficult considering how that’s a large part of it. Closures during peak prime fishing times to reduce release mortality also hit a brick wall. Furthermore, it was decided that incorporating gear restrictions to reduce release mortality would be better accomplished through education.

Granted, there was agreement by members on several fronts as ideas were traded during in-depth, vigorous discussions. However, due to the needs of individual states and regions, there were several instances where one size would not fit all, thereby leaving gaps for further discussions and compromise.

The overall consensus of what was proposed for the upcoming public document needed to be pared down to avoid becoming cumbersome and too broad to digest. Certainly, the document that will be forthcoming for comment will be more concise and with fewer options than the one presented at the meeting. Once the SBMB reviews the public comments, the policy board and commission would then approve the amendment. However, in order to fully digest what it will take to end overfishing and initiate rebuilding of the striped bass interstate stock, consideration of Draft Amendment 7 will be revisited in May 2022.

On the Water

Sloppy October weather stirred up Long Island Sound with small craft warnings, turbulent three- to four-foot seas, and gusty winds before high pressure kicked in, followed by a cold front that carried us into this week. Winds bounced from the north to the south, giving fishers pause, while water temperatures jockeyed around the mid- to high 60s, continuing to affect both near and offshore fishing. As the week progresses, we may be through with the unseasonably warm trend, but the warmer temps will hang around as they trend downward.

Although setting up on favored blackfish (tautog) spots was challenging at times, overall fishing for these bulldogs was good, marking an improvement from the previous week. The latest trawl surveys, assessments, and adjustments that came out in last week’s ASMFC Tautog Management Board meeting indicated that ’togs were not currently overfished in the Sound. Nevertheless, double-digit white chins were still at a premium with most sizes caught remaining in the three- to five-pound range and quality fish in the eight- to nine-pound range considered good catches. Live crabs were the ticket, chumming increased hookups, and the walls and nearshore reefs were places to anchor up.

The albie and bonito bite spiked in some of the mid-Sound spots, but typically didn’t last long before the schools dove for the bottom. Bottom jigging did help here, but as we all know, it is the top-water action and blazing runs that are sought most often. Epoxies and other hard, fast-retrieve lures were most productive, whether flies or conventional ones. Small with some heft was better to allow for ample casting distance unless these speedsters popped up close to your vessel.

We saw increase striped bass action with most fish caught within the slot limit or smaller. There was, however, an increase in linesiders above the slot limit that were released. Hookups came from lures ranging from topwaters, swimmers, and jigs to live eels and chunks. Reefs became magnets as many of these fish sought forage during the dawn and dusk bites. Weather was the only impact that curbed fishing opportunities with the Full Harvest Moon counteracting it.

The bluefish and sea trout (weakfish) bite continues as they are being caught with baits, trolling umbrellas, drifting bucktails, and diamond jigging. Sizes varied and locations were mostly confined to the reefs and rips with catches also being made near shore on incoming tides. These fish are not done yet before moving out, so take advantage of those hungry choppers by doing some chunking and chumming.

Fishers continue to fish for black sea bass as long as their numbers and the bite continue. It is fall and the multi-species action is varied, including these black beauties. Porgy (scup) is another fish that is being eagerly sought and their bite has also been good. In addition, the rest of the Sound’s family of bottom fish remains active including dogfish, other local sharks, sea robins, northern kingfish, triggerfish, toadfish, and few other drifters that came up with the Gulf Stream.

As we near the end of October, most of the scheduled inland waters have already been stocked with trout and Atlantic salmon at least once. That includes the Trout Management Areas, Trout Management Lakes, Wild Trout Management Lakes, and the trout parks, as well as the salmon waters. Fishing has been outstanding and that includes the lakes, ponds, and upper tidal rivers for the normal run of species such as the popular basses and catfish.

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 and much more, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Masks required inside. 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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