Printer Friendly Version - Tim to Register fo rthe 24th Annual Blackfish Tournament

Caption: Bryan Finocchio of Bozeman, MT (formerly of Madison) and his career best, midnight eel-caught 49" striped bass. At 41.05 Lbs. she could have easily hit mid-to-high 40's plus if it weren't for a "delayed" weigh-in!

A drop in water temperatures and a sudden touch of fall is just what the upcoming blackfish/tautog season needed. After a month layoff, tog-pullers are chomping at the bit to once again hook into a 'white chin' when the season re-opens on October 10th. Already, by-catches of tog are being hooked and released indicating that there will be some memorable hookups - even with the needed regulation change increasing the size limit to sixteen inches and shortening the season.

We all know that here in the northeast, tautog have been overfished and their biomass needs perking up in order to rebuild and sustain a health fishery. Thus, the change in regulations. However, that being said, fall togs are a big draw to anglers for their reputation as tough fighters and good eats - not to mention the friendly competition that a tournament brings, especially a long standing one.

Cool mornings, hot thermoses, live crabs and simple jigs/rigs are signs of a tog trip. Dropping your bait at both ends of a tidal swing will get the cautious attention of these shell-crushing, stubborn bottom bulldogs. And when they latch on, you better have your hand on the rod, otherwise you'll either miss the fish or find yourself in a tug of war you'll likely regret.

After all the catching, weighing and story telling subsides, contestants gather at Guilford VFW's end-of-day banquet where more story telling continues, delicious food and drink consumed and top cash/raffle prizes are awarded, along with a few surprises. At least that's the way it was at the last Annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tournament. And from all indications, this year's is on track to top it and be one of the best ever!

So, Mark your Calendar! October 19th-27th is the 24th Annual Eddie Beauvais Blackfish Tournament. Cash prizes for First, Second, Third and Last Place! Great raffle with loads of quality prizes! Outstanding buffet! Cool T-shirt! Register by September 30th: $35. October 1st through October 18th deadline: $40. Contact Captain Morgan for details.

The weather highlight of the week has to be the severe weather that blew in from offshore waters. Southerly winds with gusts in excess of 50kts angered Long Island Sound enough to create 6 foot waves and sweep boats off their moorings onto beaches and rocks. Several took on enough water to swamp, roll and drag, ultimately going down while still secured.

Needless to say, most fish took a feeding breather as they hunkered down in deeper water. After this episode and couple of tide changes, water temperatures recorded 71º, a drop that activated several good bites and underscored movement of Atlantic menhaden and other baitfish. Fall took no time to make its entrance and to put anglers on notice.

Eastern Sound (Tuna Alley, Fisher's, the Race/Sluiceway) saw an increase in albie/bonito activity as these 'hard-tailers' broke surface and sped from spot to spot, pursuing frantic schools of 'rain baits.' Anglers darted back and forth in open water but had little luck locking on to a school that would stay put. Striped bass, as well, cranked up their feeding as more 'linesiders' approached the shoreline and began feeding on eels, bunker and other seasonal baitfish. Several popular reefs like Bartlett, Hatchett, Cornfield, Crane, Hammonasset, Southwest, Six Mile, Charles, Faulkner, Browns, the Beacon and Townsend Ledge each had their moments.

If you are looking for fighting bluefish, head out to just about any reef. Both flood/ebb tides have been experiencing topwater/bottom activity. Pop a plug, drop a jig or dunk a chunk and you'll probably get your fill. However, residual winds form various passing weather fronts were a bone of contention. Snappers were not blown out with the storms and are still here in numbers but some rivers have eased! Similarly with blue crabs, although certain areas continue to be hot with non-stop action.

Porgy/scup remains an active fishery with many dinner plate size slabs being caught. Go deep with bigger baits to try to avoid dense schools of fist-size sea bass. To catch the real 'hump back' sea bass, search out wrecks/bumps in about 75-95 foot depths and rig up with hi-lo's or jigs and squid. Heavy weights are a must! Although slow on the reefs, fluke catches have been better closer to shore.

Fall trout stocking is about to begin. River/stream fishing has improved with the cooler temperatures and better levels. Streamers, nymphs, small swimmers and in-line spinners have been productive. Pike/crappie are biting better, large/small mouths have been nailing jigs, cranks and softies while carp/cats are taking live/dead/processed baits and panfish have not let up. Here too, freshwater angling is feeling the bite of fall.

For all things fishy including the latest gear, bait, flies/fly fishing, rod/reel repairs, clam/crabbing supplies and licenses/permits, 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...